Welcome

We are so pleased you are taking the time to find out more about Little Fireflies Nursery in Uckfield

Our Mission

Your child is at the center of their own development.

At Little Fireflies Nursery Uckfield, our mission is to provide a loving, safe, and nurturing environment for children to grow and develop self-confidence. It will feel like a home away from home, a warm, comfortable, fun place to be. Our focus is the socio-emotional health and growth of children, their families, and caregivers. We believe that teaching kindness, resilience, and promoting curiosity and independence is at the heart of quality childcare. We believe that children learning resilience, independence, and curiosity and being part of a community is more important than learning ABCs and 123’s at this age. We aim for our children to experience awe and wonder in their daily activities.

The Curiosity Approach

Welcome to our nursery, where we follow the curiosity approach to nurture your child’s natural love of learning through exploration and discovery. Our environment is designed to encourage creativity, independence, and collaboration, and we value flexibility and adaptability to meet the changing needs and interests of your child.

Our Values

Our values prioritize exploration, creativity, independence, collaboration, and flexibility in order to nurture a love of learning and a sense of responsibility in children. We also value empathy, respect, and curiosity, and strive to create an environment where children can grow and develop in a supportive and inclusive setting. We believe in helping children to persevere when faced with challenges and to keep trying until they succeed.

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Our Values

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Indoor Play

Children can explore and play in our spacious, well-equipped classrooms, which are filled with engaging materials and resources to spark their interests. We also have a cozy library stocked with books and a comfortable reading nook, as well as a dedicated art studio where children can express themselves creatively. In addition, we have a quiet area for relaxation and contemplation. All of our indoor facilities are designed to be welcoming and supportive, creating a comfortable and nurturing environment for your child to learn and grow.

Outdoor Play

Our nursery boasts a range of outdoor facilities to support the curiosity approach to learning. Children can explore and play in our expansive outdoor play area, which includes a water wall, mud kitchen, and climbing structures. We also have a vegetable garden where children can learn about plants and gardening, as well as a sensory garden filled with flowers and herbs. All of these outdoor facilities provide opportunities for children to engage with nature and learn about the world around them in a hands-on, interactive way.

Outdoor Play

Forest School

We have a wonderful Forest School where, (whatever the weather), the children are able to explore the natural environment and test their limits in the natural world. Forest school activities help children develop confidence, imagination, and physical ability.

Our Staff

Debbie Buchner

Full Time

Hi. I am Debbie, Nursery owner and chief story reader! I have always worked with children and can’t imagine doing anything else. I have spent the past 28 years teaching in primary and secondary schools in the UK, South Africa, and Spain. I have an Honours Degree in Developmental Psychology and very recently ( at […]

Natalie Lang

Bank Staff

Hello, I am Natalie, co-owner, and director of Newton Lang Childcare and the managing director of the Out of School Clubs and can often be seen in our different settings including the Nursery. I have been working with children for over 12 years now and aim to inspire a passion for play, creativity, and love […]

Abbie Tester

Full Time

Hello, I’m Abbie the Manager here at Little Fireflies. I have three children of my own and have had the privilege to work with children in their early years throughout my career. My interest in how children develop led me to want to access further study-I hold Early Years Professional Status and have completed a […]

Bonnie Hankin

Full Time

I have worked within early years for over 25 years and in that time I have developed a true passion for this stage of a child’s learning. I have been a deputy manager for many years and also managed my own setting. I am an experienced SENCO and have lots of knowledge in all areas […]

Charlie Duncan

Deputy Manager, Full Time

Hi, I’m Charlie, I have worked in Early Years for over 9 years, a Deputy Manager and the 2-year lead at Little Fireflies Nursery. I have worked in a variety of different settings and have enjoyed learning bits of all other practices and ethos to make the most out of the curiosity approach. My favourite […]

Gweneth Gauld

Part Time

Working with children has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember and I’ve never considered doing anything else. I run my own child related business, teaching baby massage and sensory classes – to learn more, click here. I have two beautiful children of my own and in my spare time […]

Iris Marsh

Full Time

Hello, my name is Iris. I am 20 years old and I’ve been working in child care for nearly 4 years. I have a lot of younger children within my family. I love watching children in our care grow and develop. And I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

Beatrice Prevost

Bank Staff, Part Time

Bibi is a full-time student and helps us from time to time. She is very creative and as well as working with us, she works in the florist and does babysitting.

Poppy English

Full Time

Hi My name is Poppy. I have a little boy of my own named Reggie. I have been working in Early Years for over 5 years. I started as an apprentice and could not imagine doing anything else! I am passionate about the job and love helping young children to develop whilst having fun.

Lily Rouse

Bank Staff, Part Time

I am currently studying dance at university after working as a dance teacher of all ages for 3 years. I have been around young children all my life and enjoy helping and watching them learn and grow.

Leisy Chao-Batlle

Full Time

I hold a Level 2 Diploma and I am currently pursuing a Level 3 qualification in childcare, furthering my commitment to nurturing and educating young minds. I am very passionate about using recycled materials for crafts and turning everyday items into fun and educational experiences. While teaching future generations about saving the planet is close […]

Beth Blackford

Part Time

Hi, my name is Beth and I am 19. I have been working at Little Fireflies as a nursery practitioner for a few months now and am loving every minute of it! It’s so lovely to watch the children explore and grow every single day. I am excited to start my level 3 qualification in […]

Nicole Vasilev

Part Time

My name is Nicole, I have been in the education industry for more than 10 years, I am enthusiastic and passionate about what I do, I love being crafty and making sure that my number one priority is always to make sure that the children are learning through fun!