In our latest Meet the Manager blog we speak to Louise Horsfield-Novelli, who manages our Clover Court setting in Maidenbower.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I love to do crazy messy things to raise money for charity, such a muddy runs and obstacle courses. I will be doing another muddy obstacle course this year with my eldest daughter!
What is your favourite thing about coming to work?
My favourite thing about coming to work is that each day brings something new. My key focus every day is to support my team to be the best practitioners they can be and ensure they are supported to give their best to the children. Each morning when I open the door to our families I am greeted by smiles and excitement which fills my heart.
Why did you choose to work in Early Years education?
I chose to work in Early Years education because of the profound impact that early experiences have on a child’s development and future learning. During my teenage years, I completed work experience in a pre‑school in Spain, and it was there that I realised Early Years education was far more than simply playing with children, it is about shaping their foundations and fostering early curiosity and confidence. Although I had always aspired to become a teacher from a young age, these experiences helped me understand that my true passion lies specifically within the Early Years. When I returned to England that’s when I began my qualification in Early Years.
What passions do you have within the Early Years curriculum?
I am particularly passionate about Communication and Language, because I recognise how crucial it is for children’s learning, confidence, and overall development. Having personally struggled with learning Spanish as a child, I understand how challenging and isolating it can feel when you are unable to express your basic needs. This experience has strengthened my commitment to creating a language‑rich environment where all children can thrive. As a team we use a variety of strategies, such as Makaton, visual aids, songs, and rhymes, to support vocabulary development, listening skills, and early conversation. These approaches not only enhance children’s understanding but also ensure that communication is accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for every learner. To ensure our nursery is communication rich, we are working with the West Sussex SALT team to audit our environment and practice, provide further training to us as a team and develop our teaching. My aim is always to provide high‑quality interactions that help children develop the strong communication foundations essential for future learning.
What’s the best thing about Clover Court?
One of the best things about Clover Court is the strength of our staff team and the genuine, trusting relationships they build with the children. Through our effective key person approach, every child is truly seen, heard, and understood, which allows them to feel secure, confident, and ready to learn. This strong sense of belonging helps children make meaningful progress throughout our curriculum, as staff know each child’s interests, needs, and next steps. Our setting also has a real family feel, where children, staff, and parents work closely together to create a warm and nurturing environment that supports every child to flourish.
How do you create family partnerships at Clover Court?
At Clover Court, building strong and trusting family partnerships is central to everything we do. We prioritise being present each day and maintaining open, consistent communication with families about their child’s development, wellbeing, and daily achievements. Our open‑door policy allows parents to come in during drop‑off and pick‑up, giving them the opportunity to observe the environment, and see their child engaged in play. We also strengthen partnerships through parent-focused events, such as our upcoming parent first aid session in February, which provide families with valuable skills and help deepen the sense of community within our setting. By creating these opportunities for meaningful connection, we ensure families feel welcomed, informed, and fully involved in their child’s Early Years journey.n our latest Meet the Manager blog we speak to Louise Horsfield-Novelli, who manages our Clover Court setting.
For more information on Clover Court, click here.