Our team

I’m Ginia Brown. I am the Manager of Phoenix Early Learners.   I have been involved in Early Years since 1998 and have run an early years setting since September 2006, gaining 4 consecutive Outstanding Ofsted ratings during that period.  I am passionate about children’s learning and development, but also ensuring that the setting I run is a ‘family’, ensuring relationships with all family members as well as the children.  It is due to some of those relationships formed that the Board of PEL is in existence today.  In 2019 I was awarded the Belle Tutaev Lifetime Achievement Award by the Early Years Alliance which was a huge honour, being put forward by my then staff team, many of whom are still with me at Phoenix Early Learners – a team I am hugely proud of for their dedication to the setting.  I am also a member of the Bromley Safeguarding Committee

I am a passionate early years practitioner who believes every child deserves to feel safe, confident, and truly seen. I create a nurturing, inspiring environment where children can explore, express themselves, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

With a strong focus on wellbeing, I bring yoga and mindfulness into daily practice, helping children build confidence, resilience, and emotional balance from an early age. As the creator of Pip the Phoenix and founder of My Little Yogi Club, I use creativity, storytelling, art, and movement to support each child’s unique journey.

I am dedicated to giving children the very best start in life—while building trusting, supportive relationships with families every step of the way.

Shantha is the Chair of Trustees & Ofsted’s Nominated Individual. As chair, her role is to lead the board to make sure we’re providing strategic guidance so that the Phoenix is safe, compliant and well-run. As the Nominated Individual I am also the main contact for Ofsted and am responsible for the setting meeting its legal and regulatory responsibilities.

Speaking about her motivation for setting up Phoenix Early Learners, Shantha said, “all 3 of my daughters went to the previous setting and we loved being a part of the community. When it was suddenly going to close, I couldn’t accept that children, families and staff should lose something so special. The Phoenix exists because the staff are our greatest asset and we knew we could recreate our much-loved preschool, but better!”

Shantha’s day job is in the private sector with Universal Music Group, where she is Senior Director of Process Innovation. She is also a governor at Crofton Infants and Junior Schools.

Ben is our treasurer, which means he is the trustee who leads on financial matters. It was Ben#s role to set up much of the regulatory, financial, and operational foundations of Phoenix Early Learners.

Speaking about his motivation to get involved, Ben said, “2 of my 3 children went to the previous setting and benefited from the wonderful, nurturing care that the team brought every day. It gave them a great start to their educational journey. I wanted to make sure other local families had the same opportunity for their children, whilst also taking what made the setting brilliant and building a new future. ”

Ben’s day job is in the charity sector, as Chief Finance & Operating Officer at the national charity Parkinson’s UK. He is also treasurer of the national SEND charity, Contact (the charity for families with disabled children). He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.