Our People
RAFAKidz Board
The RAFAKidz Board determines strategic direction and monitors the performance and progress of our nurseries.
Nick Bunting OBE
Group CEO
Chair RAFAKidz Ltd
Nick Bunting OBE
Nick Bunting, OBE, CDir, started his career with Cadbury’s, where he held several sales, production, marketing, management, and operational roles. He then went on to work for Guinness, Pepsico and Whitworths, before becoming part of a management buy-out of the dry dog food division of Dalgety. As the Sales and Marketing Director he helped create the largest supplier of own-label dry dog food in the UK.
Nick joined the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to lead the development of refereeing and was appointed as the northern hemisphere referee representative on the International Rugby Board. He spent 14 years, in a variety of roles, latterly as a member of the Executive Committee, as the Head of Public Affairs and Operations (COO). On leaving the RFU, Nick became Chief Executive of one of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales’ charities, creating over 2,000 new businesses and 3,000 jobs.
He was the Chief Executive of the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association, where he led the organisation through a period of transformation and growth.
He has been the Secretary General and Group CEO of the Royal Air Forces Association since March 2014. Since joining, Nick has overseen the income of the Association grow by 84.4%, expenditure grow by 126.3% and its reserves increase by 38.4%. Some 85,500 members of the RAF community received support from the Association in 2019. Under his guidance the Association launched ‘RAFAKidz’ and now supports serving personnel on five RAF stations through the provision of early years care.
Outside work, Nick has held a Ministerial appointment, several non-executive directorships and acted as a trustee for a range of large charities, and is currently the lay member of the Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG) appointed by the Minister for Defence People and Veterans. In 2020 he was awarded the OBE for Services to Serving Personnel and Veterans.
Nick lives in Northamptonshire with his beautiful wife Jayne.
Rory O’Connor
Rory O’Connor
Rory joined the Royal Air Forces Association in May 2013 as the Director of Welfare and Policy. Rory came from SSAFA where he was responsible for all of the contracted SSAFA Health and Social Care services in Cyprus. He also managed the SSAFA volunteer teams.
Previous to Cyprus, Rory managed Primary and Community Health Care services in British Forces Germany. He has a wealth of experience within the Health and Social care sector. Rory resigned from the Royal Navy in 2004 having undertaken a number of tri-service postings and spending much of his service career attached to the Royal Marines.
Rory lives with his wife Alex and their 3 children in Northamptonshire.
Nicola Davies
Nicola Davies
Nicky has worked in the Early Years sector for over thirty years.
After completing her National Nursery Education Board qualification she travelled the world nannying in private homes, before working in the charity then commercial nursery sector and progressing through many different roles within Early Years in her career.
She completed a degree in Early Childhood Studies whilst managing the nursery at MOD Abbeywood. This experience in supporting serving families whilst building a strong team of dedicated nursery workers offered an insight into the challenges military families face.
Outside of work, Nicky enjoys staying active in the countryside by walking her dogs, running and horse riding. She lives with her grown-up daughter in Wiltshire.
Kristina Parkin
Kristina Parkin
With nearly two decades’ worth of finance experience within the charity sector, Kristina brings plenty of key working knowledge to the role of Chief Finance Officer for the Association, which she joined in 2021.
A graduate of Loughborough University with a BSc (Honours) in Accountancy and Financial Management, she is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Payroll and Pensions.
Kristina has previously worked for a professional membership organisation, and outside of accountancy she also performs the vital voluntary role of a magistrate for the criminal court system.
She is married to a retired firefighter, and has four grown-up children.
Rebecca Refelle
Becky Reffell
Alongside Becky’s rooted experiences and skills in education is her personal belief that children’s first years in any educational and care setting are to be filled with laughter, wonder and magic for all children.
RAFAKidz Management team
Judith Chinnery
Judith Chinnery
I am now the Quality Assurance Manager for RAFA Kidz. I’m responsible for the quality of the learning experiences that we provide for the children. I am involved in training our practitioners and ensuring they understand our ethos about our childcare provision. I work with each nursery to develop the environment so that all our children can access good quality resources. I also oversee practice and support managers in meeting all our legal requirements under the Early Years Statutory Framework.
Pamela Cave
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I’ve been the General Manager for RAFAKidz since March 2020, and have worked in the early years sector since 2003, when I completed my level 4 qualification in Childcare and Education. I then joined my first nursery at RAF Lossiemouth as an early years practitioner. I spent a number of years as a childminder and have worked in various military and civilian nurseries prior to becoming the manager of a large military nursery, and the area manager for a cluster of other military nurseries in the east midlands.
My father and my husband were both in the RAF so I fully understand and empathise with the challenges that military families face. I’m passionate about supporting our military families and the communities in which we have childcare settings. I am excited to see RAFAKidz go from strength to strength as we continue to grow and improve the services we offer, and invest in our staff and nurseries, whilst developing our relationships with our communities.
Kate Richards
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I’ve worked in early years since having children of my own, many years ago! I started work in a Children’s Centre whilst studying for my Level 3 and then my ‘Early Years Professional Status’ qualification. From there, I joined a day nursery where I felt privileged to support and teach children through all the moments of their day.
I love the magic and wonder of childhood and believe in the value and importance of high quality early years experiences, especially opportunities for children to learn outside.
Rupal Vagani
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A highly motivated individual with a keen interest in the financial industry. I have 12 years of experience with a focus on driving operational efficiency and enhancing financial performance. Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. I have worked for non-profit organisations for many years, where I could support the organisation using my financial skills. I always feel privilege to work with organisations where I can contribute towards their goal. I have two grown up kids and I enjoy my weekend walking my dog and spending time with family.
Nursery Managers
RAFAKidz Boulmer
Katie Atkinson
Katie Atkinson
I became inspired to work with children and families following a nursery work placement here at RAF Boulmer. My career has developed over the last 11 years, from achieving my level 3 childcare qualification to progressing to room leader, to deputy manager and now nursery manager. Childcare has always been a passion, I love watching children grow, learn and flourish. I understand the challenges military families face and have seen first-hand the positive impact of delivering high quality childcare can have for children and their families in the community.
As a former child of our nursery, I am so proud to be the Nursery manager at RAFAKidz Boulmer. I love being part of the great team we have here, I feel very lucky to be being able to support children, parents, families and staff.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my children and family, going to the beach and socialising with friends.
RAFAKidz Worthy Down
Stephanie Strydom
Stephanie Strydom
I have worked with children and their families for over 20 years after gaining my Level 3 in Childcare. I am part of a service family and I understand the challenges military life can bring.
I have worked in a variety of different settings such as day nurseries, schools and hospitals. I have also worked abroad, supporting military families as a radio broadcaster and volunteering with SSAFA.
I have a passion for the community and bringing people together. I love to watch children grow and blossom into their unique selves.
Outside of work I enjoy travelling, horse riding, dog walking and the great outdoors with my family.
RAFAKidz Medmenham
Amanda Brown
Amanda Brown
I have been working in childcare for over 10 years. My background is in restaurant management, and I started as a kitchen assistant at the nursery when my son started school. I then completed my Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in early years, progressed to Deputy Manager, before taking on the Manager role in 2015.
As my husband is serving in the RAF, I have been part of the RAF community for over 35 years. This has given me an understanding of needs and a passion to help service families.
My number one priority is running a nurturing and exciting environment in the nursery, ensuring all the children, parents and staff feel supported.
RAFAKidz Brize Norton
Sarah Rathbone
Sarah Rathbone
Hi, I am Sarah, the manager here at RAFAKidz Brize Norton. Having worked within the childcare sector for over 17 years I have been fortunate to work in a variety of setting both in the UK as well as supporting military families overseas in Cyprus. Alongside working with the little ones, a great passion of mine is supporting practitioners within their Early Years careers and supporting my staff to be their very best, providing outstanding care to our families.
I am a mummy of two and a military wife myself; so, come with great understanding of how our lifestyle can impact families; something that I hope to support throughout your child’s time here at Brize Norton. Whether that be through community events, supporting through a deployment or sharing a chat over a cuppa.
We look forward to welcoming you all to RAFAKidz Brize Norton.
RAFAKidz Cranwell
Katie Parkin
Katie Parkin
I have worked in childcare for over 30 years. I’m responsible for the day to day running of the nursery in Cranwell and supporting and managing the staff.
My priorities are to safeguard the children and provide a caring and safe environment for everyone.
My partner has served in the RAF for 35 years and we have two grown up children, so I pride myself on understanding and relating to what many of our nursery parents are going through day to day.
RAFAKidz Digby
Katie Tatton
Katie Tatton
I’ve been working with children for over 10 years, nine of which have been at this very nursery! I have a level three qualification in childcare as well as being a trained mental health first aider and trained in SENCO. Keen to develop even further, I’m currently working towards my level five. I have two boys of my own keeping me on my toes.
RAFAKidz Odiham
Jo Sadler
Jo Sadler
I always wanted to work with children in some way, so I studied for my level three in college and then went to work in one of the settings I had done some work experience in. This was the start of my early year’s journey. I’ve worked my way up from being a practitioner to now being a manager and I am also currently studying for my level five. I have a passion for supporting children with additional needs, so I was so keen to take on the role of special educational needs coordinator for the setting. It is a real pleasure to be able to work with children and watch them grow and to know you have played a part in shaping their futures.
RAFAKidz Leeming
Ute Oliver
Ute Oliver
I have been working in childcare for 40 years, 33 of those I have been here at Leeming.
I started my career in childcare as a volunteer Mum, and progressed on as an early year’s assistant. From there I become a Room Lead and then the Deputy Manager and Manager shortly after. I have gained many early years qualification, as well as First Aid safeguarding children, working with children with additional needs and working with Parents in Partnership.
Childcare has been a life long passion for me, in particular working with children and families in the Armed Forces, especially working with children with additional needs and vulnerable children.
I have a military background myself, three children and two grandchildren. This has given me a sound understanding of what our children and parent’s needs are.
