Staff
With over 24 years’ experience of working in Early Years, Debbie leads our setting and manages our staff team. Debbie holds a BA Hons Degree in Childhood and Youth Studies, has Qualified Teacher Status and is currently working towards a National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership. Debbie also holds Level 3 Forest School Accreditation and, like all our Practitioners, is Paediatric First Aid Trained, Food Hygiene and Allergy Awareness Accredited. As well as being our Preschool Manager, Debbie is our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Health and Safety Officer and Apprentice Mentor. Debbie also works very closely with local schools and settings to foster good links within the community and to support dual setting placements and school transitions.
With a particular interest in weaving Phonics, Physical Development and STEM into our learning environment Debbie is passionate about igniting a love learning in young children to help them reach their best future potential.
Debbie has 3 children of her own and is hugely proud of them and loves encouraging them in their own skills and hobbies. She has a busy household with 2 dogs, a guinea pig and a pondful of fish but still finds time to enjoy playing netball, going on long walks and listening to music.
Kerry is our Deputy Manager and our Designated SENCo. Kerry holds a Level 5 NVQ City & Guilds Diploma in Leadership of the Children’s Workforce as well as Level 3 in both Early Years Care and Education and Forest School Accreditation. Like all our Practitioners, Kerry is Paediatric First Aid Trained as well as Food Hygiene and Allergy Awareness Accredited.
Kerry is passionate about exploring our outdoor world and she loves our Forest School Sessions, she enjoys active storytelling and inspiring the children with fun STEM activities.
Kerry has 2 young, lively boys of her and own and loves taking them out and about on long walks, trips to the beach or just enjoying being outside with friends.
Abi is one of our Early Years Practitioners as well as one of our Deputy Managers and Deputy Safeguarding Lead. Abi holds an Advanced Level 3 Children’s Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) certification and a TQUK Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistant. Like all our Practitioners, she is Paediatric First Aid Trained as well as Food Hygiene and Allergy Awareness Accredited.
Abi is very creative and shares her talents with arts and crafts in activities with the preschoolers and to transform our learning environment by upcycling and prop making. Abi is passionate about outdoor learning and being creative with natural resources, she has a particular interest in special education needs and nurturing emotional intelligence.
As a mum of three boys’ family is everything to Abi, she spends many a weekend on a pitch side cheering her boys on or enjoying larger family gatherings. Abi loves to be outside whether on long dog walks or in her garden. She is very creative and enjoys up-cycling furniture, runs a crafty club and enjoys discovering new crafting skills.
Gemma is our Early Years Assistant and is qualified with a Level 3 NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing. Like all our Practitioners, she is Paediatric First Aid Trained as well as Food Hygiene and Allergy Awareness Accredited.
Gemma works as part of our staff team, nurturing and supporting the children in their development. She loves having fun with the preschoolers, encouraging them in our sports sessions, exploring the outside and developing their creativity with arts and crafts activities.
As a mum to her young daughter and a lovable dog called Chilli her family is always busy; they enjoy being outside, swimming, dancing, roller-booting and having fun with friends.
Laura is our Early Years Apprentice and has already completed her Level 2 Early Years Practitioner certification with us and is now working towards her Level 3. Like all our Practitioners, she is Paediatric First Aid Trained as well as Food Hygiene and Allergy Awareness Accredited.
Laura supports our staff team to nurture the preschoolers in all their areas of development and enjoys working closely with our families too. Laura particularly enjoys having fun and using her creativity to set up different role play environments for the children to enjoy and encouraging them to bring it to life.
With 2 young children of her own Laura enjoys day trips, time at the beach together and catching up with friends and getting to gym when she can!
Abby, or ‘Business Abby’ as she is known in preschool, works behind the scenes. With a a BA Hons in History and MA in Museum Studies Abby brings skills and experience from her previous role as a Business Manager at a large heritage charity.
Abby is responsible for finance, admissions, compliance, recruitment and all things admin. She works from home most of the time but loves her days in the preschool getting to be a kid again playing and having fun with the preschoolers.
Abby has 2 young children of her own and getting muddy on long adventures and exploring the local area is their favourite thing to do as a family. Abby enjoys reading, cooking, yoga and being tidy!
Our supply team
The preschool has a team of regular supply staff who cover staff absences. Our supply staff are all familiar with the preschool’s ethos and know the children well. Please ask our Preschool Manager if you would like further information on our Supply Team.