Our staff are a highly qualified, dedicated and experienced team who create a special environment.​


​​Charlotte Garratt

​Preschool Leader - Level 3, SENco and Designated Safeguarding Person

Charlotte has been working in the early years sector since 2007 where she has gained a wealth of experience and has a real passion for preschool education.  Charlotte believes that learning should be through play and exploration and that the environment is a vital factor in supporting child-led play. Charlotte is also an advocate for outdoor play and thinks that there is nothing better than making a mud pie or two and splashing in puddles! 
 
Charlotte also believes that every child has a right to education and has a wealth of experience of working with children who need additional support.  Charlotte has level 3 in Special Education Needs and Development and has taken on the role of our SENCo.  Charlotte is also our Designated Safeguarding Person and is Paediatric First Aid trained.


​​Kayte De Boise

Deputy - Level 3 Practitioner and Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP).

Kayte qualified in 2002, and has gained a wealth of childcare experience by working in a private nursery, as a nanny and as a 1:1 teaching assistant in primary schools. Kayte is qualified in emotional coaching, therapeutic behaviour and has qualifications in Speech and Language, SEN, and is also SCERTS trained. Alongside all of this Kayte is a mother of 3.

Kayte has a real passion for SEN and helping all children to grow in confidence and to reach their goals. Kayte believes in child led learning and working in partnership with parents. Kayte also has a passion for outside learning and play but also loves a bit of glitter and paint in the mark making area.


​Fiona Jordan

Preschool Practitioner - Level 3

Fiona has a Diploma in Pre-School Practice (Level 3) and is a qualified Paediatric First Aider.

Fiona shows a natural empathy for the needs of the children and instinctively shapes each session to accommodate their characteristics. And of course she is our glitter Queen and Christmas Fairy - her enthusiasm is infectious!


​​Caroline Bateman

Preschool Practitioner - Level 3 Apprentice

Caroline has been working in Early Years for over 7 years and has qualifications in Speech and Language, Language Development and Emotional Wellbeing in Early Years. She is also qualified as a Paediatric First Aider. 

Caroline is currently working towards her Early Years Educator Level 3.
 
Caroline enjoys teaching the children about nature and can often be seen in the garden holding worms and spiders and looking for mini beasts under the stones.

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Lauren Maynard​

Preschool Practitioner - Level 3 Apprentice

Lauren has a passion of making sure children are happy and cared for. She loves to be involved in play activities to help children grow and have fun.

Out of preschool she spends time going on adventures with her young son.

​​Tabitha Thorne

Preschool Practitioner - Unqualified


Tabitha joined us in April 2021 she is Paediatric First Aid trained and is looking forward to learning all about early years education.
 
Tabitha is currently raising her four children alongside her two step children with age ranges from 4 years to 23 years so has plenty of experience of looking after and nurturing young children. Tabitha can also be found on a Wednesday running the Barkway Baby and Toddler Group in the village hall.

​​Megan Buckle

Preschool Practitioner - Level 6

I have worked in childcare for just over ten years and graduated with a BA honours in 2018. I love helping children grow with confidence and independence. 
Within preschool I enjoy playing games with children as well as being creative.
 to make it your own. To edit, simply 
own words
​​Sharon Smedley
Preschool Practitioner - Unqualified
Sharon was previously a member of the pre-school committee who has on several occasions stepped in to help us out when we've needed additional cover. Her natural ability to bond with children makes her a great fit. She is currently enrolled in a college course 'Certificate in Understanding Autism' which will benefit our SEN children.

Some of her activities outside of pre-school include cooking, spending time with family, friends and all of her lovely grandchildren.