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Team
Meet the Team
Pewsham Preschool practitioners are passionate and caring. They love their work and it shows in everything they do. Our goal is to make a positive difference on young children who come to our Preschool.
We employ 2 Preschool Managers, 1 Administrator and 6 early years practitioners. We also employ 1:1 support staff when required. All our staff are experienced, hold Ofsted-approved qualifications, current First Aid Certificates and take part in regular on-going training courses.
Our adult to child ratios are excellent and are usually:
Up to 17 children - 3 staff
18-23 children - 4 staff
24-26 children - 5 staff
All our staff, regular volunteers and committee members hold enhanced DBS checks and committee members are registered with Ofsted.
Janet Croft
Preschool Manager and Safeguarding
Officer
Janet first became involved with the preschool in 2003 when she joined the preschool committee soon taking on the role of Treasurer.
After several enjoyable years as a volunteer, Janet decided that she would like to take on a more permanent role and embarked on undertaking her Early Years qualifications, joining the childcare team in November 2007.
Over the years she has become qualified to NVQ Level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development and Level 4 in Leading and Managing a Community Based Childcare Setting.
Janet took on the role of Manager in September 2009 and enjoys the challenge of continually aiming to improve the quality of provision provided by the setting. She is also the Setting Safeguarding Lead and has attained NCFE Cache Level 2 in understanding safeguarding and prevent to help her in this role.
Barbara Heath
Preschool Manager, Health & Safety Officer and SENCO
After several years as a childminder, Barbara joined the team in November 2007 and soon became an active member of the team displaying a passion for ensuring that every child has access to the learning opportunities they deserve.
In April 2013 Barbara took on the role of Manager undertaking a range of training to ensure she was fully equipped to carry out this new role and has since also taken on the role of Health and Safety Officer.
Barbara is the Setting Deputy Safeguarding Lead and is also the Setting SENCO and has attained City and Guilds Level 3 in understanding how to support individuals with autistic spectrum conditions.
Barbara continues to remain focused on helping all the children work to their full potential.
Diane Head
Administrator and Early Years Practitioner (Bank Staff)
Diane originally became part of the preschool back in 2000 when she spent several years as a committee volunteer serving first as Treasurer then as Chairperson.
After several years away gaining new qualifications Diane returned to Pewsham Preschool in 2010 as preschool administrator and is responsible for maintaining the preschool waiting list and registering of children.
Diane has since undertaken her NVQ Level 2 qualification in Childcare, Learning and Development and has since taken on the additional role of Preschool Assistant (Bank Staff) and is enjoying her new, varied and challenging role.
Sue Shipway
Early Years Practitioner
Having always wanted a career in Childcare Sue undertook her level 2 and 3 childcare after leaving school at sixteen.
After raising her own family, Sue returned to childcare in 2004. Finding a lot had changed Sue immediately embarked on updating her qualifications to equip herself with the skills required to help her further the learning and development opportunities available to our children.
Having always kept a little of the child within herself Sue is always happiest when partaking in messy play with the children.
Jane Knight
Early Years Practitioner
Jane has been part of the Pewsham team since November 2009 although she has a long history of working in early years since 1990 and obtaining her Diploma in Preschool practice in 1996.
Jane particularly likes working with children with speech and language difficulties and to this end has undertaken Makaton (a type of sign language) and BLAST (early years speech and language programme) training.
Jane currently runs the BLAST programme at Pewsham Preschool and works to ensure that all children who attend our setting get the support and professional assistance they may need to enable them to reach their full potential when they start school.
Nicola Llewellyn
Early Years Practitioner
Nicola joined our team in May 2017 bringing with her many years of experience as a childminder and working as bank staff within a nursery environment.
Nicola holds a Level 3 diploma in Early Learning and Childcare and is looking forward to working alongside other practitioners, in a setting environment, to support children's learning and development and to continue her own professional development.
Rachel Punter
Early Years Practitioner
Rachel joined our team in September 2019 after having several years at home raising her three boys, all of whom attended our preschool.
Prior to having her own children, Rachel gained over 20 years of childcare experience working in a range of settings along with a Level 4 qualification in Childcare, Learning and Development.
Rachel enjoys creative and outdoor learning and has a real passion for ensuring children are secure, happy and learning during their time at preschool.
Danielle Mellor
Early Years Practitioner
Danielle joined the team in February 2022 although she has supported the preschool for many years in her role on our parent committee.
Danielle has previous experience of working in childcare as a nanny and in 2021 completed her level 3 diploma for the Early Years.
Danielle especially enjoys messy play, playing in the garden and reading books with the children and when at home she enjoys spending time with her family doing arts and crafts and baking.
Danielle is currently enjoying her time on maternity leave after the birth of her son.
Teryn Marlow
Early Years Practitioner
Teryn joined the team in September 2023 as bank staff while studying to complete her Level 3 diploma in Early Years.
Having recently had her third child, Teryn has decided on a career change and transitioned from her previous role in the Crown Prosecution Service to the preschool.
Teryn spent several years on our committee and her two eldest children attended the preschool.
Teryn particularly enjoys messy play and creative activities and loves outdoor play.
Keyperson
The quality and care your child receives makes a huge difference, not only to the day to day well being of your child, but also to their long-term learning and development. All practitioners within the preschool support all children daily, however it is your child's keyperson that will provide them with the experience of having one special adult to relate to. They will observe them, tailor the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to suit their specific needs and track their progress.
For parents, having a keyperson means you have your own contact at preschool. You can ask for them on the door, email them or telephone, and communicate with them via Tapestry. They will share your child's daily activities and progress with you, both through informal chats at the beginning or end of a session, and at the regular parents evening which are arranged throughout the year. Your child's keyperson will also complete a 'learning journey' diary which we encourage you to help compile. These diaries give you a good insight into your child's day and also provide a lovely colourful keepsake to treasure in years to come.
Committee
Meet the Committee
As we are a registered charity, we are managed by a parent committee. Every parent is entitled to be on the committee and an AGM is held each year when the committee for the following year is elected. Having a committee ensures major decision making is in the hands of the parents who use the preschool.
If you want to learn more about the committee or are looking to join please get in touch with Jo at pewshamchair@gmail.com.
We're always looking for new volunteers!
Jo Penrose
Chair
Peter Marlow
Treasurer
Clare Hunt
Secretary
Jenna Nicholson
Member
Hannah Simkins
Member