The staff
The pre-school employs three members of staff. Of these, one holds a OTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and is the SENCO, and two hold a level 3 early years' qualification.
All staff are paediatric first aid trained and all staff hold current safeguarding certificates. They are also STC (Somerset Total Communication) trained and take other courses relating to childcare and education where relevant.
Sharon Smith - Pre-School Manager.
Sharon has worked in the education sector for almost three decades; she is a qualified teacher and a former headteacher. She joined the pre-school in October 2017.
Sharon completed Forest School training in 2009 and is a keen advocate and supporter of using outdoor spaces and resources to enhance children's play and learning. Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning in a woodland setting - see the link for more information. http://www.forestschools.com
Sharon is the Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO) and is the designated safeguarding leader (DSL).
Sarah Hedger - Pre-School Deputy Manager.
Sarah has over 15 years experience working within childcare and joined the pre-school in September 2012.
She holds NVQ level 3 in Early Years Care and Education, GNVQ advanced heath and social care and CACHE level 1 and 2 certificate in play work. She also holds a current level 2 food hygiene certificate.
Sheena Hamilton - Pre-School Assistant.
Sheena has over 9 years experience working within childcare and joined the pre-school in September 2018.
She holds NVQ level 3 in Children's Care Learning and Development.
Bank Staff - Jill Keates and Angela Gatling.
We operate a 'key person' system of care for the children, with each member of staff having responsibility for a particular group of children. We have found this system helps children to settle into their new environment more easily.
The staff have a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and how to promote children's learning and development. They work well with parents and other agencies to ensure each child's individual needs are met, including any additional needs. This ensures that most children make good progress considering their starting points, ages and abilities.
The pre-school is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance which keeps staff in touch with new thinking regarding pre-school education.
All staff are paediatric first aid trained and all staff hold current safeguarding certificates. They are also STC (Somerset Total Communication) trained and take other courses relating to childcare and education where relevant.
Sharon Smith - Pre-School Manager.
Sharon has worked in the education sector for almost three decades; she is a qualified teacher and a former headteacher. She joined the pre-school in October 2017.
Sharon completed Forest School training in 2009 and is a keen advocate and supporter of using outdoor spaces and resources to enhance children's play and learning. Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning in a woodland setting - see the link for more information. http://www.forestschools.com
Sharon is the Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO) and is the designated safeguarding leader (DSL).
Sarah Hedger - Pre-School Deputy Manager.
Sarah has over 15 years experience working within childcare and joined the pre-school in September 2012.
She holds NVQ level 3 in Early Years Care and Education, GNVQ advanced heath and social care and CACHE level 1 and 2 certificate in play work. She also holds a current level 2 food hygiene certificate.
Sheena Hamilton - Pre-School Assistant.
Sheena has over 9 years experience working within childcare and joined the pre-school in September 2018.
She holds NVQ level 3 in Children's Care Learning and Development.
Bank Staff - Jill Keates and Angela Gatling.
We operate a 'key person' system of care for the children, with each member of staff having responsibility for a particular group of children. We have found this system helps children to settle into their new environment more easily.
The staff have a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and how to promote children's learning and development. They work well with parents and other agencies to ensure each child's individual needs are met, including any additional needs. This ensures that most children make good progress considering their starting points, ages and abilities.
The pre-school is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance which keeps staff in touch with new thinking regarding pre-school education.