Our friendly and committed staff all hold relevant Early Years qualifications and have completed Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding training. Staff continually refresh their knowledge and complete training to enhance their learning. There is so much we could say about each of our staff, here are just a few things to help you get to know us. The best way is to come in for a visit and meet us all!
Jennie is our lovely Manager who looks after everyone. She looks after the children, the families, the staff… if there’s someone who needs support, then Jennie will be there for them (she’s even been known to make special leggings for poorly stray cats). She’s our DIY expert, dealing with most of our maintenance needs herself, and she has constructed a lot of the equipment in the pre-school garden. Jennie goes above and beyond in her commitment to pre-school, spending countless hours of her free time making sure that pre-school is safe, interesting and fun for the children. Jennie uses the words ‘basically’, ‘literally’, ‘to be fair’ and ‘carnage’ all the time. To be fair, pre-school is basically literally carnage. Jennie was awarded a ‘Local Superhero’ Award in 2021 for her services to the community during the pandemic.
Jackie is our very experienced Senco (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator). She looks after all our children, giving extra special care to our children with additional needs. Working tirelessly observing, recording, planning and running language groups for our children needing that little extra support. Jackie works alongside other professionals to devise and implement individual educational plans to support those children who require them. She is always very approachable and many parents ask for her advice if they are concerned about any aspect of their child’s development. Jackie often focuses on sensory play – encouraging the children to use all of their senses to experience particular activities. The children love her fun messy play activities.
Debbie plans and runs our music and movement sessions on a Monday when we go over to the school hall. This involves activities such as dancing, singing, moving in different ways and parachute games. She also leads music sessions with instruments. Debbie sets up our mud kitchen each morning, adding herbs and flowers so that it is inviting and attractive for the children. Debbie is creative, enjoys art and craft and enhances pre-school life with fun and interesting activities. Although we do much of our planning ‘in the moment’, Debbie oversees the weekly planning of topics, books and songs, which we find gives us a helpful framework and starting point.
Liz plans and runs music and movement on a Friday. She is our sports specialist, holding qualifications in teaching gymnastics which she does at the weekend. In the summer we love to go on the school field and have mini sports days. Liz has a particular interest in autism in children. Liz loves dressing up, she has dozens of onesies and will always find a suitable dressing up outfit for each occasion! She is really talented at bringing literacy to life for the children: we particularly love her ‘Smartest Giant’ impression and the Spring Chicken dance!
Jane brings a loving calmness to our setting with her gentle encouraging manner. She is always happy to spend time helping to settle our new little ones, giving them the care and attention they need in those early days. Jane is a great team player, who is willing to get stuck in to any activity. Jane makes an excellent space mission controller, making sure Buzz lightyear, space ranger, has a safe rocket launch. Jane also spends a lot of time planning and initiating fabulous ideas for crafts and fun activities.
Michele is our resident wild animal and rare pets expert. She will often bring in her pets, Bessie the
ball python and Spike the bearded dragon, for the children to see, touch and learn about. After their visits, lots of children go home saying they would like a pet snake! Michele is originally from South Africa and she loves to talk with the children about her homeland and the animals and the food there. Michele is our assistant gardener, encouraging the children to help water and look after the flowers and vegetables when Jo is away. All the children love Shell for her great sense of humour and her firm but fair South African manner. She is the only person who can get Roo to tidy up after herself.
Roo particularly loves drama, acting out stories and bringing literacy to life. Whether it’s as Guy Fawkes, a ‘terrified’ Bristolian shepherd, or a ‘wise old man’, Roo loves to immerse herself in stories and get the children involved too. Roo loves being outside and thinks of any excuse to get the children out onto the school field: winter walk, bear hunt, safari, planting a whole forest of acorns… you name it, we’ve tried it! Roo is also our space enthusiast and rocket launch expert.
Sophie joined us in 2021 and is the youngest member of our team, bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm. She is full of energy but also has a loving, caring nature. Sophie is full of fun and always sees the best in people. She plans some great activities and loves a board game!
Clare is our Finance Officer. She keeps on top of the pre-school finances and all the changes that are thrown at her and makes it look easy. She is wonderfully professional and flexible and is happy to help with the children where needed, particularly at lunchtimes. She received great accolades for her acting as the Innkeeper in our staff nativity at Christmas.
Jo worked as a pre-school assistant for many years before retiring in 2021. She has returned as ‘bank staff’ and comes in every other Friday and whenever we need her to cover. She is our Chief Gardener and oversees the gardening at pre-school, helping the children to grow our own vegetables and then using them to make tasty recipes. Her beetroot brownies and garlic dip are legendary.
Ayla is the newest member of our team. having joined us in September 2023. Ayla primarily helps support staff to provide one to one care for our SEN children. It’s fabulous to have Ayla onboard, she is super friendly and lovely and brings a wealth of experience in childcare. Ayla is also currently working as a Health Care assistant for Paediatrics in the Emergency department of Frimley Park Hospital and will continue to do this alongside working at YCPS.
Yateley Community Pre-school