Staff and Qualifications

Manager - Julie Walkey

Julie has been working at the preschool since 2008. After two of her own children attended the preschool, she started helping out as a volunteer until starting work as a one-to-one helper.  She became Deputy at the end of 2015 and moved into the manager's position in 2018. 

Julie's qualifications include:

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership  for the Children's and Young People's Work Force Early Years Management.

Level 3 Diploma for Early Learning and Childcare Pathway

NVQ 2 in Children's, Care, Learning and Development

Safeguarding Lead Practitioner

Autism: The Invisible Condition

Autism: Aiding Communication through Visual Support

Autism & Social Communication Difficulties - Understanding Behaviour

Autism & Social Communication Difficulties - Developing Play

Step On

The Prevent Duty in an Early Years Environment

Level 2 Food Safety in Catering

Paediatric First Aid

Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning

Developing a Nurturing Engaging & Inspiring Outdoor Environment

A Commitment to Healthy Early Years

Child Protection training

Level 2 Functional Skills - English, Mathematics and ICT

ECAT - Every Child a Talker

Developing a Nurturing, Engaging & Inspiring Outdoor Environment for Babies, Toddler and Two Year Olds

Deputy Manager and SENDCO - Danielle Gilbert

Dani is the newest member of our staff, joining us in June 2018 but is mad enough to have fitted in straight away.  She had just arrived back in England after a 4 year posting in America with her husband and daughter.  Her qualifications include:

Safeguarding Lead Practitioner

Special Educational Needs Coordinator 

NCFE CACHE LEVEL 3 for SENCO in early years settings.

Level 3 NVQ in Children's Care, Learning and Development

Level 3 Award in Child Psychology (merit)

Special Educational Needs Certificate

Level 3 Award in ADHD Awareness (higher distinction)

Level 4 Award in Higher Learning Teaching Assistant (distinction)

SEN Higher Level 5

Paediatric First Aid

Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety

Introduction to Safeguarding Children

The Prevent Duty in an Early Years Environment Level 2

Early Years Practitioner - Amber-Rose Menzies

Amber started working at the preschool in June 2017 as an Early Years' Practitioner.  Amber has a number of roles in the setting, not least helping all other technophobic staff with IT help!

Her qualifications include:

NVQ Level 3 in childcare.

Level 2 in children and young peoples' mental health

The Prevent Duty in an early years environment

First Aid

Safeguarding in Early Years

Office Manager - Harriet Garrod

Harriet is an invaluable member of our team, dealing with all the paperwork that comes through the office.  She began her association with us as a parent, progressed to Committee Member, and is now a member of staff.  She also makes amazing cakes! (not often enough)

Liz Blakie - Bank Staff Playworker

Liz has been working at the preschool for the longest, nearly 20 years.  She was Manager for over 10 years before stepping down to allow her to spend more time with her family.  She is now semi-retired but we won't let her go completely!

Her qualifications include:

B.E.D Teaching qualification in early Years.

Paediatric Emergency First Aid

Communication and Language

Step On

Lead Practitioner Safeguarding Training

Foundation Stage Planning and Assessment Training

Helping Young Children Play together

Bank Staff - Katy Walkey

Katy attended the pre-school as a pupil in 2000/2001 and has been a regular volunteer helping in the setting and at fundraising events. In Jan 2019 Katy became a member of bank staff, whilst working and volunteering Katy is studying for her NVQ Level 3 in Childcare. 

Her other qualifications include:

The Prevent Duty in an Early Years Environment

Pediatric First Aid

Safeguarding in Early Years