Our Team

Our small team of caring staff have many years’ experience between them.

Each of them is passionate about working with children, highly qualified, and loves to provide each child with individual attention suited to their needs. 

We work hard to support disabilities and Special Educational Needs (SEN), and our team includes a designated, highly qualified SEN Co-ordinator.  All staff have regular DBS checks, continued professional development and first aid training. 

Louise Johnston

Role: Preschool Manager

Qualifications: NCFE CACHE Level 5 Senior Practitioner

Best bit: I love to observe the children developing and being part of their journey as they enjoy new experiences.


Sarah Blackham

Role: Deputy Lead Practitioner and Safeguarding Officer 

Qualifications: EdExcel L3 NVQ in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

Best bit: Supporting them to build great relationships with the adults and their new friends. 


Gina Donnelly

Role: Early Years Practitioner 

Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Childcare in Education 

Best bits: Being able to share their achievements and watch them grow into independent learners.


Katie Farrance

Role: Early Years Practitioner and lead SENCo

Qualifications: NCFE Cache L3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce

Best bits: Seeing the world through the children’s eyes. Supporting their imaginative play, which empowers them to be more creative and imaginative.



Ellie Scotney

Role: Support Staff


Your child’s “Key Person” 

When your child starts here, one of our team will become their “Key Person”.  Your Key person will make your child feel special, happy and cared for.    

This helps them settle in; and then it develops into a close, trusting relationship, that will nourish learning.  

This “Key Person” will also be available for you as a main point of contact: we want to work in partnership with you, and mirror your childcare practices as far as possible, to help your child feel at home here.  They will also regularly update a personalised “learning journal” for your child, using our electronic Tapestry system. You can arrange a meeting with your Key Person whenever you wish, or have an informal chat at drop-off or pick up times. This means you will be kept fully up-to-date with your child’s adventures and development.