Our Team | herne-bay

Meet the Pre-School Team

Carol Smith

Pre-School Manager SENCO & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Early Years Leadership and Management Professional Development (20 Credits)

My name is Carol and in November 2018 I took over as the Pre-school Manager, having worked previously as the Deputy Manager for 13 years. I am the SENCo, co-ordinating support for children with a range of difficulties and Designated Safeguarding Lead. I live in Greenhill with my husband and family, I have two children, my son who is now 24 and my daughter who is 28, and our lovely dogs. I previously worked as an Education Officer in an advertising and public relations company for the dairy industry, in the heart of London for 20 years. I moved to Greenhill in 2005 and quickly started volunteering here at the Pre-School, I then was appointed in September 2006. For 11 years I had my own key group, the Ladybirds, supporting children aged 2-5 years of age and supporting my Manager as Deputy.In December 2018 I was appointed as the Manager and am excited to lead our wonderful staff team to deliver and provide the best quality teaching and childcare that we can. I have been so privileged to work with so many local families over the past 17 years, some of the children that I first worked with here are now leaving school and starting their careers! Our children and families are my motivation to work here, seeing the small steps of progress and watch a child grow in their time with us is an absolute honour and a pleasure to be part of their journey.

Nicola Wheeler

Deputy Manager

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Health and Safety Officer & 2 Year Old Advocate

Early Years Leadership and Management Professional Development (20 Credits)

My name is Nicola and I live in Broomfield with my Husband, I have three children, my eldest daughter, my son and my youngest daughter and I have one beautiful grandchild. In 2006 I moved to Herne Bay, previously living in Medway. I have two cats and one dog. In November 2018, I took over as the Pre-School Deputy Manager, having worked previously as Team leader.

I have worked at Briary Pre-School for 12 Years as the Honeybee Group. I was the Key Person of the Honeybee group and Deputy Manager of Pre-School. My other roles are two year old advocates and Health and Safety Officer. I have Leaderships and Management Certificate and a Level 3 NVQ Early Years Care and Education, I am also the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

My role is to support staff and Carol my manager with the day to day of running the Pre-School as a whole team and making sure every child needs are met.

Chloe Knight

Ladybird Key Person

Deputy Team Leader

Early Years Practitoner

Level 3- Children and Young Peoples Work Force

Health & Safety Assistant

Designated Safeguarding Lead Assistant

My name is Chloe, I live in Herne Bay with my Fiance and his family. I have lived in Herne Bay for 5 Years.

I am the Ladybirds key person and I have been at Briary Pre-School since 2018, and I have loved watching all the children grow. My other roles are assistant Health and Safety Officer, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Student Mentor and team leader where I support my team when I am on ratio.

I love art and craft and often come up with unusual group time activities that are a lot of fun for my key group. I have a Level 3 in Early Years, care and education.

I have many animals and I am often out with my family.

Claire Rocke

Dragonfly Key Person

Early Years Practitioner

NVQ Level 3

My name is Claire, I live in Greenhill with my two children. My son and daughter attend Briary Primary School.

I am the Dragonflies Key Person. I previously worked with children for eleven years with a mixed group of ages from six months old up until five years old, I then decided to become a full-time Mum.

I have an NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Childcare.

Quyen Tran

Honeybee Key Person

Early Years Educator Level 3

Early Years Practitioner

Hi! My name is Quyen (sounds like Queen) I am the Honeybee Key Person, working towards my Level 3.

I live with my husband and my 2 year old daughter in Herne Common.

I have a CACHE level 3 Award in supporting teaching and learning in schools. I have been working with children over 4 years.

I worked at Briary Pre-school in 2019-2020 as a temporary Key person and I enjoyed my time there gathering more experience and memorable moments. Following a short maternity break I'm back working as the Honeybee key person.

When I'm not working I love spending time walking and playing with my family. I also like to do a bit of gardening and sewing.

Alana Kember

Firefly Key Person

Early Years Educator Level 3

Early Years Practitioner Apprentice

My name is Alana, and have lived in Herne Bay since I was born. I used to attend Briary Pre-School when I was little. I love to go on long walks with my dog Freddie around the park and exploring new places.

I was previously a student Level 2 and completed my qualification at pre-school and I am the Fireflies Key Persons. I am now an Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprentice.

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Mel Dallas

Butterfly Key Person

Working towards Cache Level 3 Diploma in Early Years

Hi! My names Mel, I have lived in Herne bay for two years now. Previously living in Medway but moving here to be closer to my family. I decided in a career change due to my love for working with children, so have been working towards my Cache Level 3 Diploma in Early Years which will be completed in mid 2024. I was lucky to start as a volunteer at Briary Pre-school and then now appointed as cover staff. I absolutely love it here at Briary. It comes with great energy, fun, always learning, with many different challenges along the way which always makes things new and exciting.

I have two children of my own a daughter who is 10 and a little boy who is 5. My youngest was lucky enough to spend a year at Briary Pre-school from which he had the best time and made forever friends who now also attend primary school together!

A little about me I love Disney, and a big kid at heart. I’m often putting on silly voices and getting into character within role playing with the children or my own. I’d say I have lots of imagination and a creative side who enjoys arts and craft. I love spending time with my family, going on trips..legoland..theme parks..seaside..zoos. I also enjoy baking cakes..me and my son make the best chocolate chip and banana muffins!!

I’m excited to spend time with your little ones and be apart of their journey 😊

Maria Wheeler

Office Administrator

Working towards Social Media Marketing Diploma

My name is Maria. I have been living in Herne Bay since 2007 and I previously lived in Medway when I was younger. I have been working at Briary Pre-School since 2018, I previously volunteered at Briary Pre-School in 2017 helping in the Office and in 2018 I was appointed as the Office Administrator.

My occupation at Briary Pre-School is the Office Administrator. I support the Pre-School with lots of administrative tasks and finance information. I maintain the Pre-School website, I enter accounts information onto spreadsheets, I track children's attendance and enter all the development tracker information, I help my Finance and Business Officer with Fees, I also set up new starters, I maintain Tapestry, helping families set up their accounts to view their childrens journal. I love supporting the preschool staff and do lots more, supporting all the staff where I can.

Lucia Wells

Business and Finance Officer

Level 6

BA Honours in Early Childhood Studies

MA in Early Childhood Education

My name is Lucia, I am the Business and Finance Officer. I am 29 Years old. I live in Herne Bay with my husband, my daughter and my son. I previously worked here before having my daughter as an admin and practitioner.

I have currently finished studying my masters degree in Early Childhood Studies. I work at the preschool four days a week completing business and finance enquiries and paperwork. I manage committee matters and support the management team.

Samantha Gambrill

Augmented Support/ Cover Staff

Hello my name is Samantha, I live in Whitstable with my husband and our daughter who recently turned 7 years old. My daughter has additional educational needs so I have personal experience of additional needs children although I’m always open to learning more. I believe that all children are equal yet individual.

I enjoy reading, swimming, long walks, watching films, the theatre especially musicals, listening to a huge variety of music I listen to music all the time. I love to bake and cook and enjoy arts and crafts with my duaghter I don’t mind a mess I usually end up in a huge mess anyway! I also enjoy quizzes and board games. I am friendly and sociable. One of the things I enjoy most is volunteering with Girl Guiding UK as a Rainbow leader we have so much fun and I’m so proud of being able to nurture the girls helping them to grow in confidence. I have some knowledge of both makaton and British Sign Language which are similar yet different!

Jessica Jno Baptise

Cover Staff

Hello my name is Jessica I have recently moved to Herne Bay and will be working in the pre- school.

I have 3 children of my own and I have always enjoyed working with children.

I have worked with children for many years and I have a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare. I’m looking forward to meeting the children.

Sarah Littlewood

Practitioner - Cover Staff/ Augmented SEND Support

Level 3 Award in Childcare and Education

Hello, my name is Sarah and I am SEND support at Briary Pre-School.

I have over three years experience in early years. This includes providing cover, interventions and one to one support. During free time, I completed my level 3 in Childcare and Education, along with many free courses such as Understanding Autism and Attachment in the Early Years.

I live in a little flat in Herne Bay, with a brilliant sea view. My interests are reading, writing, sewing, and in the warmer weather walking, and swimming in the sea. I really enjoy spending time with family, especially my sister, niece and nephew.

Freya Gillibrand

Augmented Support/ Cover Staff

My name is Freya Gillibrand, I am 30 years old and currently a university student studying Primary Education. I will be in my final year from September. As well as working at Briary pre-school I work at another school called Far Skate on a Thursday teaching maths and English. I have one daughter and also have two nephews who live with me including Mason who comes to Briary Pre-School too. I help with Ladybird and Honeybee group.

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Karen Saunders

Cover Staff

My name is Karen, I live in Herne Bay with my husband and 3 children, we love to go on woodland walks at the weekend. We also love visiting theme parks and watching motor sports and monster trucks! I love anything creative, and my current hobby is crochet. I’m also a big fan of music and singing. My favourite colour is purple, and I like the Gruffalo book and my favourite television is Encanto.

Our Students

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Amelia Lee

Student

Hi, my name is Amelia. I am currently working towards getting a qualification in Early Years Education. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to work in a Primary School for several weeks. This experience sparkled my passion for working with young children, as I found it enjoyable and rewarding.

I come from a large family, with many younger cousins. I have always had a natural connection with children which has strengthened my desire to pursue a career in this field.

I am eager to continue gaining more experience and learning as I progress in my career, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead!

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Frances Cotter

Volunteer

Hello my name is Frances, I live in Herne Bay with my husband, son and daughter in law, and my grand daughter, Felicity.

In my free time I enjoy attending sewing and crochet classes as well as spending time with family. I like dog walks on the beach with my dog Alfie, and often volunteer at the nursery to support children with their early learning as an additional hobby as I love seeing children grow and develop.

Emma Waite

Cover Staff

Early Years Practitioner (Cover Staff)

Foundation Degree in Early Years Studies

BTEC Childhood Studies

Hello my name is Emma. I work as cover staff mainly on Thursdays. I have a foundation degree in early years.

I'm new to the setting but really enjoying being part of the Briary Pre-School Team. I have worked in Early Years settings for many years and for the last 8 years in Primary School as a 1:1 support and a general teaching assistant.

I live in Herne Bay with my husband and twin girls, who now attend University. I have a very cute little dog called Teddy who is a registered pets as therapy/ reading dog. In my spare time I really enjoy going to the theatre, running, gym classes and walking my dog.