Our Team
To find more information on our staff, please click one of the three buttons below.
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For ''Our Team'', this will show you information of our staff's duties at preschool, key group, certificates and qualifications in childcare.
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For ''Staff all about us'', this will show you about our staff's personal summary, employment history, skills and qualities.
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For ''Our Committee'', this will show you our commitee team.
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Our Staff Team
Carol Smith
Manager
SENCO & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Early Years Leadership and Management Professional Development (20 Credits)
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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)
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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
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Claire Rocke
Dragonfly Key Person
Early Years Practitioner
NVQ Level 3
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Quyen Tran
Honeybee Key Person
Early Years Educator Level 3
Early Years Practitioner Trainee
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Alana Kember
Firefly Key Person
Early Years Educator Level 3
Early Years Practitioner Apprentice
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Maria Wheeler
Office Administrator
Working towards Website Design & Social Media Marketing
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Lucia Wells,
Business and Finance Officer
Level 6
BA Honours in Early Childhood Studies
MA in Early Childhood Education
Jessica Jno Baptise
Cover Staff
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Samantha Gambrill
Caterpillar Key Person
Early Years Practitioner
Carol Jenkins
Cover Staff / Augmented SEND Support
Playwork Certificate
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Sarah Littlewood
Practitioner - Cover Staff/ Augmented SEND Support
Gavin Benn
Augmented SEND Support
Mel Dallas
Volunteer Student
Charlie Hayes
Augmented SEND Support
Karen Saunders
Apprentice- Early Years
Augmented SEND Support
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Freya Gillibrand
Practitioner - Supporting Ladybirds and Cover Staff
All of our team have trained and hold up to date certificates in:
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Child Protection Training
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The Prevent Duty
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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
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Food Hygiene in Early Years, Level 2
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Paediatric First Aid
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Muscoskeletal Health
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Online Safety
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Epilepsy Awareness
Staff all about us
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.
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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.
Joined 2006
Manager
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.
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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.
Joined 2009
Deputy Manager
Joined 2018
Team Leader
Early Years Practitioner
My name is Chloe, I live in Herne Bay with my Fiance and his family. I have lived in Herne Bay for 5 Years.
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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.
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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.
My name is Claire, I am 39 Years Old. I live in Greenhill with my two children. My son and daughter attend Briary Primary School.
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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.
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I have an NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Childcare.
Joined 2018
Early Years Practitioner
Hi! My name is Quyen (sounds like Queen 👑 😊) I am the Honeybee Key Person, working towards my Level 3.
I'm 32 in October. 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.
Joined 2019
Early Years Educator Level 3 Trainee
My name is Alana, I am 18 years old 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.
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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.
Joined 2022
Apprenticeship Early Years Practitioner
Hello my name is Samantha, I am the Caterpillars Key Person. 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!
Joined 2022
Early Years Practitioner
My name is Maria. I am 23 Years Old. I live at home with my Mum and Dad. I have been living in Herne Bay for 19 Years and I previously lived in Medway when I was younger. I previously volunteered at Briary Pre-School in 2017 helping in the Office and in 2018 I was appointed as the Office Administrator.
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My occupation at Briary Pre-School is the Office Administrator. I support Carol my manager and Nicola my deputy manager with lots of administrative tasks and finance information. I maintain the Pre-School website, I track children's attendance and enter all the development tracker information. I make all of the children's name cards and all of the photo laminates in our entrance lobby. I love supporting the preschool staff and do lots more, supporting all the staff where I can.
Joined 2018
Office Administrator
My name is Lucia, I am the Business and Finance Officer. I am 27 Years old. I live in Herne Bay with my husband and my daughter aged 5. I previously worked here before having my daughter as an admin and practitioner.
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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.
Joined in January 2017
Business & Finance Officer
My name is Carol. I supply cover and I am augmented at Briary Pre-School and have been covering for 6 years.
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I live in Herne Bay with my partner and my three grandchildren. I love animals and at home we have four dogs, a hamster Pumpkin, a bearded dragon Ginger Ninja, a leopard gecko called Draco and 2 axpolotis, Brin Junior and Bubblegum, as well as lots of babies. In my spare time I like making things, walking, reading and spending time with my family.
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I have a level 2 and 3 in playwork. I have my first aid certificate and food hygiene level 2. I am also a playwork supervisor at Breakfast Club at Briary School. I cover all groups and children from time to time.
Joined 2017
SEND Augmented Support/ Supply Cover
My name is Karen, I live in Greenhill with my husband and 3 children and I have a cat called Kitty.
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I have previously volunteered on the Preschool committee for 2 years when my son attended the pre-school.
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At pre-school I work as an cover staff support practitioner and have recently completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator Award.
Joined 2020
SEND Augmented
Support / Supply Cover
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.
Joined 2022
Early Years Practitioner Support/ Supply Cover
My name is Gavin, I am augmented support, supporting a child for Lunch club. I live in Greenhill, Herne Bay with my wife and two children. My children attend Briary Primary School.
I enjoy working with children. I have previously volunteered and worked here as Support staff and the Caterpillar Key Person back in 2019.
Joined 2022
SEND Augmented Support/ Supply Cover
Hello, my name is Sarah and I am SEND support at Briary Pre-School.
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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.
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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.
Joined 2022
SEND Augmented Support/ Supply Cover
Hi my name is Charlie. I live in Herne Bay with my partner and our 4 children.
I currently work as 1:1 support for a child at the preschool and have previously worked as SEN support in nursery and primary school settings.
My interests include football (coaching, watching and playing!), reading, and spending time with my family. We love the outdoors! I am currently working towards my psychology degree.
Joined 2022
SEND Augmented Support/ Supply Cover
Board of Trustees
Hayley Benn
Trustee
Katie Smith
Trustee
Current Parent
Lauren Brooks
Trustee
Current Parent
Katherine James
Trustee
Carol Smith
Trustee & Preschool
Manager
Carol Smith
Trustee
& Preschool
Manager
