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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Claire Rocke
Dragonfly Key Person
Early Years Practitioner
NVQ Level 3
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.
Quyen Tran ​
Honeybee Key Person
Early Years Educator Level 3
Early Years Practitioner Trainee
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.
Alana Kember
​Firefly Key Person
Early Years Educator Level 3
Early Years Practitioner Apprentice
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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.
Mel Dallas​
Butterfly Key Person
Working towards Cache Level 3 Diploma in Early Years
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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.
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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!
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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!!
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I’m excited to spend time with your little ones and be apart of their journey 😊
Maria Wheeler
Office Administrator
Working towards Website Design & Social Media Marketing
My name is Maria. I am 23 Years Old. I have been living in Herne Bay for 19 Years and I previously lived in Medway when I was younger. I have been working at Briary Pre-School for 7 years, 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 enter accounts information onto spreadsheets, I track children's attendance and enter all the development tracker information. I also set up new starters, make the children's name cards and most of the photo laminates around the preschool. I maintain Tapestry, helping families set up their accounts to view their child(rens) 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 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.
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
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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
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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.
Freya Gillibrand
Augmented Support/ Cover Staff
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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.
Karen Saunders
Cover Staff
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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
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.
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I am eager to continue gaining more experience and learning as I progress in my career, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead!
Mia Cusden
Student
My name is Mia, I live in Herne Bay with my parents and older sister. I am currently working towards a T Level in Education & Early Years at Canterbury College.
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I love animals, art, dance, music and reading. I attended Briary Pre-School when I was 4 years old and after that I attended Briary Primary School and more recently Herne Bay High School.
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I stay at my Dad's house every other weekend with my 5 other siblings who range from 2 years to 16 years old. We still manage to find games and activities that we all enjoy together!
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I am excited to be back at Briary Pre-School and getting to know your little ones!
Frances Cotter ​
Volunteer
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Hello my name is Frances, I live in Herne Bay with my husband, son and daughter in law, and my grand daughter, Felicity.
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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.