About Us

Our Staff

Our aim is to provide children attending Great Wood Farm with the support of qualified, passionate and committed staff. We are proud to have such a highly qualified team, we have eight staff who are qualified teachers or Early Years Professionals/Teachers, and seven with degrees, creating a graduate led team across the nursery.

Ofsted commented ‘All staff have a thorough understanding of their roles and responsibilities to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Leadership of the nursery is exceptional. Staff are well qualified and experienced. This has a positive impact on the outcomes for children.’

A Key Person system operates in each room. A key person will be your main point of contact and help your child to become settled, happy and safe.  They will be responsible for your child’s care, development and learning and take note of your child’s progress, sharing this with you via Eylog.

The Team at Great Wood Farm

Directors                   

Kathryn Spence (Office Manager)

Charlotte Littler (Office Manager) - BSc (Hons) Countryside Management, Forest School Leader Level 3

Kate Robinson (Manager, Lead Practitioner, SENCo) - BSc (Hons) Countryside Management, Early Years Professional Status, Forest School Leader Level 3

Farmer

Brian Spence (aka Farmer Brian!)

Deputy Managers      

Laura Donoyou - BA (Hons) Illustration, Cert III Early Years Education and Care, Diploma Early Years Education and Care, Early Childhood Teacher Status 

Emma Lock - NVQ (CACHE) Children and Young People's Workforce - Level 3

Lead Early Years Teacher

Robyn Burley - BA (Hons) Education Studies, Diploma Level 3, Early Years Teacher Status

Operations Manager

Michelle Harcsas - BA (Hons) Design Crafts, MA Design, Early Years Teacher Status

Early Years Teachers

Bryony Charles - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Diploma Level 3, Qualified Teacher Status 

Sharon McGown  - BA (Hons) Applied Studies (Early Childhood), EarlyYears Professional Status

Kindergarten Badgers              

Fiona Warren (Room Leader) - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Forest School Leader Level 3

Emily Alderson (Assistant Room Leader)  - BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics, Qualified Teacher Status, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary)

Robert Marlow  - Forest School and Outdoor Learning Lead Educator, Forest School Leader Level 3 

Claire Hewitt  - BSc Marine Biology, Qualified Teacher Status, Forest School Leader Level 3

Louise Lambord - Certificate in Education (Collegiate), Postgraduate Diploma in Practice of Community Education, Forest School Leader Level 3

Kindergarten Foxes  

Sheryl Schofield (Room Leader) - CACHE Diploma Level 3, Forest School Leader Level 2

Emily Lee (Assistant Room Leader) - BA (Hons) Childhood Studies - Currently on Maternity Leave

Louise Alexander

Lyndsey Hollingworth - BTEC Level 3

Zoe Cook  - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Qualified Teacher Status, Forest School Leader Level 3

Kindergarten Hares

Sammy Hawkins (Room Leader) - Diploma Level 3, Forest School Leader Level 3

Bryony Charles (Early Years Teacher) - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Qualified Teacher Status 

Emily-Mae Lane (Assistant Room Leader and Kindergarten SENDCo) - BTEC Level 3

Dee Forster - Foundation Degree in Early Years, Forest School Leader Level 3

Toddlers                   

Kitty Bailey (Room Leader) - BA (Hons) Fashion Atelier, Level 3 - Currently on Maternity Leave

Laura Donoyou (Deputy Manager and Room Leader) - BA (Hons) Illustration, Cert III Early Years Education and Care, Diploma Early Years Educaton and Care, Early Childhood Teacher Status

Sharon McGown (Early Years Teacher) - BA (Hons) Applied Studies (Early Childhood), Early Years Professional Status

Nicquita Murray (Assistant Room Leader) - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Working towards Forest School Level 3

Charlie Hames - Working towards Level 3

Evie Moules - Working towards Level 2

Jennie Evans - NNEB National Diploma in Nursery Nursing

Babies              

Rianna Collett (Room Leader) - Level 3 - Currently on Maternity Leave

Emma Lock (Deputy Manager and Room Leader) - NVQ (CACHE) Children and Young People's Workforce - Level 3

Michelle Farmer  (Assistant Room Leader) - Level 3

Lauren Hall (Assistant Room Leader) - Level 3

Charlotte Mortimer - Early Years Practitioner Level 2

Georgina Bates - Level 3

Isobel Rigley (Babies and Toddlers SENDCo) -  Level 3

Jane Brown - Working towards Level 3

Judi Allsopp

Maddy Baker - Level 3

Steph Barker - NVQ Level 3, Forest School Leader Level 3

Wendy Tremain - Working towards Level 3

Rangers

Robert Marlow (Room Leader)  - Forest School Leader Level 3 

Sammy Hawkins (Room Leader) - Diploma Level 3, Forest School Leader Level 3

Emily-Mae Lane (Assistant Room Leader and SENDCo) - BTEC Level 3

Dee Forster  - Foundation Degree in Early Years, Forest School Leader Level 3 

Karen Steptoe - Diploma Level 3

Zoe Cook  - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Qualified Teacher Status, Forest School Leader Level 3

Social Media Assistant

Totty Schofield - Early Years Teacher Status

 Kitchen

Rachel Collins (Catering Manager) 

Daniel Baker (Catering Assistant)

Lisa Baker (Catering Assistant - Bank Staff)

Tia Wills (Catering Assistant)

Office Administrators

Sara White 

Jackie Bishop

Natalie Tudor

Floaters

Aerienne Collins - Level 3 

Becca Watkin - Level 3, SEN Level 2

David King - BSc Marine Biology, PGCE in Primary Education, Working towards Forest School Level 3

Eleanor Tickler

Heather Littler

Katie Allen - BA (Hons) Education Studies

Lani Fletcher  - Working towards Level 2

Martyna Wielgus - Level 2

Maintenance Manager 

Joe Hornblow - BSc Biological Science (Ecology & Zoology), Working towards Forest School Level 3