Staff
"Staff work very well together as a team and are highly enthusiastic and very well motivated in providing the best care for children. Staff have established extremely secure and warm emotional attachments with their key children, and this is evident in the caring relationships observed."
- Ofsted, January 2013, (Click here to read the full report).
- Ofsted, January 2013, (Click here to read the full report).
Jo Harvey
Owner/Manager
BA (Hons) in Professional Studies in Learning and Development (Early Years).
Paediatric First Aid
Designated Person for Child Protection
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Jo began working with Pre-school children in 2001. She began her career as the Supervisor at Lamberhurst Pre-school, which subsequently transferred to Fidgets in 2006. Jo strives to ensure that Fidgets is a high quality, caring and fun nursery and Pre-school that she would be happy to send her own children to. In fact all three of her children have attended Fidgets over the years!
Owner/Manager
BA (Hons) in Professional Studies in Learning and Development (Early Years).
Paediatric First Aid
Designated Person for Child Protection
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Jo began working with Pre-school children in 2001. She began her career as the Supervisor at Lamberhurst Pre-school, which subsequently transferred to Fidgets in 2006. Jo strives to ensure that Fidgets is a high quality, caring and fun nursery and Pre-school that she would be happy to send her own children to. In fact all three of her children have attended Fidgets over the years!
Tina Butterfield
Office manager
HABC Level 2 Award in Health & Safety in the Workplace
Tina has worked for Fidgets since May 2010. She is everybody’s right hand woman and she looks after everything from ordering paint to invoicing, budgets and our nursery management software.
She is a mum of three children who keep her very busy!
Coral Saunders
House Keeper & Catering Assistant (Maternity leave)
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Level 2 Food Allergen Awareness
Coral, alongside Janie, helps to keep the Fidgets kitchen running spotlessly and on time! Coral works closely with Zebedees and the staff to ensure the children are given nutritious and tasty food each day.
Janie Burr
House Keeper & Catering Assistant
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Level 2 Food Allergen Awareness
Janie supports the essential work that happens in the kitchen keeping the children well fed and watered!
She works closely with Zebedees to ensure that all of the children’s nutritional and dietary needs are met.
House Keeper & Catering Assistant
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Level 2 Food Allergen Awareness
Janie supports the essential work that happens in the kitchen keeping the children well fed and watered!
She works closely with Zebedees to ensure that all of the children’s nutritional and dietary needs are met.
Andrea Neve
Deputy Manager
BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Professional Status
Paediatric First Aid
Designated Person for Child Protection
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Andrea joined Fidgets in September 2008 as the Baby Room Leader when it opened at the Vineyard site. She has since run The Pre-school Room too and now works supporting all the rooms.
Andrea began re-training in early years in 2007 having previously come from a business & accountancy background. She graduated from University in 2011 with her Honours Degree and Early Years Professional Status (equivalent to Early Years Teacher). She thoroughly enjoys working across all age groups in the setting and working closely with families.
Deputy Manager
BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Early Years Professional Status
Paediatric First Aid
Designated Person for Child Protection
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Andrea joined Fidgets in September 2008 as the Baby Room Leader when it opened at the Vineyard site. She has since run The Pre-school Room too and now works supporting all the rooms.
Andrea began re-training in early years in 2007 having previously come from a business & accountancy background. She graduated from University in 2011 with her Honours Degree and Early Years Professional Status (equivalent to Early Years Teacher). She thoroughly enjoys working across all age groups in the setting and working closely with families.
Jasmine Still
Toddler Room Leader & Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo)
Level 5 Early Years Foundation Degree
Paediatric First Aid
SENCo
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Jasmine originally came to Fidgets for her college placement. She then joined the team as a permanent member of staff in September 2010. Since then she has worked her way up to become a Room Leader and currently is based with the Toddlers.
Jasmine excels at providing children with opportunities and experiences to support their holistic development, always ensuring that a huge amount of fun is involved!
Jasmine has also trained as a SENCo for the setting having previous experience working with children with additional needs.
In September 2018 Jasmine is beginning a Level 3 NVQ in Counselling and is volunteering for The Samaritans in her spare time.
Toddler Room Leader & Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo)
Level 5 Early Years Foundation Degree
Paediatric First Aid
SENCo
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Jasmine originally came to Fidgets for her college placement. She then joined the team as a permanent member of staff in September 2010. Since then she has worked her way up to become a Room Leader and currently is based with the Toddlers.
Jasmine excels at providing children with opportunities and experiences to support their holistic development, always ensuring that a huge amount of fun is involved!
Jasmine has also trained as a SENCo for the setting having previous experience working with children with additional needs.
In September 2018 Jasmine is beginning a Level 3 NVQ in Counselling and is volunteering for The Samaritans in her spare time.
Alex Taylor
Kindie Room Leader
BA (HONS) in Early Childhood
Paediatric First Aid
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Alex has worked at Fidgets since June 2010, primarily in the Kindie and Baby rooms.
Her previous experience involved working with children from 3 months – 15 years when she ran a local crèche, holiday sports clubs and was a part time swimming teacher. Alex has also worked as a 1:1 carer with children with additional needs, and has a two children of her own.
Alex is particularly fond of animals and it is thanks to her that the children at Fidgets have had the opportunity to care for and learn about guinea pigs, chickens and ducks!
Alex is currently working towards her Level 3 Forest School Leaders qualification.
Emma Holmes
Pre-School Room Leader & Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo)
Level 5 Early Years Foundation Degree
Paediatric First Aid
Level 3 in Special Educational Needs
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
English as an additional language
Emma began working at Fidgets in May 2013 and rotates annually between The Kindie and Pre-School Rooms. Her previous work experience includes working for two years in a village Pre-school and working with children with additional needs.
Emma previously organised and ran a local Brownie pack in her spare time.
Tira Burrell
Baby Room Leader
Level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Tira began working at Lamberhurst Pre-school in January 2005 and transferred to Fidgets in 2006. Tira has worked across the whole setting but is now based running The Baby Room after a long stint in Kindie! Tira has also worked in the Reception Class at the local primary school as well as running and supporting the local Church Tinies group.
Hannah Martin
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Diploma in Children & Young People’s Workforce
Paediatric First Aid
Child protection & Safeguarding
Hannah has worked at Fidgets since April 2011 primarily in the Baby and Toddler Rooms, although she has worked with all of the age ranges. Her experience prior to joining Fidgets includes working in a Primary School, sessional Pre-school and another day care setting.
Hannah’s favourite thing about her job is building strong relationships with the children and their parents.
With a busy Toddler at home, Hannah has first hands experience dealing with all things under-two!
Melissa Baldwin
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Early Years NVQ
Paediatric First Aid
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Melissa first came to Fidgets as a placement student whilst she was studying her Level 3 NVQ. She has experience working across all the rooms in the setting. Now she is fully qualified, Melissa is an official member of staff primarily working in The Baby Room.
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Early Years NVQ
Paediatric First Aid
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Melissa first came to Fidgets as a placement student whilst she was studying her Level 3 NVQ. She has experience working across all the rooms in the setting. Now she is fully qualified, Melissa is an official member of staff primarily working in The Baby Room.
Abi Mead
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Early Years NVQ
Paediatric First Aid
Child protection & Safeguarding
Abi has previously done lots of work experience across all ages at other local nurseries. She joined Fidgets in 2015 and works primarily in the Kindie & Pre-school rooms. She is a big animal lover and has experience working with children with additional needs.
Lisa Needham
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Early Years NVQ
Paediatric First Aid
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Lisa has many years experience working with children and has recently returned back to Fidgets after taking a break to have her two youngest children. She is primarily based in The Pre-school Room.
Lisa is passionate about unusual animals and often brings in her many weird and wonderful pets for the children to meet.
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Early Years NVQ
Paediatric First Aid
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Lisa has many years experience working with children and has recently returned back to Fidgets after taking a break to have her two youngest children. She is primarily based in The Pre-school Room.
Lisa is passionate about unusual animals and often brings in her many weird and wonderful pets for the children to meet.
Hattie Champneys
Early Years Assistant (Maternity leave)
Child protection & Safeguarding
Hattie joined the team in January 2017 based in The Kindie Room. Coming from a marketing background Hattie fancied a change of career, and has always been passionate about working with children having previously been a childminder.
Hattie loves working outdoors so likes to get the children outside on walks come rain or shine and has already become a firm Kindie favourite!
Hattie is currently working towards her Level 3 NVQ in Early Years Education.
Sophie Saunders
Early Years Educator
Level 4 Early Childhood
Paediatric First Aid
Sophie joined in January 2019 and is based in The Kindie and Pre-School Rooms. She previously worked in another Pre-School setting for four years.
Sophie loves getting outdoors and being creative, and she will often be found making messy painting activities with the children! As a newbie to this area Sophie is loving getting out and about, exploring her new surroundings.
Sophie is currently studying towards her Early Childhood Practice Degree.
Early Years Educator
Level 4 Early Childhood
Paediatric First Aid
Sophie joined in January 2019 and is based in The Kindie and Pre-School Rooms. She previously worked in another Pre-School setting for four years.
Sophie loves getting outdoors and being creative, and she will often be found making messy painting activities with the children! As a newbie to this area Sophie is loving getting out and about, exploring her new surroundings.
Sophie is currently studying towards her Early Childhood Practice Degree.
Ellie Owens
Early Years Assistant
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
Ellie joined the team in late 2018 working across all of the rooms. She is a busy mum of two who previously worked in the leisure industry as an Operations Manager. Ellie has experience volunteering at her eldest sons Pre-School providing science and art activities for the children, and has also taught photography for East Sussex Adult Education.
Early Years Assistant
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
Ellie joined the team in late 2018 working across all of the rooms. She is a busy mum of two who previously worked in the leisure industry as an Operations Manager. Ellie has experience volunteering at her eldest sons Pre-School providing science and art activities for the children, and has also taught photography for East Sussex Adult Education.
Alex Desautels
Early Years Assistant
Alex joined in November 2018 covering sick leave in the kitchen. However it quickly became apparent the children were quite fond of him so he is now mainly working in the rooms, primarily in Toddler, Kindie and Pre-School.
Alex is a keen footballer and loves spending time outdoors so can often be seen running around the garden with the children or kicking a ball about.
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Lamberhurst Vineyard
Furnace Lane Lamberhurst Kent, TN3 8LA |
Opening hours:
M-F: 8am - 6pm Contact: Email: info@fidgetsltd.co.uk Phone: 01892 891800 |