Staff
"Staff are attentive and responsive to all children's needs. Staff plan stimulating activities that are based on what they know children like to do and their interests. Staff know children very well. They carefully use their knowledge to develop and support all children to achieve their next steps in learning"
- Ofsted, June 2019.
- Ofsted, June 2019.
Jo Harvey
Owner/Manager
BA (Hons) in Professional Studies in Learning and Development (Early Years).
Paediatric First Aid
Designated Safeguarding Lead
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 Safeguarding Lead
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/Deputy Manager
HABC Level 2 Award in Health & Safety in the Workplace
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Tina has worked for Fidgets since May 2010, managing the business side of the company. Tina is usually the first point of contact when new families get in touch with us, and in 2021 took on the joint role of Deputy Manager alongside Sophie.
Tina loves holidaying (anywhere hot and sunny) and a spot of afternoon tea and shopping!
Rachael O'Brien
Kitchen/Housekeeping Assistant
Level 2 Award in Food Safety & Hygiene
Paediatric First Aid
Rachael joined the team in October 2020, working primarily within the kitchen meeting the nutritional needs of the children and working closely with our catering company to provide daily snacks and meals.
Rachael is passionate about dancing, having previously taught it, and enjoys bike rides. She has worked within the food industry for 12 years working as a local restaurant manager.
Kitchen/Housekeeping Assistant
Level 2 Award in Food Safety & Hygiene
Paediatric First Aid
Rachael joined the team in October 2020, working primarily within the kitchen meeting the nutritional needs of the children and working closely with our catering company to provide daily snacks and meals.
Rachael is passionate about dancing, having previously taught it, and enjoys bike rides. She has worked within the food industry for 12 years working as a local restaurant manager.
Sophie Saunders
Preschool Room Manager/Deputy Manager
BA (HONS) Early Childhood Practice
Paediatric First Aid
SENCO
Sophie joined in January 2019 and has worked in both the Kindie & Baby Room. She previously worked in another Pre-School setting for four years.
Sophie loves getting outdoors and being creative, and she will often be found taking part in messy painting activities, building giant cardboard creations or having a big dancing session with the children!
Preschool Room Manager/Deputy Manager
BA (HONS) Early Childhood Practice
Paediatric First Aid
SENCO
Sophie joined in January 2019 and has worked in both the Kindie & Baby Room. She previously worked in another Pre-School setting for four years.
Sophie loves getting outdoors and being creative, and she will often be found taking part in messy painting activities, building giant cardboard creations or having a big dancing session with the children!
Tira Burrell
Baby & Toddler Room Manager
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 & Toddler Room after a long stint in Kindie! Tira has previously worked in the Reception Class at the local primary school as well as running and supporting the local Church Tinies group.
Baby & Toddler Room Manager
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 & Toddler Room after a long stint in Kindie! Tira has previously worked in the Reception Class at the local primary school as well as running and supporting the local Church Tinies group.
Alex Taylor
Forest School Manager
BA (HONS) in Early Childhood
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Outdoor First Aid
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Alex has worked at Fidgets since June 2010. Previously, Alex worked with children aged between 3 months – 15 years when she ran a local crèche and holiday sports clubs, as well as a 1:1 carer for children with additional needs.
Alex has two children of her own, is particularly fond of animals and very passionate about outdoor education. In 2019 Alex's role changed from running The Kindie Room to Forest School Manager, working across the whole setting providing more outdoor learning opportunities, running the Forest School and holiday clubs.
Forest School Manager
BA (HONS) in Early Childhood
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Outdoor First Aid
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Alex has worked at Fidgets since June 2010. Previously, Alex worked with children aged between 3 months – 15 years when she ran a local crèche and holiday sports clubs, as well as a 1:1 carer for children with additional needs.
Alex has two children of her own, is particularly fond of animals and very passionate about outdoor education. In 2019 Alex's role changed from running The Kindie Room to Forest School Manager, working across the whole setting providing more outdoor learning opportunities, running the Forest School and holiday clubs.
Shannon Taylor
Kindie Room Trainee Manager
BA (HONS) Childhood & Youth Studies
Shannon is originally from South Africa and previously worked at Fidgets in 2019, before leaving to gain more experience at another nursery. Since leaving Shannon has completed her Childhood & Youth Studies degree and is currently completing her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Shannon is returning to head up the Kindie Room in January 2022 and is looking forward to lots of outdoor adventures and sensory messy play!
Elaine Sheard
Baby & Toddler Room Trainee Manager
Level 2 Introducing Caring for Children & Young People
Level 2 Food safety & hygiene
Level 3 Food management
Paediatric First Aid
Elaine has worked at Fidgets since 2018 originally heading up the running of the kitchen, but now works in The Baby & Toddler Room three days a week. Elaine also worked at the local Primary School for 11 years as the school cook and running their breakfast and after-school clubs. Elaine is a keen gardener and loves to bake with the children.
Elaine is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Baby & Toddler Room Trainee Manager
Level 2 Introducing Caring for Children & Young People
Level 2 Food safety & hygiene
Level 3 Food management
Paediatric First Aid
Elaine has worked at Fidgets since 2018 originally heading up the running of the kitchen, but now works in The Baby & Toddler Room three days a week. Elaine also worked at the local Primary School for 11 years as the school cook and running their breakfast and after-school clubs. Elaine is a keen gardener and loves to bake with the children.
Elaine is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Alex Desautels
Early Years Practitioner
Eggs to Apples Farm Shop 'Favourite Teacher' winner 2021!
Paediatric First Aid
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 now works with the children, primarily in the Preschool Room, as well as our woodland based outdoor holiday clubs.
Alex is a keen footballer and loves spending time outdoors so can often be seen running around the garden with the children, kicking a ball about, conducting science experiments or performing puppet shows.
Emily Clary
Early Years Practitioner
Paediatric First Aid
Level 2 Food Hygiene
Emily joined the team in March 2020 and is based primarily in the Baby Room, although she covers across all age groups. Emily can often be found reading stories or taking part in mark making activities with the children.
Emily is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Early Years Practitioner
Paediatric First Aid
Level 2 Food Hygiene
Emily joined the team in March 2020 and is based primarily in the Baby Room, although she covers across all age groups. Emily can often be found reading stories or taking part in mark making activities with the children.
Emily is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Olivia Jarvis
Early Years Practitioner
Heath & Social Care BTEC
Paediatric First Aid
Olivia joined the team in March 2020 and is primarily based in the Kindie Room.
One of Olivia's interests outside of work is art and she is looking forward to taking part in lots of creative activities with the children.
Olivia is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Early Years Practitioner
Heath & Social Care BTEC
Paediatric First Aid
Olivia joined the team in March 2020 and is primarily based in the Kindie Room.
One of Olivia's interests outside of work is art and she is looking forward to taking part in lots of creative activities with the children.
Olivia is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Jenny Fox
Early Years Educator
BA Primary Education QTS
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Outdoor 1st aid
Jenny originally joined the team working part time in the Preschool Room in January 2021, but due to her passion for Forest School, joined Alex working in our Forest School 'Room' which began in September 2021.
Jenny previously worked as a Primary School teacher before taking a break to go travelling. She is passionate about outdoor education and enjoys gardening, dog walks and reading.
Early Years Educator
BA Primary Education QTS
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Outdoor 1st aid
Jenny originally joined the team working part time in the Preschool Room in January 2021, but due to her passion for Forest School, joined Alex working in our Forest School 'Room' which began in September 2021.
Jenny previously worked as a Primary School teacher before taking a break to go travelling. She is passionate about outdoor education and enjoys gardening, dog walks and reading.
Lillie Webb
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Childcare and Early Education
Lillie completed her Level 3 work placement here at Fidgets between 2019-2021. After her studies were complete Lillie joined the team as a permanent member of staff and is primarily based with the under 2's.
Lillie dreams of becoming a midwife some day, would like to travel in the future and is a big animal lover.
Alicia Taylor
Early Years Practitioner
Paediatric 1st Aid
Alicia joined the Fidgets team in 2021 working originally as holiday cover. She is now working part time in the Kindie Room during her gap year before going to University in September 2022.
Alicia has previous experience working in a Special Educational Needs school in an admin role.
Early Years Practitioner
Paediatric 1st Aid
Alicia joined the Fidgets team in 2021 working originally as holiday cover. She is now working part time in the Kindie Room during her gap year before going to University in September 2022.
Alicia has previous experience working in a Special Educational Needs school in an admin role.
Amy Osborne
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Diploma in Childcare
Paediatric 1st Aid
Amy joined Fidgets as bank staff in early 2022 and now works part time in the Kindie Room. Amy is also a local childminder and has previous experience working at other nursery settings. She has three children of her own and is part of the Lamberhurst Panto society.
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Diploma in Childcare
Paediatric 1st Aid
Amy joined Fidgets as bank staff in early 2022 and now works part time in the Kindie Room. Amy is also a local childminder and has previous experience working at other nursery settings. She has three children of her own and is part of the Lamberhurst Panto society.
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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 |
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