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 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!
Rachael O'Brien
Kitchen/Housekeeping Assistant
Level 2 Award in Food Safety & Hygiene
Rachael joined the team in October 2020, working primarily within the kitchen meeting the nutritional needs of the children and closely with our catering company to provide daily snacks and meals. Rachael will also be providing holiday and sick cover within the rooms when required.
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
Rachael joined the team in October 2020, working primarily within the kitchen meeting the nutritional needs of the children and closely with our catering company to provide daily snacks and meals. Rachael will also be providing holiday and sick cover within the rooms when required.
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.
Andrea Neve
Deputy Manager & Pre-School Room Leader
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 now runs The Pre-School Room.
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 & Pre-School Room Leader
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 now runs The Pre-School Room.
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.
Tira Burrell
Baby & Toddler 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 & Toddler 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.
Baby & Toddler 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 & Toddler 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.
Sophie Saunders
Kindie Room Leader
Level 4 Early Childhood Studies
Paediatric First Aid
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 making messy painting activities with the children! Sophie is currently studying towards her Early Childhood Practice Degree.
Kindie Room Leader
Level 4 Early Childhood Studies
Paediatric First Aid
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 making messy painting activities with the children! Sophie is currently studying towards her Early Childhood Practice Degree.
Alex Taylor
Forest School Leader
BA (HONS) in Early Childhood
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Paediatric First Aid & 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 The Kindie Room Leader to Forest School Leader, working across the whole setting providing more outdoor learning opportunities.
Forest School Leader
BA (HONS) in Early Childhood
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Paediatric First Aid & 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 The Kindie Room Leader to Forest School Leader, working across the whole setting providing more outdoor learning opportunities.
Elaine Sheard
Early Years Practitioner
Level 2 Introducing Caring for Children & Young People
Level 2 Food safety & hygiene
Level 3 Food management
First aid at work
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.
Early Years Practitioner
Level 2 Introducing Caring for Children & Young People
Level 2 Food safety & hygiene
Level 3 Food management
First aid at work
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.
Ellie Owens
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Early Years Educator
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.
In her spare time Ellie is always out and about with her boys, getting muddy, climbing trees and hunting dinosaurs!
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Early Years Educator
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.
In her spare time Ellie is always out and about with her boys, getting muddy, climbing trees and hunting dinosaurs!
Alex Desautels
Early Years Practitioner
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 across all the rooms.
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 hunting for bugs in the woods.
Michelle O'Halloran
Early Years Practitioner (Maternity Leave)
Level 3 Supporting Teaching & Learning in School
In 2020 Michelle had recently moved down South from Middlesborough and is now based in our Pre-School room. She has previous experience working with nursery aged children between 3 - 4 years and with Reception aged children.
Michelle is a busy mum of one, and enjoys going to the cinema and listening to music.
Emily Clary
Early Years Practitioner
1st aid at Work
Level 2 Food Hygiene
Emily joined the team in March 2020 and is based in The Kindie Room. Emily is passionate about beginning an new career in Early years. She has a Jack Russell called Marmite and has an interest in photography.
Emily is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Early Years Practitioner
1st aid at Work
Level 2 Food Hygiene
Emily joined the team in March 2020 and is based in The Kindie Room. Emily is passionate about beginning an new career in Early years. She has a Jack Russell called Marmite and has an interest in photography.
Emily is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Olivia Jarvis
Early Years Practitioner
Heath & Social Care BTEC
Olivia joined the team in March 2020 as she is interested in pursuing a career in Early Years. Olivia 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
Olivia joined the team in March 2020 as she is interested in pursuing a career in Early Years. Olivia 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 joined the team working part time in the Preschool Room in January 2021. Jenny previously worked as a Primary School teacher before taking a break to go travelling.
Jenny 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 joined the team working part time in the Preschool Room in January 2021. Jenny previously worked as a Primary School teacher before taking a break to go travelling.
Jenny is passionate about outdoor education and enjoys gardening, dog walks and reading.
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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 |