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!
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.
Codruta Stanca
House Keeper & Catering Assistant
Early Years Practitioner
Level 3 Diploma in Child Psychology
Level 3 Award in HACCP for Food Manufacturing
Level 2 Award in Food Safety Manufacturing
Cody joined the team in June 2019 covering in the kitchen and across all the rooms in the setting. Cody has a background in food manufacture, catering and childcare as she is a long term Foster Carer.
House Keeper & Catering Assistant
Early Years Practitioner
Level 3 Diploma in Child Psychology
Level 3 Award in HACCP for Food Manufacturing
Level 2 Award in Food Safety Manufacturing
Cody joined the team in June 2019 covering in the kitchen and across all the rooms in the setting. Cody has a background in food manufacture, catering and childcare as she is a long term Foster Carer.
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, 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.
Alex is particularly fond of animals and passionate about outdoor education, and in 2019 changed from a Room Leader to Forest School Leader, working across the whole setting.
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.
Emma Holmes
Kindie 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 has primarily worked across the Kindie & 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 & 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.
Melissa Baldwin
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Early Years NVQ
Paediatric First Aid
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Melissa has worked in The Baby Room since 2017 after qualifying as a Level 3 Educator. In September 2019 she will be embarking on a new course, studying towards a Level 5 in Hospital Play Specialism. Melissa will be based in The Pre-School & Baby Room's two days a week whilst she completes her further training.
Melissa is keen on the gym and loves to travel.
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Early Years NVQ
Paediatric First Aid
Child protection & Safeguarding
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Melissa has worked in The Baby Room since 2017 after qualifying as a Level 3 Educator. In September 2019 she will be embarking on a new course, studying towards a Level 5 in Hospital Play Specialism. Melissa will be based in The Pre-School & Baby Room's two days a week whilst she completes her further training.
Melissa is keen on the gym and loves to travel.
Hattie Champneys
Early Years Practitioner (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 in her spare time can be found roaming the countryside with her daughter!
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 Baby & Toddler 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! 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 Baby & Toddler 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! 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.
Elaine Sheard
Early Years Practitioner
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.
Early Years Practitioner
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.
Ellie Owens
Early Years Practitioner
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 Practitioner
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 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 in The Kindie Room full time.
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 or hunting for bugs in the woods.
Abi Sheard
Early Years Practitioner
LLB Criminal Law Degree
Abi joined the team in June 2019 after completing a Criminal Law Degree at University in Wales. Abi is planning on a career in Family Law so has come to gain child development experience working at Fidgets. She is based in The Kindie Room.
Abi is interested in baking, reading, cycling and being outside, and will often be found with a new hair colour!
Early Years Practitioner
LLB Criminal Law Degree
Abi joined the team in June 2019 after completing a Criminal Law Degree at University in Wales. Abi is planning on a career in Family Law so has come to gain child development experience working at Fidgets. She is based in The Kindie Room.
Abi is interested in baking, reading, cycling and being outside, and will often be found with a new hair colour!
Shannon Taylor
Early Years Practitioner
Level 3 CPD Award in EYFS & Teaching
Shannon joined Fidgets in July 2019. She is currently studying towards a Childhood & Youth BA (HONS) Degree.
Shannon moved from South Africa 18 months ago and has experience working in different childcare settings such as a Montessori Nursery and Sunday Schools.
Shannon loves being outdoors and all things nature!
Early Years Practitioner
Level 3 CPD Award in EYFS & Teaching
Shannon joined Fidgets in July 2019. She is currently studying towards a Childhood & Youth BA (HONS) Degree.
Shannon moved from South Africa 18 months ago and has experience working in different childcare settings such as a Montessori Nursery and Sunday Schools.
Shannon loves being outdoors and all things nature!
Milly Bryan
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Children & Young People's Workforce NVQ
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Milly joined Fidgets in August 2019 working primarily in the Kindie Room. Milly has previous experience working in another nursery with children aged 2-3 years. She has also worked with animals in places such as the Rare Breeds Centre in Ashford, and loves to be outdoors.
Early Years Educator
Level 3 Children & Young People's Workforce NVQ
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Milly joined Fidgets in August 2019 working primarily in the Kindie Room. Milly has previous experience working in another nursery with children aged 2-3 years. She has also worked with animals in places such as the Rare Breeds Centre in Ashford, and loves to be outdoors.
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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 |