Fidgets Pre-school & Nursery
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    • The Kindie Room
    • The Pre-school Room
    • Forest School 'Room'
  • Holiday Club
  • Stay & Play
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    • Useful websites
  • Contact us
  • Home
    • Sessions, fees & term dates
    • Ofsted report
    • Learning & Development
    • Fidgets Fest' 2023
    • Fundraising & Charity Initiatives
  • Our Nursery
    • Staff
    • Outdoor space
    • Forest School
    • Meals
    • The Baby & Toddler Room
    • The Kindie Room
    • The Pre-school Room
    • Forest School 'Room'
  • Holiday Club
  • Stay & Play
  • Parent Hub
    • Useful websites
  • Contact us

Staff

"Staff know the children well and understand their unique care and learning needs. They have a secure knowledge of children and plan activities and experiences that they base upon what children need to learn next, incorporating their interests. This enables children to remain engaged in their play and learning." - Ofsted, February 2025

"My son loves all the staff I see him interact with. That means the World, he comes home talking about staff members and is excited to tell them about things he's done outside of nursery." - Parent/carer questionnaire, February 2024

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​Jo Harvey
Owner/Director

BA (Hons) in Professional Studies in Learning and Development
Designated Safeguarding Lead
​Paediatric First Aid

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! 
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​Sophie Saunders
Manager

BA (HONS) Early Childhood Practice
Early Years Teacher
Designated Safeguarding Lead & SENCO
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 taking part in messy painting activities, building giant cardboard creations or having a big dancing session with the children! Sophie is currently undertaking her EYTT qualification.
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​Shannon Hazeltine
Deputy Manager & 
​Preschool Room Leader

BA (HONS) Childhood & Youth Studies
​Designated Safeguarding Lead
Paediatric 1st Aid

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 her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. Shannon returned in January 2022 as a room leader and has been instrumental at introducing lots of outdoor adventures and sensory messy play for the children to experience.
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Alex Taylor
Training & Engagement Manager

BA (HONS) in Early Childhood
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Level 3 Award in Education & Training
​Outdoor First Aid

Alex has worked at Fidgets since June 2010. ​Alex has two children of her own and is passionate about outdoor education. In 2019 Alex's role changed from Room Leader to Forest School Manager, working across the whole setting providing more outdoor learning opportunities, running our Forest School provision and holiday clubs. In 2025 Alex developed a new role and is now heading up the Fidgets Training center, offering inhouse and external Forest School training for staff, running parent workshops and Forest School stay & play sessions.
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​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.
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​Elaine Sheard
Baby & Toddler Room Leader


Level 3 Early Years Educator
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 as the Room Leader. 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.

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​Alicia Taylor
Kindie Room Leader


Level 3 Childcare & Early Education
​Paediatric 1st Aid

Alicia joined the Fidgets team in 2021 working originally as holiday cover. She is now working full time in the Kindie Room and in 2025 was promoted to the Room Manager role to lead the Kindie team. Alicia is passionate about providing outdoor learning opportunities for the children and taking part in lots of sensory, messy play.
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​Jenny Fox
Forest School Room Leader


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 of that year. Jenny previously worked as a Primary School teacher before taking a break to go travelling. In 2024 Jenny headed up an emotion coaching research project within the setting and has been developing our staff wellbeing practices and policy.
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​Emily Chappatte
Baby & Toddler Deputy Room Leader


BA (HONS) Education
Montessori Diploma
​Paediatric 1st Aid

Emily joined the team in June 2025 and has a wealth of Early Years experience. She is based in the Baby & Toddler room on a Monday & Friday and then will work across the other room during the rest of the week. She is already a big hit with the small people!

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Lillie Webb
Kindie Deputy Room Leader


Level 3 Childcare & Early Education
Paediatric 1st Aid

Lillie has worked at Fidgets since she originally did her childcare placement with us when she was at college. She took a year off to gain more experience as a private nanny but has returned to be the Baby & Toddler Room Deputy Room Leader.

Lillie is passionate about supporting children meet their developmental milestones, loves a good sing song and having fun with the children. She always has a big smile on her face and brings lots of laughter to the team.
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​Emily Clary
​Preschool Deputy Room Leader


Level 3 Childcare and Early Education
Paediatric First Aid


Emily joined the team in March 2020. She has worked across all age groups but is now primarily based in the Preschool room. Emily can often be found reading stories or taking part in mark making activities with the children, as well as developing emotional regulation skills, after she completed some emotion coaching training in 2024.
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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.
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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 Preschool Room. Amy was previously a local childminder and has past experience working at other nursery settings. She has three children of her own and is part of the Lamberhurst Panto society. Amy always provides creative and interesting activities for the children to get stuck into, supporting their development across a wide range of learning areas.

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​Tianna White
Early Years Practitioner

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Paediatric 1st Aid

Tianna joined our team in 2022 and is primarily based in the Baby & Toddler Room. Tianna enjoys reading stories to the children and has recently been interested in developing the children's literacy skills creating her own activities to support this area of learning.

Tianna is currently undergoing her Early Years Level 2 qualification.

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​Sienna Molineux
Early Years Educator


Level 3 Childcare & Early Education
​Paediatric 1st Aid
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Sienna Joined us in 2023 and is based primarily in the Kindie Room, after a year working with the Preschoolers.

Sienna enjoys reading and writing whilst at home and has taken an interest in story telling with the children as well as spending time exploring the countryside with them.
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Jo Stone
Early Years Practitioner


1st aid (Neonatal & adults)

Jo joined the team in March 2023 to provide cover across all of our rooms. Jo has worked as a Maternity Support Worker for the past 11 years which she continues to do part time. Jo has children of her own and previous experience working as a Nursery Nurse. Jo loves spending time outdoors and bug hunting with the children. In her spare time Jo enjoys paddle boarding and kayaking!
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George Wilson
Early Years Practitioner


NNEB, Montessori Teacher, Hornsby Diploma in SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulties)
​Paediatric 1st Aid

George joined Fidgets in March 2023 providing part time support across all of our rooms, but being primarily based in The Kindie Room. George has lots of experience working in early years having previously worked within various nurseries and school settings for most of her career.
In her spare time George loves painting water colours, gardening and walking her dog around Lamberhurst.
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​Lily Turnbull
Early Years Practitioner


Paediatric 1st Aid

Lily joined Fidgets in May 2024 and is primarily based in the under 2's room. Lily has younger siblings and loves working with children, getting down on their level, giving lots of cuddles and supporting their play. Lily grew up locally and lives at home with her family, 2 golden retrievers and a cat. Lily loves socialising and visiting hot countries to relax!

Lily is currently undergoing an apprenticeship for her Level 3 Early Years qualification.
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​Amy Lewis
Early Years Practitioner


Level 2 Early Years
​Paediatric 1st Aid

Amy formally joined us in August 2024 after spending her college placement with us. She is primarily based in the Preschool Room and is undergoing her Level 3 qualification. Amy loves the process of getting to know the children as they grow and develop and she enjoys taking part in outdoor education.
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​Maddie Turnbull
Early Years Practitioner


Maddie joined our team in June, 2025 and is primarily based in the Kindie Room. She is interested in psychology so is looking forward to developing her knowledge about child development.

In her spare time Maddie enjoys walking her two golden retrievers and playing football.
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Lamberhurst Vineyard
Furnace Lane
Lamberhurst
Kent, TN3 8LA

Opening hours:
M-F: 8am - 6pm

Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01892 891800