Meet the Team
Sophia Sikora
Advisor to the Team
My name is Sophia.
I have worked in Education since 2005 when I started my career as a Year 2 class teacher in a local Primary school. After a few years there I decided to make a huge change and I moved a few thousand miles away to the Middle East. This is where my love for Early Years grew. I was fortunate to progress in my career and I became Assistant Head of Early Years and Key stage 1. During this time, I successfully led a large team of amazing teachers and teaching assistants in an international British Curriculum school.
After a slight career break to have my beautiful babies and a few part-time posts I joined Hanslope Pre-school Committee as the Committee Secretary. I absolutely love working at Hanslope Pre-school, we have a wonderful team of talented staff, fantastic children who are keen to learn through play, and a super setting to explore. After a wonderful first year as the Practice Manager, I am excited to see where the second year takes us as we follow the children's interests, develop our setting further and let their learning evolve.
Kim Vernon
Deputy Practice Manager
Acting Practice Manager
Designated Safeguarding Lead
My name is Kim and I am the Deputy Practice Manager at Hanslope Pre-school.
I am a very passionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic person, who is very much about developing children.
I have 17 years of experience in childcare. Along with my extensive experience, I am a highly qualified Practitioner holding an
NVQ level 4 in childcare.
I have also spent a lot of time working with children with SENCO needs.
I love to involve and engage children in my unique small world and creative activities.
I have taken on a new allotment project to benefit the children at Hanslope Pre-school, I will be including the older children in visiting the allotment on a regular basis, this will develop most areas, especially about growth, the world around them, and healthy eating.
Colette Wright
Senior Early Years Practitioner
Hello, I’m Colette.
I hold an NVQ level 4 in childcare and have been working in childcare for 16 years,
teaching and helping children grow is my passion.
I have two children myself and am a very caring and understanding person.
In my free time I like to go for walks, have family time and watch football.
Lindsay Tucker
Early Years Practitioner
Hi, my name is Lindsay and I have been working in childcare for the past 8 years, working as a childminders assistant and helping run crèches. This will be my 2nd year at Hanslope Pre-school.
I am currently working towards my Level 3 NVQ Qualification.
I thoroughly enjoy my job and love seeing the children develop into confident, independent individuals.
I enjoy arts and crafts, messy play, baking, reading books and outdoor fun.
I live in Hanslope and have 3 children aged 10, 8 and the newest addition will be 1 in December.
I look forward to starting the new term, seeing lots of new and familiar faces again.
Heidi D'ippolito
Early Years Practitioner
Hello, my name is Heidi. I have been working in the childcare industry for 7 years now.
I am a Level 3 Qualified Practitioner and have experience working with babies up to pre-schooler age, helping them become school ready.
I love all things crafty and messy, which is great for planning fun activities for your little ones to help their imagination and creative skills thrive.
I have recently moved to live on a farm, where we have horses, ducks, and guinea pigs so in my spare time I am helping out looking after them, which is a great topic to spark conversation with the children. I also like to do fun activities at home with my own children and go exploring in the woods and making dens with them.
I have recently taken on improving the Pre-school garden area and will continue to do this to help establish different areas to encourage children to explore and learn as I have a strong passion for being outdoors. I will also be working alongside Kim by taking the children to the allotments, to help grow vegetables and fruits for our pre-schoolers, this will help them to understand where our food comes from.
I can’t wait to meet and get to know you all at Hanslope Pre-school.
Caroline Marshall
Early Years Practitioner
I'm Caroline and I have just re-joined the Hanslope Pre-school team, having previously held a part-time position and provided emergency relief cover during the previous 4 years. I'm excited to be back and meet all the new children and see some little faces I remember!
I've lived in Hanslope for 20 years and have two daughters, aged 10 and 12.
I particularly enjoy reading and singing activities but am looking forward to getting stuck-in with, and supporting, all the children's interests.
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Samantha Brooker
Early Years Practitioner
Hi, my name is Sam and I am a level 3 qualified Early Years Practitioner with 17 years childcare experience.
I have worked in a range of settings with children aged 0-10 years including a nursery, creche and a childminding provision.
Working with children has always been my passion, helping children to learn and develop in a friendly and happy environment.
I live in Milton Keynes and have two children, who keep me very busy!
I am very excited to continue my time with Hanslope Preschool as an emergency relief worker.
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Gemma Maxted
Early Years Practitioner
Hi, I am Gemma, I am delighted to be returning to Pre-school as the Green Group Key Person.
I am looking forward to getting to know your lovely children.
I am currently working towards a degree in psychology/childhood studies. I am in my last year of this, and due to that, I have a huge passion for the first years of life. The importance they hold in setting the children up for their futures. Working with young children and helping them is exciting for me!
I enjoy arts and crafts and anything messy, I will encourage the children to join in the fun and learn new experiences through their senses.
I am an avid reader and love to read, I truly believe that books open a whole new world for children as
well as adults.
I absolutely love to bake, at home in my spare time I bake with my own children a lot and hope to be
baking with your children soon.
Gemma x
Gemma McLellan
Early Years Practitioner
Unqualified
Hi, I’m Gemma
I live in Hanslope and have two children myself aged 4 and 3. One has just left Pre-school and another is just starting the new term.
I am always coming up with new creative arts, crafts, and exciting things for them to learn at home and help their imagination and creative skills grow.
I am looking forward to bringing my creativity to the team for planning fun activities for your little ones to enjoy, I will encourage the children to join in and learn lots of new experiences.
I am excited to meet and get to know all of the children, helping them to learn and develop through their time at Hanslope Pre-school.
Charlotte Clay
Early Years Practitioner
My name is Charlotte and I am very much looking forward to joining the team at Hanslope Pre-school.
I have over 20 years of childcare experience, mainly working in the private sector, where I worked as a Deputy Manager and Early Years Practitioner, alongside the Behaviour Representative and SENCO, with children between the ages of 0-5 years.
I have 3 children, all of whom attended Hanslope Pre-school and thoroughly enjoyed their time. When my middle son attended I became a member of the committee as the Chairperson. I worked very closely with the Pre-school to develop and enhance the provision and implement positive change in line with the policies, procedures, and curriculum.
Now my youngest has started school, I felt the time was right to go back to working in Early Years Education, a career I am passionate about.
I hope to bring fun and enjoyment to Hanslope Pre-school and work with the staff team to ensure the children have a variety of rich and stimulating activities alongside the children's interests, learning, and development.
Carole Scott
Administrator
Hello, I'm Carole, the Administrator for Hanslope Pre-school.
I have worked for the Pre-school for nearly ten years as their administrator.
I previously worked at the Pre-school as an emergency helper.
I also work at Hanslope Primary School as a Teaching Assistant in year 4.
I enjoy both my jobs and love being involved with children's education.
I have lived in Hanslope with my husband for nearly 19 years. We have two children, 17 and 15 years old, who attended Hanslope
Pre-school many years ago! Both my children are now nearing the end of their schooling years and heading towards wonderful new adventures.
You might not see me much in the
Pre-school setting but you'll hear from
me via emails and by post!
Carole : )