Pippa Bennett
BA (Hons) (French and Drama) PGCE QTS
Pippa has been a teacher for over 20 years. Her specialism is working with children with barriers to learning. She has left mainstream education to run this unique nursery and maintain its philosophy, ethos and feel. During her time as a teacher, Pippa worked for the Local Authority supporting schools with regard to Special Needs issues, for Plymouth University as an associate tutor on the Professional Studies and SEN modules and supporting trainee teachers in school. Pippa also worked as a Facilitator on the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leaders (in Education) originally established by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL). Pippa’s last position in mainstream education was as Assistant Head at Oldway Primary School.
Rob Bennett
BEd (Hons) (Music) QTS, MA (Ed)
Rob is a qualified primary teacher with ten years experience working with both Key Stage 1 and 2 classes in Torbay. For the last 17 years Rob has worked as a lecturer in Primary and Early Years Education at the University of Plymouth. Rob now works part-time at the Nursery and at the University of Exeter where he lectures on the primary curriculum music element of the Primary PGCE course. Rob holds a Bachelor and a Masters degree in Education. His research interests include primary music education and working with non-specialist teachers, creativity in early education, mentoring new teachers and teacher resilience and wellbeing.
Rob is a very keen trombone player and plays regularly with Torbay Symphony Orchestra and the famous local soul band Soul Funktion. Rob regularly leads big group music in the nursery with his trombone. When he is not working or playing the trombone you will often find Rob pedalling around the South West on one of his bikes!
Nadine Powell
NURSERY DEPUTY and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Nadine has worked in various settings for young children both abroad and in the U.K. For 14 years she worked in a primary school supporting vulnerable pupils and children with differing needs as an HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant). She has four children and is a grandmother. Nadine started working part time here at Southernwood and enjoyed every aspect of the nursery and the experience it brought. We were thrilled when she made the decision to join the team at Southernwood. Nadine enjoys seeing children develop through play and thrive in the nurturing environment that Southernwood provides.
Qualifications/Experience:
- NNEB Qualified for 30 years
- NVQ Level 3 teaching Assistant
- CACHE level 3 diploma – specialist support teaching in schools
- Thrive trained
- Child Protection – Grass roots
- Paediatric First Aid
- NPSLBA National Programme for specialist leaders in Behaviour and Attendance
- Child Protection Level 3
- Level 3 Diploma in Management (ILM)
- Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Management in the Business Skills Sector
Leah Needham
ASSISTANT DEPUTY – Teaching and Learning Lead
Leah brings a wealth of experience and personality to our team. She has worked in childcare for nearly 20 years and in that time has managed a nursery on a military base and undertaken a wide range of training . She has also been a registered foster carer in that time.
Qualifications/Experience:
- NNEB
- Child Protection Level 3
- Paediatric First Aid
Victoria Haly
ASSISTANT DEPUTY – Attachment Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Victoria has worked at Southernwood for 20 years now and, whilst she enjoys every aspect of nursery life, she is our resident expert on toilet training and eating differences! She loves the children and the children love her!
Qualifications/Experience:
- Diploma level 3 in Childcare
- Trauma and Attachment Training Level 4
- Thrive Practitioner.
- Child Protection Level 3
- Paediatric First Aid
Jo Smith
NURSERY ASSISTANT
Being a mum of two older children inspired Jo to join the childcare sector. Jo is committed to helping young children enjoy their learning and sharing their experiences. She joined Southernwood in 2013 having achieved her qualifications and she has never looked back!
Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 2 – City & Guilds
- Level 3 – Cache – in children and young peoples workforce
- Paediatric First Aid
Jacqui Lambourne
NURSERY ASSISTANT
Jacqui’s own children are all grown up now and she is also a grandmother! Prior to coming to Southernwood in 2013, Jacqui was a registered child-minder in Torquay for 22 years and has never been without a baby or toddler throughout this time, which has given her a wealth of experience.
Qualifications/Experience:
- Child Protection Certificate
- Paediatric First Aid
Janet Wright
NURSERY ASSISTANT
Janet has worked in childcare settings for 13 years. Janet first got to know Southernwood when she was looking for a nursery for her eldest. She was so happy with his development that she wanted to work here. Janet specialises in sensory play, providing lots of exciting opportunities for the children to explore their senses in a fun way.
Qualifications/Experience:
- Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education
- Paediatric First Aid
Louise Curtis
SENCO (Special Needs Co-ordinator) Shared Role
Louise also has lots of experience working with children. After completing her psychology degree, she worked in an educational organisation that catered for children who needed additional support in and out of mainstream school. Here she gained extensive skills and knowledge in analysing learning and designing focused activities that will support the development of children of all ages. Louise focuses on the children who need support in the nursery. Her aspirations are to gain a teaching qualification in Early Years and will be starting this in September 2020.
Qualifications/Experience
- Degree in Psychology
- Paediatric First Aid
Emily Dever (Currently on maternity leave)
SENCO (Special Needs Co-ordinator) Shared role.
Emily is a qualified teacher who, after taking a break to look after her son Fynlay, has returned to the work she loves. As a primary school teacher in a London school, she taught Reception and Year 1 children for 3 years. During this time, she differentiated her teaching for a wide range of children’s needs and abilities through purposeful, creative and playful activities. She loves the buzz of witnessing the progress and emotional development of children and that moment when they ‘get it’ in their learning! At the nursery, she works hard to ensure that all children develop to the maximum, especially those having trouble getting started.
She loves the ethos at Southernwood and believes it lays the foundations, which are so important in the early years of children’s lives to let them find their shine.
Qualifications
- PGCE Primary (Early Years Specialism)
BA Business (Hons) – QTS - Paediatric First Aid
Caroline Cutting
NURSERY ASSISTANT
Caroline is an experienced mother of two energetic and active boys. Perhaps that’s where she gets her enthusiasm for the outdoors from!! She is currently studying a Level 3 Diploma in Psychology
Clare Chapman
NURSERY ASSISTANT
Clare joined the nursery after making a career change to pursue her love of working with children. She has recently achieved her NVQ2 in Childcare. She has had plenty of experience having brought up her own two gorgeous children and her excitement about being here is evident every day.
Katie Tranter
Katie is beginning her career in Early Years Education. She has a natural love of young children and has a range of experience in caring for others. She has worked with children with Autism as well as adults and has worked on Camp America where she continued to develop her skills in caring for children with behavioural difficulties. She has a passion for fitness and is a qualified Basketball Coach having played at a competitive level in the past. She is full of life and laughter – a terrific model for our children.
Qualifications/Experience:
- BTEC Level 3 Early Years Educator
- Paediatric First Aid
Amy Perkins
ASSISTANT SENCO
Amy joined last November having gained lots of experience in another fairly local nursery after completing her degree in Early Childhood and gaining a 2:1. It is obvious that Amy loves to see the children flourish and develop in nursery, taking great delight in their achievements daily. We feel very lucky that the opportunity of joining our team appealed to her and that here she is!
Qualifications/Experience
- Cache Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education (VRQ)
- BA (HONS) Early childhood 2:1
- Paediatric First Aid
- Previous experience of working in nursery in a both workforce and managerial
Claire Honeysett
COOK
Claire is our resident chef! She loves nothing more than talking food and preparing delicious meals for the children, her own and those in the nursery. She is also a member of the Territorial Army and yes…she cooks for them too!! We are lucky to have her!
Qualifications/Experience
- Level 2 Food Hygiene.