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 15 years Rob has worked as a lecturer in Primary and Early Years Education at Plymouth University. He is presently the Academic Lead For School Experience and teaches Professional Studies on the Primary and Early Years BEd (Hons) and PGCE programmes. His research interests include primary music education, creativity, mentoring new teachers and teacher wellbeing.

Rob is a very keen trombone player and plays regularly with Torbay Symphony Orchestra and the famous local ten piece 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

Leah brings of 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

NURSERY ASSISTANT – Thrive Practitioner 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.

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! Jacqui has been a registered child-minder in Torquay for the past 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
• First Aid
• Paediatric First Aid

Louise Curtis (currently on Maternity Leave)

NURSERY ASSISTANT

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.

Qualifications/Experience

• Degree in Psychology
• Paediatric First Aid

Emily Dever

NURSERY ASSISTANT

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

Laura Tyler

NURSERY ASSISTANT

Laura came to this nursery as a toddler, completed her work experience and NVQ3 training here and is now here full time. She has always loved looking after small children and approaches her day with love and enthusiasm all the time.

Qualifications/Experience:

• NVQ3 in Childcare and Education
• 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 embarking on a Level 3 Diploma in Psychology

Clare Gill 

NURSERY ASSISTANT

Clare joined the nursery after making a career change to pursue her love of working with children. She is currently studying to achieve her NVQ3 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.

Fay Martin – Administrator 

Fay joined the nursery in 2015 and is responsible for all the hard work in the back ground. She will often be the lady you talk to when you first get in contact! Fay has 3 children of her own so she knows what it’s like to find the right place for your child!! She loves getting things organised.

Qualifications/Experience

• Many years in business administration roles
• NVQ2 Business Administration

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.