Mrs Emma Brownsell
Manager and over 2s lead Educator
Foundation Degree in Early Years Level 5 with Distinction.
Diploma in Childcare and Education Level 3.
Forest School Leader Level 3.
Outdoor and Paediatric First Aid Level 3.
Child Protection designated officer.
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.
Early Language Lead Practitioner.
Opening a nursery has always been my dream. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my 11-year career in Early Years and I feel extremely excited and privileged to now be in the position to make my career-long dream come true. I have built up my expertise through working in a range of Early Years settings, including nurseries and, most recently, within a special educational needs school where I also fulfilled the role of Portage Home Visitor, working with many wonderful children and their families along the way.
As a busy working Mummy of two, I understand the difficulties parents and carers face when trying to find a childcare setting that fills them with trust and provides the reassurance that their precious little ones are in safe hands. I believe that children need a safe and loving environment that provides them with comfort and security when their mummies, daddies, and families are out and about at work and doing grown-up things! I have worked towards my Early Years qualification since the age of 16. I began at level 3 and have continued to study toward gaining my foundation degree. Studying is something that is still ongoing for me, as I continue to study towards my BA with Honours in Early Years. Building on my theoretical knowledge helps me ensure that my Early Years practice is fresh and continually developing in a way that benefits every child I am fortunate enough to work with.
At the forefront of my hopes lies the ambition to work in partnership with parents to provide children in their earliest years the opportunity to grow and flourish within a setting that is attentive to their needs and development. I am also intent on allowing my love of nature and the outdoors to seep through the heart of The Woodland Rose, by ensuring that our children are given ample opportunities to access and explore the fun and wonderful outside world.
Emma April 2018
Mrs Kirsty Toomey
Office manager and under 2's lead Educator
First-Class BA with Honours Degree in Early Years and Education Level 6.
NVQ Children's care, learning and development Level 3.
Institute of Leadership and Management Level 2.
Paediatric First Aid Level 3.
Child Protection Designated Officer.
Equality Named Co-ordinator.
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.
After 13 years in Early Years so far, I feel extremely privileged to be in the position I am now. It really is a dream come true. I do not consider the children as lucky to be left in my care; rather I consider myself extremely lucky to be entrusted with the care of your most precious belongings. I hope to learn from them just as much, if not more, as they learn from me.
Completing my level 3 twelve years ago, I felt slightly relieved to be done with the studying. How wrong I was!! Studying has become my addiction. I just cannot stop. Graduating with a
first-class honours degree in Early Years and Education in 2017, I swiftly moved on to study for my Master’s in Early Childhood Education through The University of Sheffield. My thirst for knowledge, a constant need to develop my practice and being involved in cutting edge research, act as my motivation to continue. Watching little faces light up as they succeed in learning new skills themselves, through initiatives and approaches implemented by me, makes each day as exciting as the first.
My current passion within my role as educator and student revolves around enhancing the curiosity, learning and development of the children using natural-based objects and resources. I hope you will feel this is reflected throughout the setting. My aim is to include The Woodland Rose in some
small-scale research I will be conducting in the coming academic year, to highlight the benefits of this approach to learning in the Early Years setting. If you would like to deepen your own knowledge and understanding surrounding this ethos, please do not hesitate to get in touch, and keep an eye on our Facebook page and website where relevant and interesting articles and research will be shared.
Kirsty April 2018