Woodfield Nest
Pre-School & OOSC
Our Staff
Rachel
Centre Manager
Hello! I'm Rachel, the Manager here at The Nest. I am a mum of two grown up children and have been here since 2007. I was born and bred in Cam, and even attended Cam Woodfield Infant & Junior Schools as a child. I am passionate about providing a strong foundation for all our children and understanding their individual personalities.
When I'm not at work, I love going to concerts and theatre shows. Two of my favourite places are Bath and St. Ives.
Rachel is the Safeguarding Lead Professional and Behaviour Management Manager. Rachel is also Gradual Pathway Approach trained and is the Lead Professional.
Emma
Deputy Centre Manager & Early Years Lead
They call me the outdoorsy one. I’ve got two boys and they get me into all kinds of very active hobbies, I’m now also a Cub Leader. However, I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, especially camping and travelling. I also love to sing – and there’s no better place to sing than in an open field whilst walking my dog!
Emma is currently training to be the first of only 13 people in Gloucestershire to become a Level 3 SENCo. Emma is our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead Professional and has been with us since April 2008. Emma is a Key Person for the Pre-School children and works across all areas of the setting.
Our Progress
The Woodfield Nest was setup in 1999 as a charity organisation, offering Pre-School and Out of School Club.
In 2011 we acquired a purpose built building from Gloucestershire County Council.
We have supported around 1,000 families since our beginning.
Some of our staff have been working together for over 20 years!
Caroline
Senior Play Practitioner
Despite having two grown up daughters, they do keep me feeling young. I've recently taken up Triathlons, where I swim, cycle and run - this keeps me fit, but also given me a new group of friends. My friends would call me bubbly, as I try and laugh often.
Caroline is a Key Person to a group of Pre-School children, and has been working here since 2007. She is a very valued member of the team and runs Pre-School & Out of School Club sessions when Rachel or Emma are not around. Caroline is our senior first aider.
Kate
Centre Administrator
I have two boys under the age of 12, who keep me on my toes, and my family mean the world to me. I love to crochet, bake cakes and take walks in our fabulous countryside. However my most favourite place is the West Highlands in Scotland.
Kate started working with us in 2014. Kate brings many skills to her role and supports Rachel, parents and the team.
Anita
Marketing Administrator
I came to Woodfield Infant School as a child and my daughter loved her time here at the Pre-School and the Out Of School Club - so we are all big fans of the schools here. I now work in the office with Kate and I'm responsible for lots of the fun stuff - the website, parent communications, newsletters and trips.
Anita joined The Nest in 2014 as the Secretary on the Committee (a voluntary position) before she joined the team in the office.
Julie
Play Practitioner Level 3
I am the newest member of the team and have received a very warm welcome from everyone. I've been working in Pre-Schools for over 17 years and enjoy it as much today as I did when I started. I'm surrounded by children at home too - I have 4 daughters and 2 grandchildren and love spending time with my family. When the children aren't about - I love walking my dog or watching a musical film.
Julie has been a member of our team since February 2019, Julie is a Key Person for the Pre-School children and works in the OOSC.
Kirsty
Play Practitioner Level 3
I've become strangely famous for making play-dough, perhaps it comes from my love for making cakes - obviously we dont eat the play-dough! I'm also a bit of a Bat-Man fan - I love the films and comics. I too went to Woodfield Infant School as a child.
Kirsty has been working with The Nest since 2013 behind the scenes, Kirsty started working in Pre-School in September 2020 and from September 2021 she has become a Key Person in Pre-School. Kirsty also works in the OOSC.
Ellie
Play Practitioner Level 3
Ellie started with us in 2019 where she volunteered for a couple of months, having finished her Psychology Degree. Ellie then joined us officially as one to one Support Worker for a child with additional needs.Ellie loves plants, painting plant pots and travelling.
Ellie is now a Key Person working in Pre-School, and also works in the OOSC.
Casey
Play Practitioner Level 3
My family is very important to me, and I include my dog in that – we are inseparable (well other than bringing him to work of course). I love Pizza and I love working here at The Nest, I consider myself a big kid at heart, as I still love all the Disney films!
Casey has been a member of our team since January 2016. Casey has started training for her level 3 in Early Years Educator and is a Key Person working in Pre-School and also works in the OOSC.
Natalie
Play Practitioner
Natalie joined our team in February 2022. She works in the OOSC and covers staff in Pre-School when they are training, in meetings, or sickness.
Wendy
Play Practitioner
I’m the crafty one! I make lots of exciting things with our OOSC children. But when the sun shines I get out in the garden, potter about or read a book if the weeds are all in order. Not many people know that my husband and I are mad about classic cars, and we travel all over Britain and Europe in one of our own classic vehicles.
Wendy joined our team in September 2011, however Wendy has worked with children for many years having run her own playgroup and toddler groups. Wendy has also been a long standing youth worker and runs the local Young Carers group in Dursley.
Hannah
Play Practitioner
Hannah has been part of our community as a parent for several years. She joined our team in November 2020 and ensures the setting and the toys are cleaned every day. Hannah can also be called upon as relief cover too.
From January 2022, Hannah also works in the OOSC and covers staff training & staff sickness in Pre-School.