Kelly Price – Manager and SENCO
Kelly is highly qualified in Early Years and management. Kelly has worked in nurseries and nursery management for over 10 years.
She has two children both of whom previously attended our Playgroup. As a mum and previous member of the committee Kelly has a great knowledge of the children and our playgroup values and is a passionate champion for all children in her role of SENCo.
Jessica Poole – Deputy Manager
Jessica has been working in childcare for over 17 years and is am a mum to two wonderful children.
She has an NVQ Level 3 Qualification and Forest School level 2 qualification and is both Deputy Manager at our wonderful playgroup and Forest School Leader. Outside of playgroup she enjoys playing netball and working as a team!
Marie Ware – Playgroup Assistant
Marie is our longest standing member of staff! Both of her children enjoyed attending St Mary’s before she joined the team in 2004.
She has a NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and a wealth of knowledge and experience. Marie’s passion for providing high quality care for the children shines through in the warmth and energy she gives.
Faye Rogers – Playgroup Assistant
Faye has a Level 3 Diploma in childcare and Education and has worked within childcare for 19 years in a nursery, school and playgroups. She joined St Mary’s playgroup in 2021 covering maternity leave before permanently joining our great team in 2022.
Faye feels nurturing children to become independent learners in our wonderful environment a privilege, both at playgroup and forest school. She has two children of her own and enjoys sports – her weekends are normally spent watching her eldest son playing football and youngest playing rugby!
Charlene Alley – Playgroup Assistant
Charlie qualified in childcare in Australia and has previously worked in nurseries and as a nanny. She has recently completed her level 3 Forest School Leader training and is passionate about spending time outdoors in order for children to explore and learn through.
Charlie has two children of her own who have both been through St Mary’s Playgroup and it is through our approach that she ‘fell back in love’ with working with children and were delighted for her to go from parent to staff when she came on board in 2021.
Lucy Jones – Playgroup Assistant
Lucy started working in childcare nearly 20 years ago, both at nurseries and nannying. A few years after qualifying she became a full time mum and 17 years later chose to do it again!
Lucy’s youngest daughter went to St Mary’s Playgroup (and is now at school) and whilst with us as a parent, became a member of our bank staff. Since joining the team it has reminded her how rewarding and wonderful it is to work in childcare and we are privileged to have her experience on the team.
Clare Banbrook – Playgroup Assistant
Clare has two children, both of whom attending St Mary’s Playgroup. When her youngest left to go to school she didn’t want to stop being part of our special environment so became part of the team, gaining her level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
She has worked with families and in caring roles for most of her working life and her favourite parts of working in Early Years are encouraging curiosity and celebrating all the learning moments during the children’s time at Playgroup.
Heidi Bailey – Chair of the Committee
Heidi has been part of St Mary’s Playgroup for over 9 years and is incredibly passionate about providing the highest quality of childcare to the children and families in our community.
She is a qualified primary school teacher and worked with children for over 20 years alongside having her own children who are now both at secondary school.
Katie Oakley – Financial Administrator
Katie is our Financial Administrator, with duties that are quite varied but incredibly vital to the running of our charity setting and our success.
Katie has two children who previously attended playgroup and is still passionate about seeing our setting thrive within our community.