Our Team
Experience
Our experienced staff consists of nine "Aunties", who are all mums. Seven hold a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education, and they all hold Paediatric First Aid and "Safeguarding Children" certificates which are regularly updated.
Staffing
We work with a ratio of at least 1 member of staff to 4 children with the under-threes, and 1:8 with the children over three years old.
Each child is allocated a member of staff to be their key person.
Inspection
The playgroup was inspected by Ofsted in February 2016 and our care and educational provision was judged to be Outstanding. A copy of the report is displayed upon our notice board. You may request a copy, or read it on-line at
https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/120089
The Aunties
Auntie Louise, Playgroup Manager
I started as a volunteer at St. Peter's Nursery when my middle child attended back in 2007.
Once I had had my third child I studied for my Level 3 NVQ in Early Years Childcare and Education whilst continuing to volunteer.
In 2012 I started working at St. Peter's Nursery and became Deputy Manager in January 2015.
I left St. Peter's in July 2018 and joined Laleham Church Playgroup as Manager Designate, to take over from Heather Hermes when she retired at Christmas 2018.
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I am currently the Special Educational Needs coordinator for the playgroup.
Auntie Wendy, Deputy Manager, Safeguarding Lead and Treasurer.
I am a member of All Saints' Church and my 5 children all attended Laleham Playgroup. I joined the staff in 1999 and completed my Level 3 NVQ in Early Years Childcare and Education.
I have a daughter with Down's Syndrome so I am passionate about supporting children who have extra needs.
I originally studied for a degree in mathematics and now use these skills to organise the finances and run the Payroll.
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I am responsible for co-ordinating the Understanding the World learning area.
AuntieTracey
I have been working at the playgroup since 2003, latterly as the Session Leader. I hold a Level 3 NVQ in Early Years Childcare and Education.
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I have responsibility for Physical Development and Expressive Arts & Design co-ordination within the setting.
Auntie Deb
I have worked at Laleham Church Playgroup since 2000.
I hold an NVQ Level 3 qualification in Children's care, Learning and Development.
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I am responsible for co-ordinating the Maths learning area at the Playgroup.
Auntie Susie
I volunteered at St. Peter's Nursery from 2011, during my youngest daughter's final year there. I gained my Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma Level 3 in 2012 and started working at the Nursery full-time.
At St. Peter's I enjoyed producing their Summer and Christmas musical shows, and was their Safeguarding Lead, until I joined this Playgroup in September 2018.
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I am responsible for the Personal, Social, and Emotional Development planning.
Auntie Debbie
I completed my NVQ Level 3 in 2002 and was working in Day Nurseries, as a Nursery Nurse and as a Deputy Manager, before taking a career break to have a family. All my children have attended this Playgroup.
When my youngest child started school I went back to work in childcare, at another local Nursery, until I was invited to join the Playgroup team in September 2018.
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I do the Communication, Language and Literacy planning at Playgroup.
Auntie Sarah
My daughter attended Laleham Church Playgroup in 2003 and when she left I became a volunteer which progressed to becoming a staff member. I love working with the children in the caring environment of our playgroup.
I also work as an LSA at Laleham Primary School which is where many of our children from Playgroup go on to, so I get the pleasure of watching them grow and develop further.
Auntie Becs
I hold an NVQ Level 3 qualification in Children's Care, Learning and Development.
I had 4 years experience working in full day care before taking a break to have my family.
I started at Laleham Church Playgroup by volunteering for 8 months and then started working here two days a week in October 2018.
Auntie Heather
I have a background of 25 years in Occupational Therapy. I joined the Laleham Church Playgroup team in 2016, initially to cover and then as 1:1 special needs support.
I now work as part of the team two days a week.