Our sessions are run by well qualified staff with many years experience in working with children. They all have up to date First Aid and Safeguarding Children training and attend training regularly by the Preschool Learning Alliance or Early Years partnership.

Alison Smallacombe has worked in Playgroup since 1990 and has been a Supervisor since 1992. She became Manager in 2005. She is supervisor on Friday mornings. She qualified with the PLA Foundation Course and Diploma in Preschool Practice. She is also the group’s SENCO (Special Needs Coordinator) and has done special training relating to this. She has up to date First Aid and Safeguarding Children training and updates her training by attending various short courses each year. She is a qualified Adult Education trainer. She achieved Early Years Professional Status in June 2008.

Karen Best started as a supervisor in 1990. She is Supervisor on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She has been a 1 to 1 Helper. She qualified as a teacher with her main subject being music. She has gained the PLA Foundation Course and attended many short courses to keep her training up to date. These include First Aid and Safeguarding Children as well as Curriculum based courses. She completed her Early Years Professional Status in September 2008.

Ena Pyner has worked in Playgroups for 14 years as well as 4+. She has worked with children one to one. She is a qualified teacher and has studied at the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre. She is a volunteer helper on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

Sarah Cordwent started as a paid assistant in November 2000. She has been on various short courses and has completed her NVQ2 in Childcare and Education. She is also the leader of our Toddler Group.

Di Christensen started as Support Worker in 2009. She has many years experience as a Teaching Assistant and has a NVQ3 Qualification. She supervises our Monfday and Wednesday sessions.

Tina Cockram started as relief assistant in 2009. She has been involved with playgroup as a parent helper and committee member for many years. She gained her NVQ2 in Childcare in October 2009.

Claire Marshall Tucker is our Administrator. She started working for playgroup in 2007.She also volunteers on a Tuesday morning and started her NVQ2 training in March 2010.

Playgroup Committee