Nursery Lodge Team - Little Forest Schools

STAFF TEAM FOR NURSERY LODGE

Mrs Angela Clift

Proprietor

Mrs Clift is the Proprietor of Little Forest Schools; she started her training as a young adult by studying childcare and working in small Nursery Schools in the local area. Mrs Clift went on to gain a BA (Hons) Degree in Social Work and a Post Graduate Certificate in Childcare at Brunel University. After working 8 years in Children & Family Social Services, Mrs Clift started her own family and followed her dream of opening a Nursery School. Little Forest School on the Green was established in 2006 followed by Nonsuch Park Forest School Nursery Lodge in 2013 and most recently Nonsuch Park Forest School London Lodge. Mrs Clift can often be seen in the park walking her dogs Denzel & Molly, she has a passion for outdoor learning and can often be seen at one of our settings cooking with the children on the open fire, sawing wood or building dens.

Mrs Suzanne Walsh

Director of Operations Area Manager Nursery Lodge and London Lodge

Mrs Suzanne Walsh is our Operations Director and Area Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and SENco. She holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years Education and Childcare and a Forest School Leader qualification. Mrs Walsh has over 25 years of experience in early years education having spent 12 years in a local primary school. Suzanne joined the Nonsuch Park Forest School team over 10 years ago starting as our Team Lead before taking on the responsibility of Nonsuch Park Forest School Manager 9 years ago. Suzanne has an interest in Speech and Language development in young children and supports children with Special Educational Needs. Suzanne has recently implemented the Curiosity Approach, after a year of determination and hard team efforts, Nonsuch Park Forest School is now a fully accredited Curiosity Approach setting. Suzanne’s team success of achieving the nursery school ‘Outstanding’ in our most recent Ofsted inspection. For the past two years Suzanne has supported the Department for Education (DfE) in the role of Area Lead for the Early Years Covid Recovery Program. This role supported other Nursery Schools in order to achieve higher standards of care and provision, sharing good practice.

Mr Robert Fry

Director of Accounts

Robert Fry is our Nursery School Financial Director who is responsible for our nursery budgets, funding and invoices. Mr Fry is our first point of contact with any financial queries.

Jo Ives

Director of Admissions and Administration

With over 10 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant, Office Manager and Admissions Director, Jo brings with her a wealth of knowledge within the corporate and Early Years Education sector. After having her little girl, Jo decided to embark on a career change in order to be closer to her daughter and gain knowledge of the Early Years sector, and she has not looked back since. Although Jo prefers the comforts of her office, she also loves mucking in with our Forest School activities and wild adventures.

Adelina Metuku

Deputy Manager

Adelina’s childcare journey began when she volunteered at her daughter’s school nursery, which led to undertake her Level 3 Childcare qualifications. Adelina is a passionate Early Years Educator who believes children have a right to a childhood full of nature, imagination, creativity, fun and friends. Adelina strives to empower children to make their own choices, explore their own interests and develop their ability to explore the world around them.
Adelina has over 16 years’ experience working as an Early Years Educator, the last 8 years working in Forest Schools. Adelina is excited to support the Rangers teams to deliver the best care and education for our young people.

Christine Dalglish

SENco

Christine Dalglish is our Special Educational Needs (SEN) support Teacher who supports children from across the nursery school. Christine has over 22 years’ experience in primary school and has supported children with Special Educational Needs on a one-to-one level from 4 to 11 years. Christine has completed her High-Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) qualification in 2006. This enabled Christine to teach whole classes from Reception to Year 6. Christine is trained in Emotional Literacy support Assistant (ELSA) and for six years provided emotional support for children and parents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Anxiety, Bereavement, Anger Management, Trauma, Change & Transition. Within her role, Christine also advised and supported the adults working with these children. Christine has years of experience in Speech and Language, Positive Touch and Autism.

Emma Speed

Deputy Manager

With a career spanning almost twenty qualified years in childcare, combining Private Nurseries and Nannying, Emma’s experience speaks for itself. Raising two very busy teenage boys at home, being outdoors, and immersing her family in nature has been essential for everyday fun and an active lifestyle. Emma’s love for nature and passion for childcare drew her to Nonsuch Park Forest School, and we are so lucky to have such a wonderful, kind and caring Deputy Manager as part of our Forest School family.

Corinna Birbeck

Early Years Teacher

Corinna has a BA (Hons) in Art with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and has 19 years experience of teaching in Primary Schools throughout the Borough. During this time, she has gained valuable knowledge and experience, with a focus and passion for the early years. Corinna’s enthusiasm and ethos have always been to see children reach their full potential and grow up to live rewarding and fulfilled lives. She has a passion for outdoor learning and the valuable opportunities that first hand experiences provide. Hence, her current exploration of the Forest School ethos and the attainment of a ‘Level 1 Forest School Qualification.’

Amber Botting

Early Years Educator

Amber embarked on her childcare journey over a decade ago, gaining valuable experience in nursery settings and a SEN Base. With ten years of hands – on experience, Amber has achieved her Level 2 in Early Years Education and Care and is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator Qualification.

Amber is dedicated to empowering children to explore their interests and develop essential skills.

With her extensive background in both mainstream and specialised childcare settings, Amber contributes her expertise to the team to ensure exceptional care and education for young learners.

Zuzanna Svancarkova

Zuzanna holds an Early Years degree. Zuzanna is keen to learn more about Forest School teaching and keen to help children to learn, develop and thrive within an outdoor environment.

Robyn Watson

Robyn holds a level 3 Early Years qualification. Robyn is keen to learn more about Forest School teaching and keen to help children to learn, develop and thrive within an outdoor environment.

Pheobe Medcalf

Miss Medcalf is our newly qualified Nursery Educator, Pheobe is a Scout Lead and is passionate about the great outdoors. She has worked within a local primary school nursery and is look forward to enhancing her knowledge of Forest School at Nonsuch Park Forest School.

Liubov Khonii

Liubov is a valued member of the team, having graduated in Ukraine. She has worked in both nursery and primary education, having tutored as an English language teacher. Since her 2 children attended Forest School, Liubov has gained valuable insight into understanding how wonderful and exciting outdoor exploring and learning is. She is grateful to be part of such a wonderful team, experiencing amazing approaches and curious adventures daily. She is very keen to share her experience and would like to further her Forest School knowledge and undertake the Forest Training course.

Samantha Johnston

Sam joined Nonsuch Park Forest School after a career in Aviation. Since having two small children of her own Sam has enjoyed exploring Nonsuch Park and is very keen to share her experiences as a mother. Sam is keen to contribute her love of nature and surroundings with all the children in the nursery school. She has previously studied counselling and is hoping to embark on a children’s counselling course in the near future.

Maria Hemsworth

Maria’s passion for the outdoors and all things creative is really what lead her towards her Forest School journey. With a musical background, her love for Early Years sprouted when she started work as a pre-school music teacher with children aged 6 months to 3 years. She then took her career further by leading breakfast and after school clubs in STEM and Art, which really affirmed how much she enjoys diverse and progressive, non-typical methods of teaching. This is why our Forest School was a perfect fit and she is currently studying her Level 3 in Early Years Education with us.

Lavinia Burch

Lavinia joined Nonsuch Park Forest School, bringing with her many years of experience working with children in both nursery and primary education. Lavinia loves working closely with young children and is passionate about helping them to develop in a fun, creative, engaging, and happy environment. Lavinia loves mountain hiking, cycling, and exploring the natural environment. Lavinia brings her passion of the outdoors helping children to explore their natural world around them whilst at Forest School.

Amelia Wells

Ms Amelia Wells is our Apprentice Nursery Educator Amelia has previously studied Creative Writing and has work experiences with children circus workshops, she is hoping to further her childcare experience through her passion for outdoor learning and is looking forward to the many outdoor experiences Nonsuch Park Forest School has to offer.

Alistair Heron

Mr Alistair Heron is our Apprentice Nursery Educator, he has previously supported our nursery school as a placement from college for the past year. Alistair has a passion for the outdoors and is looking forward to continuing his learning within Early Years through the many outdoor experiences Nonsuch Park Forest School has to offer.

Rachel Ferrier

Ms Rachel Ferrier is currently undertaking her Teacher Training and is part of our Nursery support staff, she has a passion for the outdoors and is looking forward to embracing Forest School practice within her Early Years Teacher Training.