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Meet the Woodlands Team

Our staff at Woodlands Nursery exemplify all that is wonderful about Early Years educators.  Passionate about their work, constantly striving to create the very best environment and experiences for the youngest members of the Beechwood Family and full of seemingly boundless energy; the whole school is incredibly proud of the special place that the Woodlands Team have created on the edge of the Beechwood Park Forest.

MRS ZOE PRITCHARD, HEAD OF WOODLANDS NURSERY

During my career I have enjoyed teaching children from Nursery upwards in the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Taiwan and the Netherlands. Nursery is by far my favourite year group and working with the children at Woodlands is especially joyful. I find my job energising and thoroughly enjoy learning from the children in my care and, in turn, furthering their achievements.

My experiences have opened my eyes to the different ways children learn, their differing languages and their cultural backgrounds. Our role as educators, is to support not only the children but also their families and at Woodlands, we pride ourselves on our mission to Nurture, Engage, Inspire and Enable children in their learning.

I have always counted myself to be exceptionally lucky as educating young children is rewarding, exciting and full of adventure. There is never a dull day here at Beechwood Park School and Woodlanders are encouraged to be inquisitive, daring and proud learners.

DONNA, DEPUTY HEAD OF WOODLANDS NURSERY

I have worked in Early Years for over twenty five years and have extensive experience in educating children aged two to five years. As Deputy Head of Woodlands, I support the management of the nursery to ensure every child can be the best they can be. I am a firm believer in building good, strong, relationships with parents, carers and children within our care and understand how important it is for us to support you throughout your child’s journey. It is so rewarding seeing how children progress through their education and how they develop in all areas of our Early Years’ curriculum.

After returning to study five years ago, I am now in my last year of gaining my Early Years (BA Hons) degree which has been a huge but tremendously fulfilling, commitment. In my spare time however, I do enjoy attending and watching Tottenham Hotspur Football matches and socialising with friends. Travelling into London is also a favourite pastime where I like going to the theatre and enjoying plenty of shopping!

Emma

I have been teaching for more than fifteen years and I was drawn to work at Woodlands because of the clear love and excitement that the staff have for the children. There never seems to be a ‘typical’ day here … one day we are making up dances to pop songs, the next day we are rolling down the hill with pure joy and the following day we are creating bicycles from biscuits!

There are endless experiences and opportunities for the children in all areas of the Early Years Curriculum. The care shown by the staff to the children is tangible and, as a staff team, we also care in the same way about each other. In my ‘spare’ time I am a mummy to my gorgeous son. We love playing board games, eating chocolate and meeting up with friends for adventures.

Sophie

I have worked with children for over ten years. Eight of these, the most enjoyable ones, have been at Woodlands. I love working at Woodlands because the staff take account of all children’s needs and interests, valuing each and every child. We do amazing activities which engage not only the children but the adults too. The environment is one you wouldn’t get everywhere, and I feel very lucky to work here.  

In my spare time I enjoy cooking new recipes at home, especially my favourite pasta! I have a passion for fashion, and I enjoy going to the theatre, watching people dance and sing. 

Catherine

I have been working with young children for over ten years now and find it very rewarding and inspiring. I feel honoured to work in an amazing, high quality nursery full of fun and creativity. I appreciate creating relationships with children where they feel they can trust and rely on me.

I love to laugh and have fun with the children as well as engage in conversations with them in which I hear the most interesting things. I feel it is very important to listen to children and love to hear what they have to say. The mixture of personalities of the children is amazing to be around every day.

I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to look after young children as well as working with such a wonderful team who engage and inspire me daily.

In my spare time, I mostly enjoy spending time with my family and friends who are very important to me, as well as exploring photography and dance.

Ruth

I have worked in Early Years for over twenty years, and, after a short break, I’m delighted to have returned to Woodlands, to the pleasure of working with a team of gifted and dedicated adults and to the joy of being able to support the youngest members of the Beechwood community as they start out on their learning journey. I firmly believe that support is most effective when delivered in partnership with parents and I look forward to forming a strong relationship with the families of my key children. My favourite quality is enthusiasm and Woodlanders, children and adults alike, have that by the bucket load. Being part of the Woodlands environment is, for me, a privilege. 

I have lived close to Beechwood Park for most of my adult life and both my, now grown-up, children were at the school from Reception to Top Form. 

I like mud and fun … neither of which are in short supply at Woodlands! I enjoy taking learning outside and, when not at Woodlands, I like to get outdoors for long walks and to garden. My other passion is for words. I’m fond of reading, writing and enormously fond of chatting. You have been warned! 

Kylie

I am a busy dad of triplets who have been lucky enough to be educated here at Beechwood Park; they have absolutely thrived during their seven years which is no surprise to me as the school is a fabulous place to be with so much on offer. When the family are not at Beechwood Park we are usually enjoying a range of sporting or music activities, getting out and about or travelling somewhere new! 

Having been brought up in the great outdoors of New Zealand, and as an avid All Blacks fan, I have a particular passion for nurturing children’s physical development. I have taught PE to young children for 20+ years in New Zealand, Japan and the UK and was Director of Sport here at Beechwood Park School for ten years before moving back to a classroom based role. 

I enjoy making personal connections with children and providing an environment where children feel safe to play, explore and be creative. Working with children in the Early Years gives me a great chance to play too! 

Natalie

I have taught in Early Years for over twenty years, and this is by far my most favourite place of work. Woodlands Nursery is a magical Early Years setting. The grounds are magnificent, and we have great fun exploring them with our eager Woodlanders. As teachers, we are also given the freedom to follow the children’s interests, so every day takes us to an exciting place, full of creativity, investigations and fun. 

Outside of school, I love to explore the countryside with my rather excitable cocker spaniel ‘Dottie’. I also like to bake cakes with my daughter and, very occasionally, they are almost edible. 

Tracy

I have taught children in Early Years for the last twenty years. I am so pleased to have joined Woodlands Nursery – it is such a fun and inspiring place to work and the friendly team is passionate about creating a wonderful learning environment. 

I am now officially an ‘empty nest mum’, with my two daughters now living and working in their university towns. I often commute to Scotland and Manchester in the school holidays for visits. 

I am kept busy out of school with two old horses to look after and can often be found out walking in the countryside. I am also currently studying to teach children mindfulness to support their mental and emotional wellbeing.