Meet the Team

Jenna

Hello, my name is Jenna, the owner and nursery manager. Come along and meet me and take a tour of Explorers. A mum of 5 and a wife to Farmer Carl we all embrace Explorers and all our families are an extension of our own family.

• Level 3 Childcare
• Level 2 Safeguarding (designated lead)
• Level 2 Health and Safety
• Paediatric First Aid
• Food Hygiene Certificate
• Level 3 Forest School Leader

Famer Carl

Hello my name is Carl, also known as ‘Farmer Carl’ to the children. I am married to Jenna, the nursery business manager and owner. I work on the farm and the children often tell me all about their adventures when I see them out and about on the farm. They are always eager to know what I am doing, and never cease to amaze me with their questions about my machines and the animals.

Babies Room

Joanne

Hello, my name is Joanne (or Jo-Jo to the children!) and I am Senior Lead in Babies Room. I have worked across all ages during my twenty years in childcare, but when I joined Explorers Nine years ago, I joined as Babies Room Lead as that’s my true passion. I work alongside a strong team to give the best care; my main priority is ensuring the babies in my care are loved and cared for like my own. Working in Babies Room is not a job, it’s a passion; being part of those first milestones is a privilege that I am grateful for. I have always loved the great outdoors, being a mum of two has seen me on many adventures and now I get to be outdoors everyday being adventurous with my little friends! 2022 allowed me to develop my skills and become a Level 3 forest school lead, this is a huge achievement for me and I’m so excited to but all my new knowledge to work.

Qualifications:

Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate
Level 3 Forest School Leader

Lauren – Currently on maternity leave

Hello, my name is Lauren. I

have worked across all ages during my six years at Explorers. After becoming a parent myself, I realised my passion was in Babies Room, where I work alongside a strong team to give the best care and deliver a range of exciting and at times messy opportunities to our youngest learners! I believe strongly in the benefits of outdoor learning and I’m committed to ensuring Explorers’ babies learn and develop in our outstanding outdoor environment.

Qualifications:

Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Kerys

Hello, my name is Kerys and I am proud to have recently completed my level 3 in early years. Over the last few year’s I have enjoyed working with all ages but my passion is working in Baby room. I love that each day brings new learning and no day is ever the same.

Qualifications:

Paediatric First Aid
Level 3 childcare

Stacey

Hello, my name is Stacey and I am proud to have completed my level 3 in early years. I have now embarked on my level 4 qualification. I am a mum to two young children, which has given me a first-hand experience of childcare as I have watched my own girls grow and develop. My passion for child development has influenced my recent career change from retail to childcare, and I am relishing the challenge! I feel such a sense of pride when I see a child using a skill independently, which I have previously demonstrated and supported them with. My favourite activity at Explorers is Forest School as it is wonderful to see the children flourish in such a unique environment.

Qualifications:

Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate
Level 3 childcare

Tweenies Room

Amy

Hello, my name is Amy, and I began my journey as an Early Years Apprentice. I loved working in all of the rooms, but found that working with our youngest Explorers was what I was most passionate about. I have since become involved in developing and opening the Tweenies room! I am ecstatic about this new challenge and I think Emily and I will make an awesome team, as our combined skills will ensure that our Tweenies never stop being curious about learning.

Qualifications:

Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Kenzie

Hello, my name is Kenzie and I am an early years practitioner at Explorer’s. The love for working with children all began when studying at college and going on different placements – I knew this is what I wanted to do! I am looking forward to continuing my Explorer’s journey and working with Amy and they other girls in Tweenies.

Qualifications:

Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate
Level 3 childcare

Caitlin

Hello, my name is Caitlin and I am an early years practitioner. I am a very creative person. The skills I developed through my degree, of performing arts, allows me to bring some wonderful things to the tweenie’s room. When I embarked on my early years apprenticeship, I never imagined I would love it as much. I have now found my forever career and love working along side the girls in tweenies room

Tots Room

Emily

Hello, my name is Emily, and I am working in the Tots Room. I love getting creative, providing the children with a range of experiences to explore using their senses. Working at Explorers, I’m also privileged to spend so much of my time outdoors. I especially enjoy participating in weekly Forest School sessions, helping around the fire and using the tools in the woodland area to support our children to begin to develop lifelong skills.

Qualifications:

Level 5 Degree
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Megan

Hello, my name is Megan and I am Senior Lead in Tots Room. I originally started my journey here at Explorers in Preschool, however I have now progressed my role to become a senior member of staff in Tots Room. Having experience working with a range of ages, I understand the importance of having an inviting and enabling environment that stimulates learning and creates opportunities for the children in my care. One of the most rewarding aspects of working with our Tots, is seeing them develop confidence as they move from support to being able to complete tasks themselves. I also enjoy participating in Tots Adventures each week, which exposes children to a range of experiences.

Qualifications:

Level 6 Degree in Education and Training
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Emily

Hello, my name is Emily H , and I am working in the Tots Room. I will be the senior lead across the 0-3 age range. I spent 7 years with Explores before taken a short break to work with health professionals. I have broadened my knowledge in all areas of speech and language, healthy eating, and feel I have lots of new skills to bring back to the Explorers team. I am so excited about my new challenge of working with the younger Explorers and can’t wait to get back into the forest.

Qualifications:

Forest school qualified
Level 4 childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Amy

Hello, my name is Amy and I am a practitioner in Tots. I love getting to know each of the children I work with, their interests and their families as this enables me to support and challenge their development. Having experience working with a range of ages, I understand the importance of creating opportunities for the children in my care.

Qualifications:

Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid

Preschool

Hollie

Hello, my name is Hollie and I am a senior practitioner in Preschool. I am also Behaviour Management Lead, working with children, families and staff to achieve the best outcomes. I love getting to know each of the children I work with, their interests and their families as this enables me to support and challenge their development. Working in Preschool is incredibly rewarding, and I feel such pride when I see a young learner achieve their goals, knowing that I have aided them in their quest.

Qualifications:

Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Harriet

Hello, my name is Harriet, and I am a senior practitioner in Preschool. I have a wealth of knowledge and I am passionate about ‘in-the-moment’ learning, as it enables me to share unique learning opportunities with our young learners. My favourite aspect of Preschool is that each day presents a new challenge; I am so lucky to be part of so many children’s journeys! I understand the important role that outdoor learning plays in child development, and I have fully embraced our Forest School sessions and my biggest achievement in 2022 was becoming a level three forest school lead.

Qualifications:

Level 6 Degree in Education and Care
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate
Level 3 Forest School Leader

Sophie

Hello, my name is Sophie and I am an experienced practitioner in Preschool. Having previously worked in a variety of settings, I have been able to bring new ideas to Preschool and love working with the team to create exciting learning opportunities for the children in our care. I am passionate about the enabling environment and find joy in adapting both the indoor and outdoor learning environment to support and challenge the children. I love being part of the Explorers’ family as it allows me to follow my passion for being outdoors; being located on a farm provides so many unique experiences, such as watching calves and lambs being born!

Qualifications:

Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Emma

Hello, my name is Emma, and I am an Experienced practitioner in Preschool. I have a wealth of knowledge and experience to support children. I am passionate about ‘making all children inclusive, this enables me work on 1-1 ratio enriching learning opportunities with my young learners. My favourite aspect of Preschool is that each day presents a new challenge; I am so lucky to be part of so many children’s journeys! I understand the important role that outdoor learning plays in child development, and I have fully embraced our Forest School sessions with all the children.

Qualifications:

Level 5
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Izzy

Hello, my name is Izzy and I am a practitioner in Preschool. I love getting to know each of the children I work with, their interests and their families as this enables me to support and challenge their development. Working in Preschool is incredibly rewarding, and I feel such pride when I see a young learner achieve their goals, knowing that I have aided them in their quest.

Qualifications:

Level 6 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Ebonie

Hello, my name is Ebonie and I am a practitioner in Preschool. I love getting to know each of the children I work with, their interests and their families as this enables me to support and challenge their development. Working in Preschool is incredibly rewarding. I have a passion for outdoor learning and love the forest school sessions.

Qualifications:

Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Alilyah

Hello, my name is Ebonie and I am a practitioner in Preschool. I love getting to know each of the children I work with, their interests and their families as this enables me to support and challenge their development. have a passion for outdoor learning and love the forest school sessions.

Qualifications:

Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid

Early Years Apprentices

Jessica

Hello, my name Jessica and I am an apprentice at Explorer’s, currently based in Preschool Room. I am the youngest member of my Explorers family but that doesn’t stop me bringing lots of fun and creativity to Preschool. I knew this is what I wanted to do when i left school and I’m excited about my own Explorers journey.

Qualifications:

Working toward Level 3 in Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene Certificate

Lacey

Hello, my name is Lacey and I am an apprentice at Explorer’s, currently based in Baby Room. I am looking forward to my Explorer’s journey and working with children of all ages as I continue my study.

Qualifications

Paediatric First Aid

Emily W

Hello, my name is Emily and I am an apprentice at Explorer’s, currently based in Baby Room. I am looking forward to my Explorer’s journey and working with children of all ages as I continue my study.

Grace

Hello, my name is Grace and I am an apprentice at Explorer’s, currently based in Baby Room. I am looking forward to my Explorer’s journey and working with children of all ages as I continue my study.

Kitchen Staff

Carol

Hello, my name is Carol and I work at Explorers as the Kitchen assistant. I help to serve up meals to children and ensure the environment is safe and clean for them. It is wonderful to watch the children enjoy freshly made meals.

Please note, all staff have completed their Level 2 Safeguarding training.

Kitchen Staff

Marie

Hello, my name is Marie and I have just joined the Explorers family. I have over 30 years experience in catering. I will be head Chef in the kitchen, and I am very excited about creating some delicious meals for the children and staff.