Meet The Team
All staff receive relevant Level 2 Safeguarding training every two years and the majority of our staff also hold a Paediatric First Aid qualification. We are a very experienced team guided by our core values and a passion to excel in the profession; Continual Personal Development (CPD) is important to us. We are all mums ourselves (many of our children attended the preschool), and we all strive to give the children the best experiences possible, whilst helping them to achieve their full potential.
Penny Carey – Director – Manager
My name is Penny Carey and I joined Elmwood Preschool in 2000 as an Early Years Practitioner. I have a level 3 Cache in Preschool Practice and I am now the Managing Director of the setting. I manage the day to day running of the setting, ensuring standards are maintained as necessary to the requirements of OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education) and I am also the Designated Lead (Child Protection Officer). My main aims are for the setting to run smoothly, with parents and staff working together to create the best possible environment for children to learn through play.
Natasha Ewer – Director - Deputy Manager – Supervisor
My name is Natasha Ewer and I qualified in childcare in 1996 with a Diploma in Nursery Nursing, NNEB Level 3, progressing to Senior Nursery Nurse in 1997. I became Deputy Manager in the 3-5’s room in April 2000 at a nursery in Basildon, where in 2005 I was promoted to Nursery Manager. I joined Elmwood Preschool in 2013, subsequently joining the Management Team as Director in October 2016. I run the Rising 5's class 'Little Learners' and am also the Deputy Designated Lead for the setting.
Lynsey Wilkinson – Director - Practitioner
My name is Lynsey Wilkinson. I joined Elmwood Preschool in September 1995 and became a Director in April 2011 when the Preschool changed it's status to a Community Interest Company. In May 2014 I qualified in CACHE Level 2 Children and Young Peoples Workforce (QCF).
Jane Davies – Director - Office Manager
I started working as the Preschool Administrator in February 2012 just a few months after my son left the setting to start school, and joined the Management Team as a Director in June 2017. I hold a BA(Hons) in Accounting and Finance.
Louise Tindall – Practitioner and Supervisor
I joined Preschool in April 2004. I have a Cache Level 2 in Preschool Care and Education and in September 2010 I completed my Cache Level 3 Diploma in Preschool Education. I supervise in both the Preschool and the Rising 5’s Class, Little Learners.
Paulette Adelizzi–Swain – Director - Practitioner and Supervisor
I joined Preschool in 2006. I completed my Cache Level 2 in Preschool Practice and in 2010 I went on to achieve my Level 3. I supervise sessions in Preschool.
Shirley Bradfield – Practitioner and Supervisor
I joined Preschool as a Midday Assistant in 2011. I now work as a practitioner (and supervisor) in the setting having qualified in Cache Level 2 Children and Young Peoples Workforce in May 2014.
Gemma Huddleston – Practitioner and Supervisor
I have been qualified in childcare since August 2003, when I gained a NNEB Level 3 in Childcare. I worked in day nurseries in Goodmayes and Danbury before joining Elmwood Preschool as a Practitioner in 2017. I also supervise some sessions in Preschool.
Natalie Wood – Practitioner and Supervisor
I joined Preschool in 2003, working until 2011 when I left to have my second child, and returned in September 2020. I studied at South East Essex College where I gained a BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies in 2001.
Claire Brant – Practitoner and Midday Assistant
I joined Elmwood Preschool in September 2020. I started as a Midday Assistant and have since completed a NCFE CACHE Caring for Children and Young People Level 2 qualification so help out in sessions when needed. I love being part of the Preschool team.
Debbie Truman – Practitioner and Midday Assistant
I joined Elmwood Preschool in September 2020. I gained an NNEB Level 3 diploma in Childcare in 1994. I then worked as a private nanny until stopping to have my own children. I was then awarded a CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Home-based Childcare in 2006 and I have worked part-time as a childminder ever since.
Roxanne Lane – Practitioner and Midday Assistant
I started working at Elmwood Preschool in February 2020 as a Midday Assistant and in 2023, I gained a NCFE CACHE Caring for Children and Young People Level 2 qualification and now also work as a practitioner. I love coming into the setting, seeing the children's faces and watching them learn and grow.
Amy Cousins - Practitioner and Midday Assistant
I have held a CACHE Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education since July 2006 and joined Elmwood Preschool as a Practitioner in 2023. I previously worked in a day nursery for 15 years and absolutely love working in Early Years, being able to watch the children learn and grow.
Kellie Allen - Practitioner and Midday Assistant
I joined Elmwood Preschool in November 2022 as a Midday Assistant. I have since gained a NCFE CACHE Caring for Children and Young People Level 2 qualification and I now also work as a practitioner.
Lois Bassett - Practitioner and Midday Assistant
I qualified with a Diploma in Nursery Nursing in 2000 before going on to gain a Level 4 BTEC Professional Diploma in Hospital Play Specialism. I worked in hospitals for ten years, first in a local A&E department and then as a Hospital Play Specialist at Great Ormond Street. I then went on to work as a Community Nursery Nurse with local Surestart and Health Visitor teams. I joined Elmwood Preschool in April 2024 as a Practitioner and Midday Assistant.
Laura Warne - Midday Assistant
I started working at Elmwood Preschool in January 2023 as a Midday Assistant and sometimes help out in sessions when needed.
Stacey Maskell - Midday Assistant
I started working at Elmwood Preschool in February 2024 as a Midday Assistant. I hold a distinction in Health & Social Care and sometimes help out in sessions when needed.
Dionne Croker - Practitioner and Midday Assistant
I have a BTEC National Diploma Level 3 in Childhood Studies and have previouly worked as an LSA in a primary school. I joined Elmwood Preschool in June 2024 to cover Maternity leave.
Jenny Hardy - Bank staff
I hold a CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare Practice and worked at Elmwood Preschool for many years as a practitioner. Since February 2022, I have taken a bit of a step back to spend more time with family but I still cover sessions and lunch sessions when required.