Meet The Team
Penny Carey – Director – Manager
My name is Penny Carey and I joined Elmwood Preschool in 2000 as a preschool practitioner. I have a level 3 Cache in Preschool Practice and I am now the Managing Director of the setting and the Management Team. I am the designated Child Protection officer and 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). 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 Preschool in 2013 and joined the Management Team as Director in October 2016. I 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 2014 I qualified in CACHE level 2 Children and Young Peoples workforce (QCF).
Jane Davies – Director - Office Manager
I started working at the Preschool as Administrator in February 2012 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 successfully passed my 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
My name is Paulette Adelizzi-Swain. 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.
Shirley Bradfield – Practitioner and Supervisor
My name is Shirley Bradfield. I joined Preschool as a Midday Assistant in 2011.
I now work as a practitioner in the setting having qualified in Cache Level 2 Children and Young Peoples Workforce in 2014.
Gemma Huddleston – Practitioner and Supervisor
My name is Gemma Huddleston. I have a NNEB Level 3 in childcare. I have been qualified in childcare since 2003. I worked in a day nursery in Goodmayes, a day nursery in Danbury before joining Elmwood Preschool in 2017.
Natalie Wood – Practitioner and Supervisor
My name is Natalie Wood. I joined Preschool in 2003, working until 2011 when I left to have my second child. I recently 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
My name is Claire Brant, I have 3 children at Elmwood Primary School. I joined Elmwood Preschool in September 2020. I started as a Midday Assistant and have since completed a Level 2 Early Years qualification so help out in sessions when needed. I have completed my First Aid in Paediatric care, and Level 2 Safeguarding in Early Years.
I love being part of the Preschool team.
Debbie Truman – Practitioner and Midday Assistant
My name is Debbie Truman and 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
My name is Roxanne Lane. I started working at Elmwood Preschool in February 2020 as a Midday Assistant and am now a Level 2 practitioner after qualifying in 2023. I love coming into the setting, seeing the children's faces and watching them learn and grow.
Amy Cousins - Practitioner and Midday Assistant
My name is Amy Cousins, I joined the preschool as a practitioner in 2023, I have a cache level 3 qualification in child care and education.
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.