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Our Staff
We have a strong team of qualified, enthusiastic practitioners who encourage and support your child to develop and grow within our friendly setting
Jayne Smith
Manager
Jayne joined Acorn Pre-School in 1997 and became Manager in 2000. With many years of experience at Acorn, she has a wealth of knowledge and a real understanding of the children, families and community the Pre-School serves.
Jayne works closely with our staff and families to ensure Acorn remains a happy, welcoming and nurturing environment where every child is supported to learn, develop and reach their full potential. She holds a Level 3 (DDP) qualification and oversees the day-to-day running of the setting.
Liz Ponting
Deputy Manager
Liz joined Acorn Pre-School in 1995, initially as a volunteer, before going on to gain her Level 3 qualification and becoming Deputy Manager in 2008.
Liz works closely alongside Jayne in the day-to-day running of Acorn and supports both our staff and families. With many years of experience at the Pre-School, she is committed to helping ensure every child feels happy, supported and gets the very best from their time at Acorn.
Jo Green
Pre-School Practitioner
Jo has been part of the Acorn Pre-School team since 2008 and brings many years of experience to her role. She holds a Level 5 qualification in Early Years and Childcare and enjoys supporting the children as they learn, play and develop, helping to create a warm and nurturing environment at Acorn.
Teresa Constance
Pre-School Practitioner
Teresa has been part of the Acorn Pre-School team since 2001, bringing many years of experience to the setting. She particularly enjoys supporting children through outdoor play, encouraging them to explore, discover and learn through hands-on experiences. Teresa also has British Sign Language (BSL) skills, which she uses to support communication and inclusion within the Pre-School.
Charlotte Chambers
Pre-School Practitioner/SenCo
Charlotte joined Acorn Pre-School in 2018 and is a Pre-School Practitioner and joint SENCo alongside Sophie. She works closely with children, families and the wider team to support individual needs and help ensure every child feels happy, included and supported throughout their time at Acorn.
Sophie Searle
Pre-School Practitioner/SenCo
Sophie joined Acorn in 2023 as a Pre-School Practitioner and is also our joint SENCo alongside Charlotte. She supports children with additional needs and works closely with the team to help ensure every child feels included, supported and able to thrive at Acorn.
Johanne Roberts
Pre-School Practitioner
Johanne joined the Acorn team in 2022 as a Pre-School Practitioner. She works alongside the team to provide a caring and supportive environment, helping our children to learn, develop and enjoy their time at Acorn.