Staff and Committee

"The Manager and Staff are inspiring role models. They teach children to share and be kind towards each other … Children's individual needs are exceedingly well met by the attentive and kind staff.” OFSTED REPORT 2019

Lisa Wood Pre-School Manager

Lisa is a creative manager with a wealth of experience. Lisa holds a BA (Hons) with Qualified Teacher Status and is our Safeguarding Lead. Lisa is a sensitive practitioner and believes in a child-led approach to development. Her greatest strength is her ability to think outside of the box and help each child develop as an individual. Lisa is our Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

Sally-Ann Smith

A brilliant Deputy Leader (and former midwife!) Sally-Ann has a real skill for encouraging self-confidence in children. With our Pre-School for nine years, she holds an NNEB, recognised as the ‘gold standard for childcare'. All of the primary school children still call to her over the Pre-School fence, a testament to the warmth and time she gives to each child. Sally-Ann is a senior first aider and Deputy Safeguarding Lead.

Lizzie Jones

Lizzie is a compassionate practitioner who has worked at pre-schools for over ten years and is qualified to Level 2 in Childcare. Mum of four, she's a natural multi-tasker, competent horse rider and gifted craft guru. Skilled at engaging children in activities and conversation, Lizzie's interests are speech, language & additional educational needs.

Jenny Lewis

A former Pre-School mum, Jen is working towards her Level 2 in Childcare. Kind and always ready to help, Jen particularly enjoys the “understanding the world” area of the EYFS; gardening, forest school, animals and the environment around them. Jen enjoys building trusting and warm relationships with every child.

Management:

Longtown Pre-School is a not for profit charity (number 1042552). Whilst the staff manage the setting, it is run by a voluntary management Committee, which ensures major decision making is in the hands of the parents. Pre-School could not operate without the Committee, so parental involvement in the Pre-School is essential.

The committee is made up of Trustees who are elected by the parents of the children who attend our setting. The elections take place at our Annual General Meeting. The committee make up the registered person with Ofsted and are responsible for:

• Managing the setting’s finances
• Employing and managing the staff
• Ensuring the setting has – and works to – policies that help it to provide a high quality service
• Ensuring the setting works in partnership with the children’s parents.

Committee members provide ‘behind the scenes’ support to the Manager and also fundraise for funds for resources and maintenance, ensuring the setting is able to keep running.