Joanne (Group Owner and Manager)

Formal Qualifications

• BA Early Years and Childhood Studies
• EYPS (Early Years Professional Status)
• SENDCO
• Equal Opportunities
• Looked After Children
• Safeguarding
• Safeguarding Trainer

Experience

I have worked within children’s education since 1992, initially at a private nursery where my own children attended where I completed my first qualification, a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education before moving to Lower School. I have supported children with SEND including those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, genetic disorders Cerebral palsy and global developmental delay. I have also supported vulnerable children. This enabled me to widen my knowledge of child development and their holistic needs, gaining full understanding of where children begin their first steps into education and then supporting the transition/ extending their knowledge and skill into lower school. I left my school role to open my first nursery in 1997, adding a second in 2006.

To support this role I completed a BA Degree in Early Childhood Studies, then becoming an Early Years Professional through an additional university qualification. I continually update my skill and knowledge to ensure my team, parents and families are fully supported and valued throughout their time with us.

The vital importance of teamwork has been a common thread throughout my professional career and I am proud to lead the Poppies team, where all my staff show commitment and empathy for their role within our group.

Curriculum interests/ skills

My extensive research into child wellbeing has led to our group ethos embracing nature both in and outdoors. Such research has shown the positive effects of nature/ natural elements on childrensc personal, social and emotional development therefore we incorporate this within everyday life within the settings. If children feel calm, secure and safe they are confident and develop the self-esteem to explore and engage with their environment, the children, adults and materials around them.

I also value the outdoors for promoting energetic exploration on a large scale; this very popular with all children, particularly boys! My degree dissertation proved the combination of outdoor play with highly motivated and engaged staff boosted children’s development enormously. Our extensive opportunities and open-door policy reflect this understanding, providing children daily with freedom to experience outdoors all year round.