Staff
Rachel King – Marketing and Finance
My name is Rachel. I am a co-owner and Marketing and Finance Manager. I am Deputy Manager and a baby room practitioner. Before taking over Pegwell Bay Nursery in August 2017 I had been a childminder for 10 years. I have a Level 3 in early years studies.
What I love more about working in the nursery is the family that we have created.
Working by myself for many years I didn’t realise just how important this was. We share ideas on activities and learning for the children which then helps in their progress.
I get so much satisfaction from seeing a child progress in my care. I am a caring and loving professional and feel that my strengths are sitting and listening to the children and bringing a fun side to learning.
I have bought up 3 wonderful boys who give me a lot of joy and definitely gave me my love for children.
Katrina Brown – Nursery Manager
My name is Katrina. I became Nursery Manager, DSL and SENCO and co-owner with Rachel in 2018.
I have loved working with children in a managerial role for the past 17 years. I have worked with children with autism and also children from disaffected backgrounds who have presented with varying needs and difficulties. Initially I worked at Stone Bay Special School before transferring over to The Royal Harbour Academy where I managed the Alternative Curriculum Centre.
I love helping children, watching them grow and develop into confident people. I love making a difference however small, and will go that extra mile to support all children to believe in themselves.
I am a kind, caring and passionate person who will also endeavour to do the best for all children. My ethos is that if I can make a difference to one child, I’ve done my job.
I am the proud mother of Lois and my step son Tom and have a beautiful grandchild Willow.
Qualifications include NVQ 3 and 4 in caring for children and young people.
ANITA JONES – SENCO and Nursery Practitioner
Hello, my name is Anita. I began my career as a 1:1 support for SEN children, where I worked for 3 years with a range of needs and abilities. I then moved to a larger nursery to extend my knowledge and understanding, before moving on to a residential children’s home where I dealt with an array of behaviours supporting them in a therapeutic approach as well as supporting two individuals with SEN.
I began my journey with Pegwell Bay Nursery in April 2022 and have loved every moment, working as part of the most supportive team. My role also includes the role of SENCO which is something I am extremely passionate about. I have completed my level 1 sign language and basic makaton training, mental health wellbeing, nutritional training, behaviour management and safeguarding. I have also developed my knowledge throughout my journey and am always keen to further my knowledge with various training courses and experiences.
I have a huge passion to support children to achieve their highest potential whilst also working closely with parents to support them with any concerns they have along the way.
Jane Clark – Qualified Teacher Status
I have been lucky to have the opportunity to teach all over the world. It is fascinating to learn from different cultures and to adopt best practice from such a wealth of experience. Although I have taught every age group, including adults, Early Years is my favourite.
In the nursery setting you have the freedom to follow the Childrens interests and to support them in developing the skills to begin a life time love of learning.
Mary Johnson – Nursery Practitioner
Hello, my name is Mary, I have recently joined the friendly and fun team at Pegwell Bay Nursery, they have all made me feel very welcome from my first day.
I have 18 years experience in childcare after deciding on a career change when my two children started their own journey in Primary Education. While at another local setting I achieved my level 2 & 3 in Childcare along with Level 2 in Autism/Challenging Behaviour and various courses relating to early years. During the last 8 years, I was promoted to the Team Leader of the pre-school room. I love working with this age group for their fun (lots of dancing and singing) and questioning of their world and surroundings. It makes me happy watching them continue their next steps into “big school” seeing what they have achieved while in my care.
Millie Bligh – Nursery Practitioner
Hello, my name is Millie. I qualified as a level 3 in Early Years Education at college in 2022 and have recently joined the lovely team at Pegwell Bay Nursery.
I have a big family myself and have babysat for many years before I studied Childcare.
I have already learnt so much about the children and their families and am very much enjoying being part of their learning journey and seeing them grown.
Christina Waddon – Nursery Practitioner
Hello my name is Christina. I enjoy helping children as they begin their journey in education.
I’ve been in nurseries for over 12 years, after completing a level 2 certificate in college. I then completed my level 3 diploma whilst working full time.
I’ve had a break from childcare since becoming a mother myself 4 years ago and I can’t wait to get stuck into nursery life again!
I love nothing more than helping children learn through play and I think it’s so rewarding when you see a child grasp a particular concept or master a new skill.
Which is why I took the ECAT (every child a talker) course in my previous nursery and developed a speech and language programme to help children who presented with difficulties in communication.
Gymnastics has always been a huge passion of mine. I hope I can try and bring some of the skills I learnt into the nursery.
I really believe helping children to be active is a great way to boost their learning in other areas of the curriculum.
Darren Roberts – Nursery Practitioner/Apprentice
My name is Darren, I joined the team at Pegwell Bay Nursery in early 2022 to start a level 3 apprenticeship in Early Years Education.
I have a young daughter who also attended Pegwell Bay Nursery and I loved watching her blossom whilst she learned, played and made friends there. I found great enjoyment in helping her learn, grow and discover new skills, helping her develop into the child she is today. This is the reason I changed career and this is the way I like to encourage all the children to grow, whilst coming up with creative ways to engage with them.
I love watching the children grow and develop whilst building strong bonds in a family friendly environment. I enjoy working with the children in our outdoor learning environment, planting and growing fruits and vegetables, ensuring the children cherish their time at nursery.
Marie Hall – Nursery Practitioner
My name is Marie. I am a qualified level 2 Nursery Practitioner currently doing my level 3. I have always loved working with children, being part of their next steps and watching them grow into unique individuals.
It is always a joy to see the children having fun, building relationships and developing their own skills.
I am a mum myself with a son, step daughter and two grandchildren. I am very caring and family orientated.
I have just recently joined the Pegwell Bay Nursery family and I’m loving getting to know all the children and families.
Paige Thomas – Nursery Practitioner/Apprentice
Hello, my name is Paige. I joined Pegwell Bay Nursery as an apprentice working towards my level 3.
The best thing about working in early years, is helping and watching the children learn new skills and overcome challenges. I come from a very caring family and have always looked after younger family members. Last year I overcome my fear of being away from my family with no internet to message or call. I volunteered for 2 weeks in an orphanage in Ghana where we stayed in a local school. I gained the best experience and lasting memories whilst here. I have now signed up to go to Kenya in 2024 to experience the same and to help support children 0-10 in a safe house.
