Knowle Nursery School

My mother Julia owned the nursery for over 25 years. I attended the setting when it was based in Cranleigh Cricket Club and have fond memories of doing the Hokey Cokey! I took over the running of Knowle Nursery School April 2013 and have come from a creative background with BA Hons degree in Business and Management. Having completed the NVQ level 3 qualification in 2014, I have gone on to complete the Elklan Early Language Programme along with becoming a Level 3 Forest School leader and I qualified as an Early Years Teacher in 2021. Along with the rest of the staff I am committed to my continuous professional development and regularly attended Surrey management networking events along with keeping up to date with Safeguarding..

I became a Mummy in 2015 and am well supported by the wonderful team to balance work and family life!

My favourite things to do are messy outdoor play, building dens and fires in the woods and helping children reach their full potential.

After completing my ‘A’ levels I undertook a private secretary certificate qualification (PSC). This lead me into the business world where I worked in a couple of engineering companies and a pharmaceutical company as well. However, I thoroughly loved being at home with my children and after a few years registered as a childminder.

When my fourth child started school in 2005 I was delighted and very fortunate to gain a position as a childcare assistant at Knowle Nursery. My experience and knowledge has grown over the past ten years. As well as completing a NVQ Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Development, I also share the role of SENCO and this has enriched my knowledge further and continues to do so.

I love working with such a wonderful, friendly and dedicated team who share a common goal. My favourite activities are sharing stories (using props), music and movement, playing games and chatting with the children. It is a privilege getting to know them all, helping them settle and develop into confident and happy individuals, ready for the next step in their lives.

I originally started my working life as a Secretary where I enjoyed a variety of jobs for many years. I registered as a Childminder after having my first daughter and I was asked to join the Knowle Team as a childcare assistant whilst my third daughter was at the nursery. I have an NVQ 3 qualification in Childcare. Nine years later I feel very privileged to still be working in such a caring and positive environment with an amazing team of staff, parents and children.

My favourite things to do are reading and acting out stories with the children, settling the children into the nursery routine, watching their personalities blossom and seeing them grow in confidence.

I completed my NNEB training twenty five years ago and have been working with children ever since. I have worked as a maternity nurse, nanny and in the Nursery at the British School in Tokyo. The last job I had before having my own children was as a nursery manager at an international school in Prague.

I sent my children to Knowle nursery and when my third left to go to school I was lucky enough to stay on!

I really enjoy singing with the children, telling them stories and cooking with them.

My daughters both attended Knowle Nursery and I was delighted to be invited to join the Knowle team when my younger daughter went into Reception. She’s now in Secondary School! After completing my BA in French and History I spent three years in France studying and teaching English and subsequently completed a PGCE in Primary Education. I have enjoyed teaching at KS1 and KS2 as well as working in Adult Basic Skills Education and I love working in Early Years here at Knowle. I have a real interest in inclusive learning and in supporting children with additional needs.

What I enjoy most at Knowle is having conversations with the children, watching them develop and grow in confidence and doing science investigations with them!

I have a BA HONS in French with English and a PGCE (French 11-18 years old). I was a Secondary School French Teacher for 5 years and then went on to have a career in bilingual administration, marketing and recruitment. Since having my own children I found my teaching and child psychology experience really helped and I like nothing better than sitting on the floor playing with 2-4 year olds! So, I was delighted to join Knowle Nursery in 2010 and I love working with such a kind and experienced team of staff.

My favourite thing is to read and sing with the children, (and teach them a little French too) and it is wonderful to find exciting ways to help the children develop and gain confidence during their time at nursery school.

I studied Childcare at college and since then have gained a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education. I worked for 4 years at a Day Care Nursery before I became a full time mum of two!

My eldest child attended Knowle Nursery and when my daughter started in 2016 I was very fortunate to be offered a position as a Childcare Practitioner and join such a lovely team.

My favourite things to do are messy and sensory play. I also enjoy playing outdoors and exploring the environment with the children. I especially enjoy role play activities.

I completed my Early Years training in 1997, completing my nursery placement with Knowle! I went on to spend 22 years working with children in Special Education; focusing on behaviour, literacy and SpLD such as ASD and ADHD.

Now, as a mum of two young children, my love of Early Years has been reignited and I am delighted to take on the role of Nursery Practitioner at Knowle.

I particularly enjoy spending time outdoors with the children; encouraging them to explore their environment. I also have a passion for literacy development and enjoy sharing stories and getting messy!

I qualified from college with a Level 3 Diploma in childcare in 1999 and have been working with children ever since! My first job was working in a day nursery where I found my love for the Montessori teaching and materials and whilst there I studied and qualified with my Montessori teaching diploma as well as continuing on to do my International diploma.

I have worked with many different ages through my work in day nursery, nannying, preschool and after school clubs, and have also developed a strong interest in SEN along the way. I’ve always found working with the 2-4 year olds most rewarding and my favourite things to do with them is storytelling, music and movement, and exploratory play, as I love to see how inquisitive they are and how they love to learn.

Since completing a BA Honours degree in Early Childhood Studies I have worked in both a day nursery as baby unit leader and as a private nanny. I also volunteered at both a breastfeeding drop in group and ran a local playgroup for Thames Ditton children’s centre. I have always loved working with children and supporting their families.

I have enjoyed being at home with my 3 children and it has given me an even greater depth of knowledge of child development and allowed me to understand what it’s like from the parents point of view which is so beneficial when working as a childcare practitioner.

My son went to Knowle and enjoyed it and thrived so much. I was always so impressed by the team and I always hoped one day I might be lucky enough to work at the nursery myself!

My favourite thing to do with young children is singing, rhyme and dance! I love having little conversations and watching them as they learn. I also very much enjoy getting to know children’s families and working in partnership with parents.

I joined Knowle Nursery in 2018 to help increase the staff to child ratio, for a particular child with extra needs. I continued to work in this role for a number of years and am now fully integrated into the wider team.

I developed my passion for working with children when I lived in the USA, where I was a childminder. So when I returned home to the UK and the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to join the team. My 3 children had all attended Knowle Nursery so I already knew what a special place it was.

I am currently studying for my Level 3 Diploma, Early Years Educator, which allows me to appreciate how the theory of early years education relates to the day to day practice. I love discovering what makes the children “tick”.

I originally trained in horticulture, so I enjoy being outside and talking to the children about the plants and wildlife that we have in our garden. I feel that it is important to allow the children to get the full sensory experience, learn about and respect nature and help them think about healthy lifestyles.

Upon leaving University with a Degree in Childhood & Youth Studies, I went on to work with young adults with learning difficulties and autism. I enjoy seeing individuals reach milestones and goals and everyday happiness and smiles are the best.

I was lucky enough to do some bank shifts at Knowle after my daughter started, then I made the move to permanent and joined the team!

I love reading and conversing with the children, seeing play through their eyes and being involved with role play.

I have been working in Childcare for seventeen years having qualified from the IW college in 2007 with a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education. During that time, I have worked at day nurseries and as a private nanny, taking me from the Isle of Wight to Surrey, and all over the world.

n 2018 I put my career on hold when I had my daughter who attended Knowle Nursery. Having seen what a happy nurturing environment it is, I was thrilled when the opportunity to join the team part time came along.

I enjoy forming bonds with the children, encouraging their learning and growth with creative, stimulating activities and lots of outdoor play.

I worked at a Day Care Nursery for 15 years. Throughout my time there I completed my NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education before taking a keen interest in the Montessori philosophy and way of teaching. I went on to study Montessori and completed my Foundation Diploma in Montessori in 2008. I then gained my Level 4 Higher Professional Diploma in Early Years in 2012.

I have worked across all age ranges, but particularly enjoyed working in the preschool with 3-5 year olds. I am fascinated by the individual development of children, especially their speech and language.

I now have 3 children who all attended Knowle, so I knew what a wonderful environment it was before having the fantastic opportunity to join the team in September 2023. I love sharing books with the children and bringing stories to life. I also enjoy being outdoors and being involved with helping the children learn, develop and have fun through play.

Tilly has joined Knowle Nursery School recently and is undertaking work experience in both the Badger and Hedgehog rooms. Tilly recently completed a business course in Oxford and has a huge passion for working with children.

Julia, Bryony's mother started as a special needs assistant when the nursery was in Knowle Lane and then took over the business. The nursery was fortunate to be offered two surplus classrooms in 2009 at Park Mead Primary School and received a Sure Start grant to refurbish the site. This enabled Julia to plan and create an exciting indoor and outdoor learning environment. Julia was delighted that Bryony took over the nursery in 2013 and she continued to support in an advisory role.

Sadly Julia passed away in December 2021 having just ironed the nativity costumes and made gingerbread biscuits for all the children. Her spirit and legacy lives on at Knowle through the fantastic team.