Nurture Outdoor Kindergarten Team

Michelle - Kindergarten Manager

Early Years teacher Status, Early Years FD, Early Years NVQ3, Dip Early Childhood (Montessori)

Michelle has worked for the past 23 years with children (aged 0-5 years) and their families . She has been employed as an early years manager over the past 11 years in three separate early years providers, and most recently led a team of 16 staff,students and volunteers in the early years department of a children's centre.

She recognises the importance of nurturing a sensitive and responsive team in order that each child's needs and gifts are recognised and celebrated. She has a passion for working with children with additional needs and their families, developing strategies to ensure all children have access to a challenging and stimulating environment. Her hope is that children leave kindergarten with; a love of learning, a respect for their environment, a curious and creative mind and a kind heart. She feels strongly that children need to grow knowing they are valued and have much to offer.

Michelle, as part of a blended family has 7 grown up children, with a first grandchild on the way!! She enjoys crochet, reading and walks on the Malvern Hills with her dog, Sherlock.

Olivia - Curriculum Leader & Outdoor Early Years Practitioner

Dip Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies (studying), BA Hons Working with Children and Families

Olivia has a degree in Working with Children and Families and is studying towards a diploma in Steiner Waldorf Early Childhood Studies. She has worked with children aged birth to five years old in nurseries and has experience of working within a Steiner Waldorf kindergarten with children aged four to six years old, which has shown her that each child has a natural impulse to lead their own learning through discovering and experiencing the world around them. Olivia is passionate about working with children and believes that the wonder of nature can bring many learning experiences for each child, to be creative and imaginative in their own individual way. Olivia enjoys being outside in all seasons, especially amongst the Autumn leaves. In her spare time, she enjoys doing yoga, baking, cooking vegetarian food and walking in the countryside.

Tallulah - Outdoor Early Years Practitioner

BA in Education & Training (QTS), BA Drama & Psychology, BTEC Hospital Play Specialism

Children’s wellbeing and growth have been a focus for Tallulah in her personal and professional development, she has two degrees in Drama and Psychology, Education and Training (with Qualified teacher status) as well as qualifications in nursery nursing and a certification for hospital Play specialism. Tallulah has been working with children and young people for over 20 years; she has experience working in nurseries, in special needs settings, and private childcare as well as her time working as a primary school teacher and the exciting journey of being a home educator for the past eighteen months. She believes the RIE philosophy is a powerful tool for developing respect, kindness and understanding within individuals. Tallulah has recently completed short courses in Mindfulness and is continuing to learn more about the plentiful benefits of experiencing the present moment. She has a deep love of nature and sustainability with the belief they should be integral to education and wellbeing; she has set up eco-education groups in previous work placements and often extends her time and allotment to local children so they can gain an understanding of where food comes from. She is excited to have this opportunity to work so closely with young children in the outdoors to support their individual development, their creativity, their imaginative play and to explore the wonders of nature together.

Emilia - Outdoor Early Years Assistant

BA Psychology, MA Psychoanalytic Infant Observational Studies (studying)

Emilia’s interest in early childhood emerged after she had her first child. Emilia says the journey of discovering and understanding what it means to be a child has been one of the most valuable journeys she has been on! She has worked as a childminder and recently graduated from BSc Psychology and is currently studying for a MA in Psychoanalytic Infant Observational Studies. Free outdoor play was a central part of Emilia’s childhood, and, reflecting on these early experiences, Emilia realised this was something she took for granted. Emilia believes that outdoor play is nowadays unavailable for so many children, and yet the most natural form of exploring the world. She feels strongly that children have a natural need to be outdoors and engaging with nature. Emilia loves gardening, particularly growing vegetables. She also enjoys woodland walks, coastal walks and running.

Corrie - Outdoor Early Years Assistant

BA Early Childhood Studies (Professional Practice)

Corrie has a passion for children’s social and emotional development and well-being. She believes these areas of development are integral in providing a secure foundation from which each unique child can flourish. Corrie is also interested in how engagement with nature and outdoor environments can support children’s sense of emotional well-being and contribute towards positive mental and physical health. She has a degree in Early Childhood Studies (Professional Practice) which enabled her to gain experience working closely with children and families in a variety of early years settings. Corrie loves animals, enjoys arts and crafts and going for long countryside walks with her dog, especially on frosty winter mornings.