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Staff and Committee

St Catharine’s Under Fives is led by a team of committed and enthusiastic staff and committee, working together to provide your child with a fun and stimulating learning environment.

We are a community based setting and regard all parents as members who have full participatory rights.

Ola Swiatlowska - Play Leader & SENCo

Qualifications:
NVQ Level 3
Child Protection
First Aid
Food Hygiene
"I love working at playgroup because it is a special place created by dedicated people (staff and parents) where the children can flourish. Working with the children helped me discover who I am, finding my strong points and overcoming a fear of speaking in English as well as expressing myself through words. The children helped me realise that I can learn something new every day and keep trying to do things that are not easy at the start. I often look at the children and can see them in my mind as successful adults fulfilling their dreams."

Kimberley Clifford

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Education (Hons)
Food Hygiene
Safeguarding
Child Protection
"From a young age I knew I wanted to work with primary children. Having been a Primary School teacher for 10 years I left the job when I had my son. Being a parent can be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but it is also the hardest job in the world! Through learning this I knew I wanted to support families in the Early Years. Since then I have run toddler Stay and Plays, and started baby groups, but knew I wanted to build more meaningful, longer lasting relationships with families and see their children progress and grow which prompted my move across to St Catharine's."

Charlotte Kimsey-Averiss

Qualifications:
NVQ Level 3 Early Years Care and Education
First Aid
"I have worked in a variety of childcare roles over 28 years including those of Nanny, 1-2-1 Support Worker, Classroom Assistant, Reception TA and Nursery Practitioner. I love delivering story times and any activities where a bit of singing and dancing is needed. I have two children aged 9 and 11 and three grown-up step children aged 26, 22 and 21."

Sarah Bennett - Chairperson

My daughter started attending St. Catharine's after I attended one of their fundraising events. The atmosphere and people made me feel instantly at ease and my daughter loves it here. I have enjoyed seeing what they do behind the scenes and holding charity events. I love seeing how the children grow and learn and how the amazing staff encourage this.

Jordan - Apprentice

I started coming to St Catharine's Under Fives with Stay and Play, and then when I helped out through tidying I realised how special and amazing it was. I knew I wanted to continue on a journey doing something like it and that's when I got an apprenticeship. Watching the children grow, develop and make friendships is best and puts a smile on my face every day.

Emma - Apprentice

I started coming to St Catharine's Under Fives with Stay and Play and then my daughter attended the setting. I have now started an apprenticeship with playgroup and am learning everyday.

Annie Elvidge - Administrator

I have worked behind the scenes in playgroups for years, working in finance, admin and as a Trustee. I’m so lucky to now have the opportunity to work at St Catharine’s Under Fives! The staff all have such love for the children, their development and for the playgroup. I have two young children myself and ran a village Toddler Group for years. I believe the right start for children is so important for their wellbeing and development. I believe St Catherine’s provides such a special place for young children and provides them with the best start.

In our setting we maintain the ratio of adults to children in the setting that is set in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

All children are allocated a key person and it is this member of staff who will welcome you and your child at your child's first session and look after you during the settling-in process.

Each member of staff at St Catharine’s Under Fives, with the exception of the Play leader, has a key group of children for whom they are particularly responsible. Your child's key person will be the person who works with you to make sure that what we provide is right for your child's particular needs and interests and to ensure that your child benefits from all of our activities during their stay with us.