The People
Our dedicated and experienced team are committed to providing a stimulating, safe and fun environment for children that encourage them to discover and learn through their own experiences.
The Staff
We are proud of the high ratio of adults to children in our group, at least one member of staff to five children. This ensures individual attention to the needs and development of each child.
We provide a ratio of one adult to 5 children and the Play Leader is in addition to this number. Ofsted, our regulatory body, recommends a ratio of 1:8.
The regular staff at Little Apples are:
| Joanne Shearing | Deputy Play Leader | BA (Distinction) in Primary Education |
| Sian Davies | Deputy Play Leader | NVQ3 Early Years Care & Education |
| Susan Baird | Play Assistant | NVQ3 Early Years Care & Education |
| Breda Miles | Play Assistant | NVQ3 Early Years Care & Education |
| Wendy Smith | Play Assistant | NVQ3 Early Years Care & Education |
| Alison Cameron | Play Assistant | NVQ3 Early Years Care & Education |
| Karen Jones | Play Assistant | NVQ3 Early Years Care & Education |
| Shirley Bartlett | Play Assistant | Studying Foundation Degree Childhood Studies |
| Charlene Wilby | Play Assistant | Studying Foundation Degree Childhood Studies |
| Sharon Hilliard | Play Assistant | |
| Carolann Dyson | Play Assistant | Studying CWDC CYPW Diploma in Preschool Practice |
| Leighann Winchester | Play Assistant | Studying CWDC CYPW Diploma in Preschool Practice |
| Karen Totterdell | Financial Controller and Administrator | |
| Gayle Whiting | Play Assistant | |
| Cassie Newman | Play Assistant | Studying CWDC CYPW Diploma in Preschool Practice |
| Louise Onslow | Play Assistant | NNEB |
The Committee
The pre-school is run by an elected committee, which ensures that major decision making is in the hands of the parents who use the group. The committee is responsible for reviewing both policy and practice, and for the employment and appraisal of members of staff. Our Annual General Meeting, at which the committee for the following year is elected, is held in May and parents will be informed in good time so they are able to attend.
| Chair | Kate Sparkes |
| Secretary | Amber Sheers |
| Treasurer | Emma Ryan |
| Committee Member | Erin Stockham |
| Vice Chair | Amanda Wise |
| New Committee Member | Zoe Ling |
| New Committee Member | Karen Orriss-McCarthur |
| New Committee Member | Emma Rea |
The Students
We recognise that the quality and variety of work which goes on in a pre-school makes it an ideal location for students on placement from a variety of educational establishments. At Little Apples we welcome students with an interest in child care and education, and are members of the Basingstoke Consortium who allocate work placements to all the secondary schools in our area.
We also welcome students who are studying on appropriate childcare courses from further education settings. These are organised through the Further Education setting.
From time to time we are able to welcome volunteers into the setting, subject to a CRB check. Please contact us for more information.
The Parents
Little Apples recognises parents as the first and most important educators of their young children.
We aim to support parents. Parents are welcomed:
- to work in the group with the children;
- to assist with fundraising;
- to take part in the management of the pre-school;
- to represent the pre-school at branch and county activities of the Pre-school Learning Alliance;
- to attend training courses, workshops and conferences organised by the Pre-School Learning Alliance and Early Years Development Childcare Partnership.
Research shows that children learn better when their parents are involved
Our rota system invites parents to become involved in helping in the group on a regular basis. This helps to increase the high ratio of adults to children in our group, guaranteeing individual care and attention for each child. It also gives parents the opportunity to take an active part in the group to see what happens there and to talk about it afterwards with their child. In addition, the rota system provides a valuable opportunity for all children to see their own parents/carers in a new role.
