ABOUT PVPG
OUR TEAM, THE COMMITTEE AND WHERE WE ARE
We have a number of very dedicated members of staff, the majority with children of their own. We are registered and regularly inspected by Ofsted, and as a member of the Pre-school Leaning Alliance we regularly review and update our skills and undertake any relevant training.
We have an child:adult ratio of 5:1 for the 2 to 3 year olds and 8:1 for 3+ year olds.
In order to ensure quality of care we undertake regular training and refresher courses through West Berkshire Early Years Team and an Early Years co-ordinator is available to offer advice to us.
Our team
Hello, I’m Emma. I have been working at Preschool for 9 years having started as a student and slowly making my way up. I am the Manager and I have 3 children who have all attended the Preschool and thoroughly enjoyed themselves – it was what motivated me to want to join the team. I love the teaching and learning aspect of my job – learning through play is such an enjoyable experience and incredibly rewarding. I enjoy problem solving, whether that is encouraging a child to finish a jigsaw puzzle or helping a child to understand their feelings and their behaviour.
I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead, First Aid Trained and Health and Safety Officer. I also have my NVQ level 3 Early Years Educator and have a current, up to date DBS.
Emma Carney
My name is Rachel! I have a long history with Preschool as this is the setting I attended when I was 3 as well as my Mum working here for many years! I love that my boys are here, the Preschool means so much as a community-based charity and has a very special place in the village and surrounding areas. I have worked in Early Years since I left school and love to share the experiences and knowledge I have gained from other settings with the team. I love encouraging the children with their sensory play, we can learn so much by observing and building on their experiences with the addition of some mud, flour, water- whatever they like! I like getting the children involved with mixing different activities, media and materials to create something new and exciting to expand and fire up their knowledge, experiences and enthusiasm.
I am Deputy Manager, SENCO, First Aid trained, current up to date DBS, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and have a level 4 Certification in Early Years.
Rachel Dwyer
Hello, I am Tina! I have been with the Preschool for over 22 years; I knew the Preschool when it was a small setting located in the village. I love the outdoors and nature and love to encourage the children to be mucky and inquisitive. The calming influence of being outside and a bit of fresh air can solve most problems when you are under 5! I also love to introduce maths into many activities – it is an area of learning that many find tricky but can easily be added into the simplest tasks, meaning the children are learning without knowing it.
I have my NVQ level 3 in Childcare and a current and up to date DBS.
Tina Robins
Hi! My name is Francesca. I have seen first hand how much my daughter, Amelie, has thrived within the setting and love being part of such a lovely team and working with your equally lovely children. I am a big advocate of messy play, outdoor learning and allowing children to explore and investigate the world around them. I am an avid reader and love to find new stories with my daughter, I believe that reading has countless benefits for children and love to share all my silly character voices with your little ones!
I am the Early Language Lead and NVQ level 3 qualified. I am also First Aid trained and have a current, up to date DBS.
Francesca Downey
Hi I’m Kate. It was at preschool that I trained for my NVQ level 3 childcare qualification and thoroughly enjoyed working with such a lovely team of ladies. I am very pleased to be working with your lovely children, teaching them, and helping them along their journeys when transitioning to big school.
I absolutely love being outdoors with the children acting out role play stories. I like nature, exploring all kinds of plants and wildlife and believe very much in the importance of sensory play for children as not only does it promote language it promotes cognitive growth, problem solving and helps with their social interactions. I enjoy learning about what makes your child an individual and using this to get the best possible outcomes for them and the bonds we make with the children and their parents is very special. Watching your children grow and learn is very rewarding.
I have my NVQ level 3 Early Years Educator and am First Aid trained and I have a current, up to date DBS.
Kate Eggleton
Hello! I’m Helen, I’ve worked with children for over 18 years, I’m married and have 2 boys. We have 3 dogs and many fish. I have a lot of experience with children with additional needs, though it can be challenging the sense of achievement felt when you help a child to navigate themselves through a situation is beyond any reward. I love doing arts and crafts and you can often find me covered in paint- Allowing children to express and explore this area of learning is such fun, after all there are not many places where it is ok to get as messy as you like!
I am Lead SENCO and have my Level 3 in Childcare as well as being First Aid Trained and a current, up to date DBS.
Helen Buckett
Hello, My name is Tetiana but I’m usually known as Tania. My son attended Preschool for a short time before he began school. At home in Ukraine, I am a English teacher and have many years of experience working with children. I am learning so much from the children and staff here, early years education is very different in England! I am finding the experience fascinating and am thoroughly enjoying getting to know everyone, their interests, and all the new nursery rhymes!
I am First aid trained, DBS checked, and have completed safeguarding training. I am also working towards my Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Tetiana Rumiantseva
Hello, I’m Katherine! I have worked with children for over 15 years, first as a swimming instructor which sparked my interest in child development. I worked as a student in a small nursery whilst completing my childcare qualifications, and have since worked in a larger day nursery and a pre-school setting. I have two children, one who attends preschool and one who has recently left for ‘big’ school. I have seen how much my children have thrived here and am so pleased to now be part of this amazing team. I love following a child’s lead during play and developing their imaginations
I have EYTS status, DBS checked, safeguarding training and am First Aid Trained.
Katherine Rose
My name is Kirsty. I have been in childcare for 18 years and I love it! I have all kinds of different experiences such as working in Nursery’s, Preschools and as a Nanny. I have 3 children of my own, one being a dog! As a family we love the beach and being outdoors which is where you will usually find me at Preschool, being outside has so many benefits to children and their development.
I am Level 3 Qualified, DBS checked and First aid trained.
Kirsty Denham
Hi my name is Tracy. I have lived in the area all my life, first in Upper Basildon then in Pangbourne when I married my husband. We have two daughters, one of them works at the preschool and three grandchildren, two of them attended the preschool. I love working with young children, watching them develop, grow and learn. I worked at the preschool previously for 20 years. While on a break from the preschool I worked in a day nursery in the baby unit, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I have attended many courses over the years and seen how much the early years sector has changed.
I hold a Diploma in Pre-School Practice Level 3 and a current and up to date DBS.
Tracy Winkworth
The committee
Chairperson: Sam Saunders
Treasurer: Maebh Booth
Secretary : Bethany Hughes
General Members: Rachel Dwyer, Alexandra Horn, Daryl Wardle, Helen Buckett, Kate Eggleton, Rebecca Farr, Katherine Rose.
A parent management committee – whose members are elected by the parents of the children who attend the preschool – manages the preschool. The elections take place at the Annual General Meeting, which is held in the Autumn Term each year. The committee is responsible for:
1. managing the preschools’s finances
2. employing and managing the staff
3. making sure that the preschool has, and works to, policies which help it to provide a high quality service
4. making sure that the preschool works in partnership with the children’s parents.
The Annual General Meeting is open to the parents of all of the children who attend the playgroup. It is their forum for looking back over the previous year’s activities and shaping the coming year’s activities.
The committee works on a completely voluntary basis. There must be a Chairperson, Treasurer and Secretary who are the “officers” of the Committee and a minimum of 3 and maximum of 9 other members. All members are required by Ofsted to have health and police checks. The playgroup has an inspection by Ofsted where the premises and the general running of the playgroup are inspected. All staff members also have the above-mentioned checks. It is the responsibility of the Committee to ensure that the playgroup adheres to all new regulations and guidelines.
The committee is also responsible for ensuring the financial security of the playgroup and organising fundraising events.
Being on the committee means that you have a chance to have your say and contribute to the running of the playgroup.
At this important early learning stage, we encourage parents to participate in all aspects of pre-school life. There are many opportunities in which to be involved from joining the committee to helping with fund raising events. Please remember that the parents run the playgroup.
Health and Safety
The health, safety and welfare of everyone in the group are paramount at all times. All staff are familiar with the safety procedures regarding illness and accidents. All accidents and incidents, however minor, are recorded on an individual accident or incident sheet which parents are asked to sign and date. We ensure that at least one first aid trained staff member is present at each session.
Interested in working for Pangbourne Valley Playgroup?
If you are interested in joining our friendly team, please contact us about any current vacancies. We are an equal opportunities employer.