ERICA
ERICA
ERICA
COMPANY DIRECTOR
NURSERY MANAGER
FOREST SCHOOL LEADER
KIM
ERICA
ERICA
COMPANY DIRECTOR
FOREST SCHOOL LEADER
CALLIE - ADMIN MANAGER
Callie has many years of experience in management and admin roles. She enjoys being behind the scenes, now ensuring that all aspects of The Shepherd’s Hut are running smoothly and everything is present and correct! Callie is in the office most mornings to answer your queries.
Callie is a strong believer in child-led learning and how children really benefit from spending time in the great outdoors. She has two children both of whom attend Forest School sessions in their primary school.
Together with her family Callie enjoys taking her dog for long walks and spending as much time as possible outdoors.
Hannah - Early Years Educator
Hannah has a level 3 qualification in childcare and education. Prior to her qualification she had several experiences working with children through baby sitting and being an older sibling. Whilst doing her qualification Hannah completed two different placements over the two years; one being a day nursery and the other being a school. During these placements Hannah was caring and educating children from 3months - 7 years.
Hannah is very creative and enjoys arts and crafts and also has an interest in photography. She spends her free time with family and friends doing a wide variety of things.
Natalie - Early Years Educator
Natalie has worked in childcare for nearly 20 years, ranging from running pre-schools/after school clubs and crèches all over the UK to running kids clubs all over Europe. Her favourite place was being an Elf in Lapland!
Natalie has a Foundation Degree in Early Years as well as qualifications in Performing Arts and British Sign Language.
Since having her two sons, Natalie has spent time working in Children's Centres and Learning Support in schools as well as regularly volunteering for local forest school sessions. Through her son’s, Natalie has learnt the benefits of outdoor learning as well as the value of storytelling wherever you are.
Some of Natalie’s hobbies are music, dancing and venturing off with her family in their Campervan come rain or shine!
Sophie - Early Years Educator
Sophie has a Level 3 qualification in childcare and 6 years experience working with children. Prior to Shepherds Hut, Sophie worked at Riding for Disabled and taught children and young adults (in group and individual lessons) with a wide range of disabilities on horses.
Sophie's love for horses started at a young age and she also has a number of animals at home. Her dad was a Vet so animals and nature have always been a strong passion of hers!
Sophie shares her love of animals and nature with the children and isn't afraid to get messy outside. She spends most of her free time looking after her horse and riding.
Debbie - Early Years Educator
Debbie qualified in 2005 as a Level 3 Childcare and Education practitioner and has since worked with children and gained lots of experience working in nurseries; been a Baby Room Leader, been an Ofsted registered Nanny and has done lots of babysitting. Debbie also volunteered with children abroad in Africa at a School and in an Orphanage. She is now very excited to be leading The Shepherd's Hut Baby Barn.
Debbie loves nature and the countryside, walking locally through the woods and on holidays in the Lake District and Wales. Debbie is very creative and makes and sells her own nature inspired jewellery using real foraged and pressed flowers. Other hobbies she enjoys are baking and kayaking.
Amber - Early Years Apprentice
Amber has a level 2 qualification in childcare and education and is currently completing her level 3 Apprenticeship. Amber has four years experience of working with children within different types of nurseries. Amber is very creative and enjoys messy play - you will always find her with arts and crafts!
Amber enjoys spending quality time with her family and walking her dog.
Ellen - Early Years Apprentice
Ellen has a level 2 qualification in early years and is currently completing her level 3 Apprenticeship in early years. Ellen is also a head coach at her family run gymnastics club, she started gymnastics at the age of three and has taken part in many competitions. Ellen has taught gymnastics since she was thirteen.
Ellen enjoys spending time with her family and doing gymnastics.
Aimen - Early Years Apprentice
Aimen has recently completed her GCSE's and has joined us to complete her Level 3 Apprenticeship in Early Years.
Kat - Early Years Assistant
Kat supports the nursery's daily routines. She is extremely organised and keeps our resources stocked and tidy. With a certificate in Food Hygiene and Safety, snacks and lunches are prepared appropriately.
Kat enjoys looking after her family, two children, guinea pigs and a hamster! She loves taking long walks in the Chilterns, gardening and watching the birds in her garden. Kat is a keen swimmer and swims roughly 3 miles a week.