COMPANY DIRECTOR
FOREST SCHOOL LEADER
We met working at a local primary school, Erica as a Teacher and Kim as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant. We both trained and qualified as Forest School Leaders (Erica 2010, Kim 2013), and we ran the school’s Forest School programme alongside our teaching commitments. In 2014 Chiltern Forest School Ltd was born. Our aim was to offer the Forest School experience to a wider range of children which later led to the opening of The Shepherd’s Hut Outdoor Day Nursery.
Our experiences have shown us the huge benefits of learning in an outdoor, natural environment generally and of the Forest School ethos specifically. Recently there have been numerous studies which indicate that time spent in a woodland or other outdoor environment has an extremely important and positive effect on mental well-being.
COMPANY DIRECTOR
FOREST SCHOOL LEADER
Callie has many years of experience in management and admin roles as well as having a Level 3 qualification in Early Years. As well as spending quality time with the children, Callie enjoys being behind the scenes, ensuring that all aspects of The Shepherd’s Hut are running smoothly and everything is present and correct! Callie is in the office most days 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 has achieved a First Class Honours Degree in Early Childhood Education with Graduate Competencies. Hannah has worked in a couple of nurseries previously and has completed multiple placements in early years settings as well as babysitting along side. She has always had a passion for working with children and enjoys being part of their early years journey!
In her free time, Hannah likes to cook, walk and spend time with her loved ones.
Abigale has a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and experience working with children in school and nursery settings. She enjoys getting stuck in with messy play and crafts. After completing her degree in Education Studies, Abigale went on a gap year to South East Asia and New Zealand where she spent time volunteering at an animal sanctuary and working on a kiwi orchard.
Abigale enjoys adventures with her dog finding new and exciting places to go on hikes around the country.
Sophie gained her Level 3 qualification along with 4 years of nursery experience in her early twenties. After taking some time out, she discovered she missed childcare and upon discovering our setting found she was eager to return to it.
Sophie is an avid hiker and huge advocate of the outdoors and all its benefits, making The Shepherd’s Hut a perfect fit. Sophie also keeps active by kayaking, paddle boarding, climbing and long dog walks.
Lauren initially studied an arts degree then switched to childcare in which she secured her Level 3 qualification. Lauren has since worked in nurseries obtaining over 4 years experience.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys going on walks, doing yoga, drawing, roller skating and reading. Lauren also offer volunteer work for local art centres painting sets for the Christmas Pantomimes.
Aiman joined the team in 2021 straight from school and completed an apprenticeship, she is now a fantastic qualified Level 3 Early Years Educator.
Penny has enjoyed many years experience in nurseries and has joined us to complete her Level 3 qualification in childcare. Although never having worked at an outdoor nursery before, Penny understands the enormous benefits being outside brings to the children. Having always loved the outdoors and outdoor activities Penny was able to foster the same love in her 3 sons who are all grown up now!
In her spare spare time Penny's interests include walking with her dogs and friends as well as enjoying music and films.
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 with her family and dog, gardening and watching the birds in her garden. Kat is a keen swimmer and swims roughly 3 miles a week.
Jade has come from a background working in forestry and has also worked with children in other environments, such as summer camps and after-school clubs. She enjoys working in the outdoors in all weather conditions, encouraging the children to look at the nature around them and be creative in play with the natural environment. Jade loves encouraging the children to use their own initiative, and finds joy in watching them learn, grow and develop.
Jade has a passion for health and fitness (she is also a personal trainer outside of working at The Shepherd’s Hut), and will often be found running around being chased by children or helping them to climb and balance to challenge themselves. Jade also loves to cook and walk in nature with her beloved dogs Bailey and Nancy.
Jackie 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.
Jackie joins us after working many years with horses and understands the benefits of spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Hannah has a Level 3 Forest School qualification and has experience leading sessions in a country park and primary school. She is passionate about nature and inspiring children to care about it through outdoor learning.
In her spare time, Hannah enjoys arts and crafts, climbing, yoga and hiking with her dog Max.
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Lorraine has 15 years of experience in the care industry, supporting and helping individuals of all ages and abilities. She is a deeply caring, empathetic, and helpful person, who loves to play along with the children, helping them to learn, share, and promote independence, and loves watching the children grow and have fun.
Lorraine has achieved a Level 3 Counselling certificate and a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care and brings all her knowledge to the Shepherds Hut Nursery. On top of all this Lorraine is a Reiki therapist, using sound and oils for the benefit of all.She lives with her partner and cat, Dotty, and enjoys the community life, West African Drumming, and Dance- walking and hiking around the local woods of Buckinghamshire and enjoys adventures finding new and exciting places to go on hikes around the country, in particular, exploring ruins.
Lorraine has travelled the world and brings a great deal of spiritual, kindness, generosity, and love into all she does.
Chloe recently joined us and brings with her a wealth of agricultural knowledge - having a background working on farms. Chloes shares with us the importance of learning about the world around us, how things are grown and where they come from.
Penny has worked in professional childcare including settings and nannying since 2018. Penny is a happy, warm, fun loving person who enjoys the nature and being outdoors. Mum to three children,one dog and one cat. Penny love animals, her favourite being a fox!
Penny is currently studying Neuroscience in Early Years. In her free time, she enjoys long walks, exploring nature, musical theatre and singing.
Henny was born in Worcestershire and grew up on a mixed farm developing a natural love of the countryside and all living things from an early age. At the age of 4, Henny's love of dance was established and she gained a scholarship to study at The Arts Educational School of Performing Arts. After graduating in classical & modern ballet, Henny went abroad to Germany and Ireland to dance in various companies working up the ranks to become principal soloist. Henny has experience of teaching drama and speech, putting on school productions and taking mime workshops.
In 2000 Henny began working at Maryland Pre-school near Amersham and went on to complete her Level 2 in Early Years Education. This was followed by becoming a Forest School Leader in 2015. During the 24 years there, Henny developed the garden, going on to be awarded a silver and two gold medals in the schools category for the R.H.S.
Henny loves to spend time with her family, in the garden, walking with her dog Jesse and volunteering as a Sunday school teacher at her local church.
Olivia joined our team in 2021 to support the growing demands of administration at The Shepherd's Hut. Olivia used to be part of the cabin crew for BA, flying all around the world. She now has her feet firmly on the ground since becoming a Mum.
Lauren was born and raised in Zimbabwe. She studied at the London Montessori Centre achieving a Level 3 qualification. After which she went sailing for several years before starting a family. She has worked in schools and nurseries in Africa, the Middle East and the UK.
Lauren enjoys time with her now adult children, exploring local woodland walks, reading, live music events and singing very badly!
Annie trained as a Speech and Language Therapist and has several years’ experience working with children across primary schools and nurseries. She has a degree in French and Italian and loves to learn new languages. Annie also loves to lead singing and storytime with the children at nursery, and is particularly passionate about promoting and developing children’s communication.
In her free time, Annie enjoys cooking and singing (often at the same time!), and spends time knitting lumpy items of clothing for her family.
The Shepherds Hut Day Nursery
The Shepherds Hut Day Nursery, Nash Lee Lane, Wendover, UK
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