The Team


  • Alice
  • Preschool Manager
  • Early Years Teacher and Level 6
  • Alice has worked at Pippins and Bramleys since September 2013 originally coming in at the deputy position, after completing her Early Childhood Studies Degree at Oxford Brookes University.

    Alice's family have lived in Gravenhurst for a number of generations on the family farm and Alice likes helping out on the farm over the summer holidays.

    In August 2020 Alice was awarded Early Years Teacher Status after completing an additional year at University of Bedfordshire of Early Years Teacher Training. 

     

    Alice is currently the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the setting. 

  • Emma
  • Senior Assistant
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator
  • Emma is currently the Deputy Safeguarding Lead for the setting and the setting Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator. 

  • Kath
  • Level 4 Advanced Educator
  • Kath has worked in childcare for 40 years and has worked at the setting since January 2013. She is a Level 4 Advanced Early Years Practitioner. She has a Level 3 in Speech and Language and a Level 2 in Challenging Behaviours.She Is currently the acting Physical Activity and Nutrients Co-ordinator for the setting.

     

  • Little Helen
  • Level 6 Early Years Educator
  • Popped in to ask about volunteering in 2014, found one her favourite places to be and never wants to leave. Believes that children are our future and their emotional wellbeing is vital to health  and learning. Strives to provide emotional positivity with mindfulness, yoga and meditation. Loves being barefoot on the sand, singing in the car, crazy socks, silly dances and really wishes she had a dog to walk.

    Little Helen is currently the Communication Co-ordinator for the setting. 

  • Melissa
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator

  • Arianna
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator
  • Arianna has started her Apprenticeship at Pippins and Bramleys in Sept 2022. 

    Previously Arianna was a After School Club helper. 

    In September 2024 Arianna completed her Apprentice she now works at a Keyworker within our Pre-School. 

  • Maggie
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator
  • I joined the team in March 2024 and have a level 3 in Early Years.

    In my early career I started as a nanny and then worked in the neonatal unit for ten years before having 3 children of my own.

    I then went back to working in pre schools as I really enjoy working in early years.

    It is lovely seeing the children develop into their own little characters as they transition from us to school.

  • Katie Thorog
  • Apprentice
  • Katie Started her Apprenticeship with Pippins and Bramleys in September 2023. 

  • Ella Taylor
  • Apprentice
  • Ella started her apprentice in September 2024. 

  • Summer
  • Apprentice
  • Summer started her apprentice in September 2024. 

  • Rachael
  • Level 3 Early Years Educator
  • Rachael has got 18 years experience working in childcare in a variety of settings including working in the speech and language sector of the NHS. In her spare time she is chairman of a local amateur dramatic society and can often be seen performing on stage, directing or running the sound for shows.

  Committee


  • Jo Hart-Hare
  • Committee Chair