Setting Manager

Advanced Practitioner, Level 4 PANCo Award, Lvl 4, NVQ3 CCLD, First Aider, DSL, Lvl 3 Supporting CYP’S Speech, Language & Communication, Lvl 4 SENDCo Award, Lvl 1 Forest School, 2 Yr old Co-ordinator, Communication Leader.

Hello, my name is Rachel Turner and I am the setting Manager for Toddington Childcare Forest School. In 2008, whilst my daughter was transitioning to Toddington St. George Lower School from Pre-School, an opportunity arose at the Toddington Pre-School Playgroup to work as a volunteer Early Years Practitioner. Having built a successful 20 year career in banking, this was a major turning point in my life. I soon realised how rewarding working with children and families could be and made a decision to embark on a new career path in Early Years Childcare and Education. I have never looked back! I began studying immediately and completed my Level 2 and 3 qualifications consecutively in Childcare, Learning and Development whilst securing permanent employment at Toddington Childcare. In 2012, I was appointed as a Room Leader in Zebra Room working with 2-3 year old and became the Two Year Old Coordinator. One of my passions is speech and language and in 2015 I was given the opportunity of studying for my Level 3 in Supporting Children’s and Young People’s Speech, Language and Communication and became one of our settings Communication Leads. As a result of this, I helped to develop our ‘Top Talker’s’ programme with another work colleague and in November 2015 we were both invited by the Central Beds ‘Speech and Language Team’ to participate in a new pilot scheme called ‘Lift Off to Language’. I completed training and we rolled out our first ‘Lift Off to Language’ groups in January 2016 for our 3-4 year olds. Following on from the success of these, we were invited back to train for a ‘Lift Off to Language for 2’s’ which we rolled out in January 2017. This has been great fun and it’s lovely to see so many of our children benefiting from these programmes. I have also completed a Level 4 SENCO Award, Level 1 in Forest School and am a fully trained Paediatric First Aider. I was appointed as Pre-School Deputy in 2017 and more recently completed my Level 4 Advanced Practitioner in 2018. 

During my time at Toddington Childcare, it has been an exciting journey full of opportunities to learn and develop my own knowledge, skills and practice, but most of all, it’s been a journey of privilege, working as a Key Person with many wonderful children, parents and families over the last 14 years, and supporting them to become happy, confident, resilient and independent young people. Toddington Childcare is a great place to work and I feel very proud to be part of such a warm, welcoming and professional team of Early Years Practitioners who strive daily to provide outstanding childcare and education.     

CYPW Lvl 3, DDSL, First Aider, Lvl 3 Forest School, Forest School Lead

My name is Haylee and I am the Club Deputy. I have worked at Toddington Childcare & Forest School for 13 years.  Before this, I studied Childcare at Central Beds College and completed my CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education. I started working at Toddington Childcare in July 2009 in the Holiday Club and joined the Pre-school in September. I am now currently the Wrap Around Deputy and have more recently become one of our two Forest School Leaders, since gaining my Level 3 Forest School Accreditation in February 2020. I am now the Club Deputy and a Forest School Lead since gaining my Level 3 Forest School accreditation in February 2020. I enjoy delivering our Forest School programme for our older Early Years children, as I have a passion for outdoor learning from being a scout leader for many years.

Sue Hickmott

Early Years Educator

CYPW Lvl 3. First Aider, Lvl 3 Supporting CYP’s Speech, Language & communication, Lvl 1

Forest School, Communications Leader.

My name is Sue. Eight years ago, I decided to change my career path and follow my heart and work with children. I have never looked back!

I feel I contribute to the setting as I have a very nurturing and understanding nature and I believe that children deserve the right to be happy, cared for and be heard. I do my best to make sure that children in the setting receive the best care and understanding. I enjoy watching the children grow in confidence, knowledge and understanding and it fills my heart with joy and a sense of achievement that I have prepared them for their next step in education. I live locally in the village, have a 13-year-old son, who also attended Toddington Childcare, St Georges, Parkfields and is now at Harlington. To improve my service to the setting and children I have achieved the following qualifications, CACHE level 1, 2 and 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce Forest School level 1, CACHE level 3 Supporting Children and young People’s Speech, Language and Communication. I also work within the setting as one of the Communication Leads and I am part of the Lift off to Language team for 3 to 4 year old’s.

Lorraine Carney

Early Years Educator 

Lvl 3 National Cert in Childcare & Education, First Aider, Lvl 3 supporting CYP’s

Speech, Language & Communication, Lvl 1 Forest School, Communication Leader

My name is Lorraine, I qualified as a Level 3 Early Years Practitioner in 2001. My first position was at the old Toddington Playgroup located in a different building in the village. I left to raise my children, during which time I qualified as a registered childminder and did this for five years, alongside raising my three young daughters. I returned in 2009 to what is now Toddington Childcare. During my time here so far I have gained my Supporting Children and Young People’s Speech Language and Communication qualification and my Level 1 Forest School. I now practice as one of the Communication Leads and work as part of the Lift Off to Language team. 

I love watching the children grow and, most importantly that they have fun during their time with us.

Marisa Perrini

Giraffe Room Lead /SENCO

Level 3 EYE, Level 3 SENDCo Award, First Aider

My name is Marisa. I joined the Toddington Childcare team in September 2018 when I began studying for my Level 3 Early Years qualification. Before this, I studied Level 3 Health and Social Care in sixth form for 2 years. I have completed work placements in both a nursery and a lower school in Luton and this is where I realised my interest to work with younger children, specifically in an Early Years setting. I enjoy looking after and caring for young children as they grow into their own personalities and characters. It is such a rewarding job and I have enjoyed every minute since joining this team. 

Amy Husbands

Early Years Educator 

Level 3 EYE, Level 2 Understanding Autism, First Aider, Level 2 Award in Food Safety and Catering

Hello, I’m Amy and I am a member of the Zebra Room Team. I am a Level 3 Early Years Educator on a full time basis and have worked at Toddington Childcare & Forest School since 2016. I have loved every moment since I started at Toddington Childcare. Before I started working for Toddington Childcare I did 2 weeks work experience and voluntary work during the school holidays. As a result of doing these this is what made me choose a career in Early Years. In September 2016 I started working for Toddington Childcare as an apprentice and then in October 2017 I became a full time member of this amazing team. I love working at Toddington Childcare, as I love the thought of knowing I’m going to help a child develop and learn in every aspect of their childhood whilst in my care. I love being able to see the children’s happy faces every day and watching them having fun with their friends and enjoying all the fun activities they are taking part in. Working at Toddington Childcare is like working for a massive family and it’s truly amazing. 

Esther Harris-Worley 

Early Years Educator

Level 3 EYE, Forest School Lvl 2, First Aider

My name is Esther. I joined Toddington Childcare in 2018 after previously working in another setting as a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner. Since joining Toddington Childcare Forest School, I have now completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator and Paediatric First Aid certificate. Working in childcare and education has always been my passion and I find it extremely rewarding.

Josh Turner

Early Years Educator

Level 3 Early Years Educator, First Aider

Hello, my name is Josh and I work in the Zebra Room and at After School Club. During my ‘A’ Level studies at Harlington Upper School Sixth Form, I began working for Toddington Childcare Forest School during the Summer Term of 2018, helping with some general administration and site work after school. When I turned 17, I was given the opportunity to study for my Level 2 Safeguarding and Prevent training and apply for my DBS certificate. This enabled me to work directly with children attending After School and Holiday Club initially. I soon realised how rewarding this was and enjoyed the interactions with the children. In April 2020, I secured a Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprenticeship through Central Beds Training Academy. During this time, I have been able to broaden my knowledge and skills through my studies with the support of my Manager and Assessor, have been welcomed into a great team and have a great Mentor Sarah. I am really enjoying working in Early Years education and since qualifying in February 2022, I have now taken on the role of Health and Safety Lead within the setting.

Hayley Harrington

Early Years Educator

Level 3 EYE, First Aider

Hi, I’m Hayley and I work in the Giraffe Room. 7 Years ago I left my job as a Senior Supervisor in a warehouse to be a stay at home mummy. We moved to Toddington in 2015 and I love this village. My two children attend Toddington St. George Lower School and have grown up enjoying all the Toddler groups in the village. I also volunteered at Hurley Burley, which I absolutely loved. 

I started my journey with Toddington Childcare Forest School in January 2020 as a Lunch Time Supervisor. During this time, I was given the opportunity to cover some pre-school and After School sessions. In June 2020 I began working towards my Level 2 Early Years qualification and have completed my Paediatric First Aid training in July 2020. I am now qualified at Level 2 and am now working towards my Level 3 Early Years Educator. 

Lynn Walsh

Early Years Educator

CYPW Level 2, First Aider

My name is Lynn. After 20 years as a Self Employed Hairdresser, I decided on a career change. My three children attended Toddington Childcare and I was offered the opportunity in 2010 to work as part of the team. Since starting in 2010, I have achieved a Level 2 qualification as an Early Years Practitioner. I really enjoy working with children and seeing them thrive and develop throughout their time with us.

Donna Mainwaring

Early Years Educator

Level 3 EYE, First Aider 

Hi my name is Donna. I recently joined Toddington Childcare Forest School in September 2020 as a Breakfast and After School Club Assistant. Prior to this, I worked in sales for 6 years and am a busy mum to 3 children. My two older teenage sons have previously attended TCC and now my youngest daughter is currently at Toddington Childcare Forest School Pre-School. I have first-hand experience of working directly with young children, as I have previously lead a Beaver group for Toddington Scouts over a few years. My family and I love the outdoors and nature, and spend many hours outside walking and discovering the world around us. During the lockdown period I completed a Level 2 certificate in Childhood Illnesses and now hold a Paediatric First Aid certificate. I am now working towards my Level 3 Early Years Educator and am working with children and families in our Giraffe Room. I am really enjoying this role and looking forward to what the future holds. 

I am really enjoying my new role at TCC and looking forward to what the future holds!”

Grace Burnage

Panda Room Lead 

Level 3 Early Years Educator, Level 3 Supporting Children’s and Young People’s Speech, Language and Communication, First Aider

Megan Hopkins

Early Years Educator

Level 3 Early Years Educator, First Aider

Laura Williams

Early Years Educator

Working towards Level 3 Early Years Educator, First Aider

Hi, I’m Laura and I work in the Giraffe Room. We moved to Toddington in 2014 and have 2 children who attend our local schools St.George’s and Parkfields in Toddington.

After being a stay at home mummy for several years, I joined Toddington Childcare & Forest School as a Lunch Club Supervisor in 2021. During this time I was also able to cover some pre-school sessions and I really enjoyed this time supporting young children in their play and learning experiences. In September 2022, an opportunity arose with Central Beds Training Academy for me to study towards a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. I am now working towards my qualification and as part of the Giraffe Room Team. It’s so lovely working with our pre-school children and watching them grow and gain independence.

Cheryl Bridge

Cleaning Duties