Meet the team

Hello, Carrie here! Early years has been my passion from a very young age. I remember visiting family as a young teen and wanting to spend my time ‘looking after’ their babies and toddlers. By the age of 14 I was babysitting for several families, so it was to no ones surprise when I went to college to do my level 3 qualification (NNEB back then) at the age of 16. In the early days I worked as a nanny before taking a short break to marry my husband, relocate to southern England and have our son. It wasn’t long before I returned to work as another family nanny, taking my baby with me. A couple of years later our daughter came along and my husband’s work commitments saw us leave the UK to live in Germany. Being a ‘stay at home mum’ was not for me so when my daughter was 8 months old I went to work as the baby room leader in a military nursery. I found myself homesick so after two years in Germany I moved back to my hometown in Yorkshire where I registered as a childminder which fit around my families needs. In 2009 my third baby, a daughter was born. The loyalty I felt to my childminded families saw me go back to work after just a few weeks. In 2014 my husband’s work took him to Wiltshire, where the children and I followed. Here I found a role as a pre-school room leader in a small chain day nursery, this is also where I met an inspirational practitioner who gave me the confidence to start my degree. I remained here for two years until I heard of the managers position become available in my current setting. I absolutely loved the setting, it’s in my hometown and where all three of my children attended (my son just for a few months) - it’s such an idyllic setting anyone would be lucky to work there. 25 years after starting my training I am where I am today. I work with an extraordinary team who value the ethos of charity settings. Everyone here is here for the children – as it should be. The pressures I felt working in day nurseries to meet occupancy targets and make the business profits have long gone. I cannot put into words how much I love working in my setting with my team. My children are now 19, 17 and 13 so life is changing at home but the pre-schoolers give me my fix of laughter, fun and games. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family – you can’t beat a good BBQ. We upgraded from camping to caravan holidays 4 years ago so I like to spend my weekends visiting various places in the UK.

Hi, I'm Kate, mum of 2 girls, 1 now grown up and the other a teenager! I've worked in Charity run pre-schools for 18 years, starting voluntary when my youngest daughter was 2. I was encouraged to complete my level 3 and later as my role progressed to deputy manager, I went on to do my level 4 in leadership and management. Since then, I’ve attended endless short courses, webinars and zoom conferences, all which extend my knowledge, keep me up to date and give me a fresh outlook and new ideas to share in my setting. I've been in my current role as Howden Pre-School Deputy Manager for 10 years. It’s been a rewarding journey. 10 years ago I walked into Howden Playgroup. It had just been taken over by a new manager, we spent 2 years turning the playgroup into a Pre-School. For the last 8 years I have worked with Carrie and together we have developed the Pre-School into what is now, a very popular, successful and Ofsted rated outstanding Pre-School with an amazing team of staff who truly love their jobs. I believe there is something special about charity run Pre-Schools, they have a different feel to modern day nurseries, a family feel, everyone who enters becomes part of our Pre-School family. I am passionate about giving every child the absolute best experience throughout their journey with us. I am definitely an outdoorsie person so a lot of my spare time is spent in my garden or off exploring the country in my campervan especially during the warmer months! I love nature and animals, I have 2 rescue dogs called Indi and Hugo. I love to spend time with my family and I love music and dancing. I believe whatever makes your soul happy you should do more of!

Hi my name is Nina, I’m a mum to a beautiful little boy who just makes me so proud! 

I have worked in childcare for 13 years having always wanting to since I was a child and just love building relationships with the children and watching them grow and develop new skills! 

It’s such a rewarding job which I love!

Hi, my name is Hannah and I am the SENDCO at Howden pre-school and will be on hand to support Early Explorer settings with any SEN or behaviour needs.

I have worked with early years children since 2001 after obtaining a BTEC National Diploma in Early Years. I am born and bred in Howden. I have worked at a local day nursery, I was a nanny and Au Pair, I have also worked as a barmaid over the years too and was once known as the singing barmaid! In 2009 I became an OFSTED registered childminder and I enjoyed a lovely 10 year relationship with young children and their families, I still have a close bond with my mini-bosses!

My son Harrison was born in 2013 and he attended Howden Pre-school… I even attended Howden Pre-school as a toddler too! It was during Harrison's time at pre-school that he was referred onto the pathway for Early Years Support, which later led to a diagnosis of Autism and Global Developmental Delay. Howden Pre-school staff where incredibly supportive and they liaised with professionals and services such as Portage and Speech and Language Therapists to publish an Educational Health Care Plan ready for Harrison to start his school journey at a Specialist School in 2017.

It was then, that I became the chairperson of Howden Pre-schools charity committee for two years. I worked as supply staff for the setting; during that time we successfully regenerated the outdoor play space and celebrated with the staff when they obtained their Outstanding OFSTED inspection. I officially began working at pre-school in 2019 and I love every minute of it!

My son and his disability has completely changed my outlook of the world and I find Autism fascinating; Harrison has taught me so much and it has changed how I think and empathise, how I parent, how I care, play, educate and support children and their families. I also use my role as a Town Councillor to campaign for better disability services in Howden, working and fundraising for Project Loo which is to build and facilitate a changing place at the public toilets for complex disabled people and their carers to be able to access a toilet and changing area that has a bench and hoist; this facility will be built by 2023! My next mission is to campaign for a wheelchair swing… what this space!

My continued professional development includes: The National Portage Association workshop. Level 2 Understanding Autism. Level 2 Mental Health in Children and Young People. Understanding the Benefits of Speech and Language Therapy. Supporting Children and Young People with Learning Disabilities who have Behaviours that Challenge. Supporting Behaviour in the Early Years. The Picture Exchange Communication System. Level 1 and 2 Sign Language. Early Support Plan Writing. Educational Health Care Plan Workshop. The Role of the SENCO

Hi my name is Maddy, I have been a member of the team at Howden Pre-School for over 4 years, nearly 5. I joined in September of 2019 and I love being a part of it!

My journey of being interested in childcare started from school. I knew this was the path I wanted to go down, from choosing several childcare settings for my placements. I hold a level 2 childcare qualification and Howden Pre-School is where I was given the the opportunity onto my level 3 childcare apprenticeship. 

Working with children is something I have always found so rewarding. Your little people never fail to put a smile on my face.  

I have a real passion for supporting and working with children who have special educational needs, which is something I also find extremely rewarding, I just love being a part of their early years journey. 

Outside of preschool I am a direct payment worker, supporting a child who I get to go out on lots of fun days with! 

I have a large family with many children in it, so I am around children lots! 

I would describe myself as a friendly and chatty Individual who loves to socialise with friends and family on the weekend. 

I love working alongside my team and most importantly, I love your special little people who put a smile on my face every single day, without fail! I love watching the children grow, learn and have fun! I especially enjoy talking to your children about things they like to do and encouraging them to share their feelings, thoughts and ideas. 

I came into my amazing team September 2019 and started out as an apprentice working towards my level 3. I am pleased to share that I am currently working towards my Level 5 in Childcare to better my practice and knowledge.

Hey I’m Martha, I’ve been at Howden Pre-school since December 2021 working towards my Level 3 childcare qualification.

I love working with the ladies at Howden Pre-school as we all share the interest of helping your little ones be the best they can!  

I love working with a variety of ages of children but the robin room is definitely the place I love the most.

On weekends I like to chill at home with my family and watch football.

I am a busy mum of three. Two of my children have SEN which has given me a different perspective on early years education and how different minds work and learn.

I love doing crafting with my kids and the children I work with. I don't mind the messy jobs, in fact I volunteer for them!

I enjoy sewing in my spare time, well when I get any!

I knew from being 16 this was what I wanted to do. I have returned to the job I love after 7 years away while I raised my own family and although things have changed over those years I can't imagine doing anything else.

Hi , I'm Bel, and I currently live in Howden. I'm a married mum of 5 (now adults) children, 2 of which are SEND that my husband and I adopted after fostering them for 5 years.

I have over 20 years in paid care experience, though over 40 years total care experience when taking into account raising children and supporting elderly relatives. This encompassed SEN and palliative care.

Along with caring for people, my husband and I have also adopted many rescue pets over the years. At one point, as well as 6 adult people, our household consisted of:

3 dogs

7 cats ( all named after musicians / musical artists)

5 chickens (my Spice Girls)

2 snakes

2 budgies

A tarantula

And a pond full of fish

Sadly, we are now down to 1 dog, 3 cats and my son's snake

It was during my time as a Foster carer that I expanded  my knowledge of SEN. I have always loved to learn, and have managed to complete numerous courses to enrich my knowledge and understanding of SEN and other areas, as well as achieve HSC Level 3

When I do have "spare time", if I'm not learning something new, I enjoy caring for my grandchildren, being creative, cooking, Yoga, dancing and singing(though not always in tune!)

I feel 'Early Explorers' is such a beautiful place for all children to be nurtured & feel so lucky to be part of their dedicated team.

Hi, my name is Amy. I started working at Howden Pre-School in December 2023. I have lived in Howden all my life and am a happily married mum of one son.

After leaving high school I went to college to study level 3 in childcare and education and I haven’t looked back since. I have over 17 years experience in childcare across all ages.

In my spare time I enjoy catching up with friends and spending time with my family which mainly consists of watching my son play pool tournaments and football. I also enjoy weekends away with my family.