Harpsden
Pre-School
THE TEAM
WHAT OUR PARENTS SAY
I don’t believe my son could have had better care and learning. Harpsden Pre-School has been an amazing contribution to my son’s development in all areas.
THE TEAM
Dee Lamden
Manager and Joint Safeguarding Lead; Paediatric First Aider
Rebecca Quinn
Deputy Manager; Joint Safeguarding Lead; SENCO; Paediatric First Aider.
I am NVQ Level 4 qualified and have worked in settings in Henley for a number of years. I started at Harpsden in 2016. I have two secondary school aged children, a boy and a girl, who both love playing sport. I enjoy the great outdoors at Harpsden, I love to watch the children as they run outside in the field. Reading to the children is one of my favourite activities along with lunch – listening to their social chat makes my day!
Jacqui Bagley
Pre-School Assistant; Paediatric First Aider
I am NNEB trained (equivalent to NVQ Level 3) and have over 10 years of Early Years experience. I have a little girl who is nearly 2. I enjoy thinking up ideas for the role play corner and acting them out with the children. I love reading stories to the children and listening to their thoughts and ideas.
I am NVQ Level 3 qualified and am currently working towards my Level 5 in Leadership for the Children and Young Persons workforce. I started working as a children's dance teacher over 20 years ago and have worked in Early Years for the past 10 years. I was appointed Chairperson for my children’s pre-school and then worked as a 1 to1 before qualifying. I have 2 children both at secondary school. I love art and in my spare time I do commissions and paintings. I love the outdoor space at Harpsden as I love being outside and can often be seen paddle boarding down the Thames when I can’t get to the sea!
Libby Johnson
Level 3 Forest School Leader; Paediatric First Aider
After working at Harpsden for the last 5 years I qualified as a Forest School Leader and now run weekly forest school sessions. We are very lucky to have such a beautiful, rural location with our own little woodland on site. I really enjoy seeing the children becoming more confident moving around the woods and getting excited when our friendly Robin comes to say hello! I have 2 children who are both at university and a lovely old dog who enjoys the woods as much as I do!
Liz Heppenstall
Pre-School Assistant; Paediatric First Aider.
I have been involved with Harpsden Pre-School for the past 20 years having been Chairman, Administrator and now Pre-School Assistant. I have 3 children; a daughter and a son who are both at university, and a son who is at secondary school. Harpsden Pre-School has such a lovely location – it’s a real treat to come here. I really enjoy all the creative activities that we do, and the fun we have outside each day.
Catherine Brett
Pre-School Assistant; Paediatric First Aider.
Harpsden Pre-School has a special place in my heart. Both my children came here when we first moved to Henley twenty years ago! I also worked for the Pre-School before working at a local primary school in the Early Years unit for 12 years. I’m very glad to come back to this lovely friendly welcoming Pre-School.
Lucy Weatherston
Administrator
I have three daughters (one at primary and two at secondary school) and a wealth of voluntary experience from pre-school committees and the school PTA, as well as previous career experience in the arts, fundraising and events. My favourite things at Harpsden are the lovely rural setting and the friendly staff!
Job Vacancies
We are currently recruiting for part-time Pre-School Assistants. Please see here for further information.
The 2021/2022 Committee is:
Jaqueline Fitzgerald – Chair and Safeguarding & Child Protection
Ruth Piercy – Treasurer
Anna Matoshko – Secretary
Elena Rawlings – General Member
Harpsden Pre-school Committee
Our pre-school is a registered charity and a non-profit making organisation.
It is run by a parent-led voluntary committee comprising Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and general committee members. As a community based, voluntary managed setting, we depend on the goodwill of parents and their involvement to keep going.
Joining the committee is an excellent way of getting involved with your child’s early education.
The committee meets once per month and is responsible for the effective running of the pre-school, such as managing the setting’s finances, employing and managing the pre-school’s staff, ensuring the setting has, and works to, policies that help it provide a high quality service, and making sure the setting works in partnership with the children’s parents.
How can I help?
Fundraising
Various fundraising events are undertaken throughout the year, enabling us to buy equipment with the money raised and everyone is encouraged to take part. We ask that all parents get involved by attending the events that are held and helping to organise at least one event during the year.
Click here to see more information about Fundraising Events.
What skills do you have that you could share?
We are always keen to involve parents on the educational side as well as on the committee. If any parent has any particular skill or interest e.g. musical, theatrical, artistic, they would like to share with the children they are more than welcome to participate in any session.
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding children and operate a safer recruitment policy.