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
Libby Johnson
Level 3 Forest School Leader; Paediatric First Aider
After working at Harpsden for the last 5 years I recently qualified as a Forest School Leader and now run a weekly forest school session for our older children. 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!
Rebecca Quinn
Teaching Manager and 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
Deputy Teaching Manager; Paediatric First Aider
I am NNEB trained (equivalent to NVQ Level 3) and have over 10 years of Early Years experience. 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.
Nicola Howes
Pre-School Assistant; Paediatric First Aider.
I am NVQ Level 3 qualified and joined the staff at Harpsden Pre-School after having experience of the setting from when I sent my own two children here. My favourite things at Harpsden are the fantastic outdoor space and getting creative in the role play area.
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.
Linda Sansum
Business Manager and Joint Safeguarding Lead; Paediatric First Aider
Before having my two children I enjoyed a really interesting career in business and the Charity sector. Since the arrival of my daughter and my son I have been the Treasurer of a Primary School Parents’ Association and helped with my son’s cub group. It is great that in this role, I can combine my business background with my love of working with children. My favourite thing about Harpsden is seeing all the children enjoying all the different activities provided by the Pre-School, in particular the lovely outdoor space and the Forest 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
Please find here details of any current job vacancies at Harpsden Pre-School.
The 2020/2021 Committee is:
Jemima Pettifer – Chair and Safeguarding & Child Protection
Hayley Ackerley – Treasurer
Anna Matoshko – Secretary
Louise Colam – Staff Liaison
Lucy Brewster – 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.