St Helen's Preschool

About us

Our preschool

St Helen's Preschool is run by an elected committee of parents/carers and a fully qualified manager, assisted by qualified preschool practitioners and experienced/in-training preschool assistants. Parental involvement is actively encouraged at whatever level individual parents are happy with.

We welcome children from two and a half to four years of age and can accept government funded places from the age of three. Please refer to our Fees and Funding section.

The preschool has been assessed by Ofsted. We work with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. The progress of children is recorded, assessed and shared with parents/carers on a regular basis.

We are members of the Pre-School Learning Alliance (PSLA) and Children’s Playlink. We have a Healthy Pre-school Award for our encouragement of a healthy lifestyle.

St Helen's Preschool is a UK Registered Charity, registration number 1031937.

Our garden

We are very proud of our enclosed eco garden, which the children help to maintain and to which they have access throughout a preschool session. We aim to ensure that the garden is a welcoming and inviting environment for the children.

We have constructed bug and animal habitats to provide shelter for wildlife over the winter. We also use the garden for growing vegetables, which the children actively take part in, and then we cook the vegetables to make soups, salads and snacks.

We use the garden, as well as the adjacent playing fields, for Forest School sessions to help encourage and inspire children to develop their independence and self-confidence.

Preschool garden

Preschool staff

We have a caring and experienced staff with a wide range of skills and knowledge.

Tricia Pillay – Preschool Manager
Tricia has 14 years' experience in early years and holds the Early Years Professional Status award, a Master's in Education, a Diploma in Preschool practice and is a qualified Forest School leader. Tricia also works with the Open University, teaching on the Foundation Degree in Early Years. Tricia is in preschool on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Mandy Tomlinson – Preschool Deputy
Mandy has 11 years' experience in early years and holds NVQ level 3 and 4 qualifications in Early Years. Mandy is in preschool on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Hannah Mead – Preschool Practitioner
Hannah has 7 years' experience in early years and holds an NVQ level 3 in early years. Hannah is the preschool SENCO (special educational needs coordinator) and has completed Forest Skills training. Hannah is in preschool Monday to Friday.

Tanya May – Preschool Practitioner
Tanya has 24 years' experience in early years and holds an NNEB qualification. Tanya is in preschool on Monday afternoon and Friday.

Yvonne Sargent – Preschool Assistant
Yvonne has 4 years' experience in early years and holds an NVQ level 3 in Early Years. Yvonne is in preschool on Monday.

Jenny Banks – Preschool Assistant
Jenny has 16 years' experience in early years. Jenny is in preschool on Wednesday and for supply cover.

Dawn Higgs – Preschool Assistant
Dawn has 3 years' experience in early years and holds NVQ level 3 and an Open University Level 4 certificate in Early Years. Dawn is in preschool on Monday morning, Tuesday and Thursday.