I have been the Manager at Woodland Corner since September 2015, although I have worked for Woodland Corner (Previously Nayland Playgroup) for over ten years. I have a Level 3 Diploma in Pre-school Practice. I am also the Safeguarding Officer. I strive for a highly qualified workforce and believe in giving people interested in Childcare a chance to come and volunteer, do their work experience, placement or to undertake an apprenticeship with us.
I have three boys and keep myself fit by playing tennis, yoga and walking my dog. I would be excited and extremely proud to show you and your family around our fantastic Pre-School and extended schools setting here on site of Nayland Primary School.
Hello, I’m Emma and Deputy Manager, Health & Safety Officer and Deputy Safeguarding Officer. I’ve been at Woodland Corner since March 2016, prior to that I was the deputy manager at Polstead playgroup for 5 years. I have a degree in Early Childhood studies and have a PGCE. Before having my daughter, I taught year one in Primary school.
I am married and have 2 children. When I’m not working and busy with my family I enjoy walking my dog, cooking and reading.
Hello, I’m Nicola and Business Manager. I joined Woodland Corner in May 2016 as the Administrator supporting Cheryl and our Committee. I have a background in Sales, Customer Service, and Accounts. I am the first point of contact for admissions, funding and fee inquiries.
My two girls attended Nayland Primary School and enjoyed the Extended Schools facilities at Woodland Corner before moving on to secondary school. I enjoy cycling, running and walking, especially around my local nature reserve – Arger Fen.
Hello, I’m Abbie and I am Pre-School Leader and Special Education Needs and Disability Co-Ordinator. I have been working at Woodland Corner since 2016. I have a level 3 BTEC Diploma in Childhood Studies.
I have 2 boys and love spending time with my family. I enjoy walking my dog, socialising and reading in my spare time.
Hello, I’m Alison and I am Pre-School Practitioner. I have been working at Woodland Corner for over 21 years!
My hobbies include swimming and reading. I like to spend time with my two granddaughters.
I have been working at Woodland Corner since 2015. Before joining the staff team I was involved with Woodland Corner for many years in a voluntary capacity as a committee member whilst my own children attended the preschool.
I undertook an Early Years Apprentice training course to complete the level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, and have completed training in paediatric first aid and safeguarding.
My name is Daniela, but my friends call me Dana. I am from Romania. I came to the UK to work as a nanny in 2003 and to learn English at Colchester Institute. In 2009 I did a years’ work experience at Littlegarth Nursery, as part of my Cache Level 2 in Pre-School. I joined the Woodland Corner team, in September 2015 as a part-time Early Years Practitioner. Back in Romania, I worked as a teacher and school counsellor for four years after graduating University where I studied Psychology-Pedagogy.
I am a friendly, responsible, sociable, organised, creative and flexible person. I love taking part in all areas of activities but my favourite area is craft. My hobbies are travel, outdoor activities, movies, reading, mounting walking.
Hello, I’m Michelle and I’m a Pre-School Practitioner. I hold the National Nursery Nurse Examination board certificate. I have been a nursery nurse for over 30 years and still passionate about providing excellent care for children. My working background experience is in Social Services, Education, NHS and a Deputy in a private Pre-School. I have also run a Rainbows group voluntarily for two years.
I am married, have three lovely girls who are now grown up, and two dogs. I very much enjoy crafts and gardening which I do in my spare time. I also love going out.
Hello, I’m Magda and I’m a Childcare assistant. I am originally from Poland and met and married my husband here more than 20 years ago. Half of my life has been spent in the UK. Our family had a brief spell in South America where my husband had a three-year secondment. It gave us the opportunity to explore an amazing continent and learn the Spanish language. Travel has always been a passion. I have two teenage children. My daughter spent her early formative years at Nayland Primary School.
I have a degree in Biology and qualified to AAT Level 3 in Accounting, previously working for the accounts office of a recruitment consultancy for a number of years.
Hi there, my name is Emma-Lee and I’m a Childcare assistant. My background is mainly working as a Support Worker within the care industry, covering a range of different sectors. Here I gained a Level 2 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Adults).
I am married with four children, three girls and one little boy. I absolutely love being a mum and everything that it entails.
Hello, I’m Deborah. I joined the staff at Woodland Corner in September 2018 after being a full-time mum to my own two children. Previously I was a professional dance performer for 10 years touring the world.
Whilst having children I have taught dance classes to both adults and children and volunteer at the Sudbury Swimming Club. I have many qualifications in ISTD dance, as an RSA aerobics instructor and an ASA competitive swimming judge. My spare time is spent with my children and pets.
Hello, I’m Sara. I started working as a Breakfast Assistant for Woodland Corner in September 2015. I used to work as a Lunchtime assistant at Nayland Primary school and am a trained actress and storyteller.
I like to pop in to tell stories at Woodland Corner on occasion. My other great love is the outdoors and hill walking, a hobby also loved by my daughter.
Hello, I’m Jessica. I started Woodland Corner while at college training in 2015 and have been here since! I gained my Level 3 qualification, in addition to a degree in Early Years and Primary Studies. I currently work at Extended Schools and Holiday Club, while working in primary education to complete training in becoming a primary school teacher.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, reading, exploring new places, but most of all making a fuss out of my English Bulldog Lily.
Hello, I’m Laura. I am the Forest School leader here at Woodland Corner, trained to level 3. I run Forest School on a Thursday morning and afternoon and love this day of my week! On my Monday to Wednesday I am a senior Occupational Therapist in the Children and Young People with Disabilities team in Essex Children’s Social Care. I have been an OT now for 15 years and working with children for 13 years. I have been volunteering at Dedham Therapy Farm since April 2024 working with young people with additional needs carrying out animal assisted therapy. The ethos of Forest School aligns so well with my Occupational Therapy profession.
I have two girls, one at Nayland Primary who attends the extended schools here at Woodland Corner and the other attends the Pre-school. I had such a positive experience of Woodland Corner as a parent that I joined the Committee!