Jane Pears – Manager
Hi my name is Jane and I moved to Norwich with my family in 2015. St Helen’s Pre-School is a lovely community Pre-School, which I am very proud to be the Manager of since January 2016. I have a Foundation Degree in Early Years Leadership and I am an Early Years System Leader for Norfolk County Council. I have had numerous years of experience working and managing different childcare settings and I am very passionate to provide quality care and education to children and working together with their families to ensure they have the foundations to become lifelong learners.
Teresa Squires – Administrator/ Health and Safety Officer
Hi my name is Teresa and I joined St Helen’s Pre-School as the administrator in September 2016. I really enjoy working at the Pre-School and having the opportunity to watch how the children learn and progress whilst they are with us.
Julie Woodhouse – Deputy Manager and SENCo (Special Educational Need Coordinator)
Hi my name is Julie and I’ve worked at St Helen’s Pre-School since early 2006. I hold a Level 3 qualification in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. I have been working as SENCo since 2017 and during that time I have completed the four part Autism and Social Communication Difficulties course, Signalong training and a Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinator in Early Years Settings. I am also a Mental Health Campion and part of the Leadership team. I love being part of a team that strives to provide every child with the best possible early years experience, allowing each child to fulfill their potential and helping to create life long learners.
Kerry Sturman – Deputy Manager, Safeguard Lead & Curriculum Co-ordinator
Hi my name is Kerry. I joined the St Helen’s team in 2009 when the eldest of my two daughters started school. Over the years, I have worked hard to become part of our leadership team and thoroughly enjoy the challenge that each day can bring. I am committed to supporting the St Helen’s team in delivering high quality teaching and learning, adapting my skills and job role to suit our ever-changing needs as an Early Years setting. Watching the positive impact we have on our children and families continues to be my motivation.
Afton Ward – Early Years Practitioner & ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)
Hi my name is Afton and I started at St Helen’s in 2015. I completed my Level 3 in Early Years Education in 2017. I currently work 4 days a week and I also work as a part-time Zumba Instructor which I incorporate daily into the Pre-School routine. In 2021 I completed the ELSA training programme (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant). I support the children and staff with group activities to help develop Emotional Literacy. Support can also be 1-1 depending on the child’s needs.
Ellie Hayton – Early Years Practitioner
Hello, my name is Ellie. I have been working at St Helen’s Pre-School since 2015. I started my childcare journey by doing my work experience in the setting. After really enjoying this, I went on to do my placement at the Pre-School, alongside completing my level 3 childcare qualification. After I became qualified, I began working as a part time member of staff after really enjoying the atmosphere of the setting.
Working at St Helen’s Pre-School has made me realise my passion for working with children with Special Educational Needs. I have completed my Autism and Social Communication Difficulties training and most recently my Level 2 SEND award to help increase my knowledge of the subject. As a practitioner I love getting to know all the children as individuals in the setting before waving them off to continue their learning journey at big school.
Terri Jiggins – Early Years Practitioner
Hi my name is Terri. I’ve worked at St Helen’s Pre-School since 2015 and really enjoy my job. I love being outside and interacting with the children in our friendly environment.
Heidi Wilson – Early Years Practitioner
Hi my name is Heidi and I started at St Helen’s in 2014. I enjoy being a part of a great team here and I really enjoy doing craft and musical activities with the children.
Gemma Mitchell – Early Years Practitioner
Hi my name is Gemma. I have been at the Pre-School since January 2018. I am very passionate about working with children and I like playing and teaching the children in our fantastic environment. I have trained in LEGO therapy to develop the children’s communication and social skills. I am also doing an Early Years course to help me develop and learn more about how children learn and grow.
Kate Shepherd – Early Years Practitioner
Hi my name is Kate and I have been working at St Helen’s Pre-School since 2014. Working with children has always been a passion of mine, from motherhood into my working life. My job gives me nothing but satisfaction to watch the children learn and grow.
Tiffany French – Early Years Practitioner
Hi my name is Tiffany and I first came to St Helen’s Pre-School as a student in 2015 where I completed my Level 2 qualification in Early Years. I then gained some experience in another setting and alongside this I worked as a Domiciliary Care Assistant. In 2022 I joined the St Helen’s Pre-School team as a Level 2 Early Years Practitioner. I really enjoy working at St Helen’s and the team is amazing to work with. Throughout my working life I have always had a big passion for working with children and I love seeing them learn and grow. I love to spend time with my little boy going on days out to our favourite places and making lots of memories together.
Helen Starling – Early Years Practitioner
Hi my name is Helen. I joined the St Helen’s Pre-School team as an Early Years Practitioner in 2022. I have a Level 3 qualification gained in 2013 and over 20 years’ experience working in childcare. I enjoy being part of each child’s learning journey and seeing them grow in confidence.
Summer Chapman – Early Years practitioner
Hi my name is Summer and I have been working at St Helen’s Pre-school since 2022. I have a passion for working with children in Early Years and I am working towards my qualifications. I enjoy creating attachments with the children that will support them to develop and grow. I love exploring our outdoor area with the children but equally love creating messy play activities for them to get their hands messy.
Michelle Winch – Supply Early Years practitioner
Hi my name is Michelle, I started working at St Helens preschool in May 2024 as a play practitioner. I had done my YTS childcare over 30 years ago at St Helen’s Pre-School and since then had my two daughters who both attended St Helen’s. I thoroughly enjoy working with the children and the team has made me feel so welcome.
Grace Sturman -Supply Early Years practitioner
Hi, my name is Grace. I’ve recently joined the St Helen’s team as an early years practitioner and am thoroughly enjoying gaining lots of valuable experience and knowledge as I am currently studying a Childhood, Education, and Culture degree at the UEA. I am passionate about supporting the development of the children during their time at St Helen’s, and love seeing theory in practice. This setting is a fantastic way to begin my journey in education.
Joanna Greengrass – Supply room lead
Hi I am Joanna I enjoy being part of the team at St Helen’s and the varying different activities and challenges that each day brings. I am a mother myself to four children and enjoy days at the beach, camping, being outside and travelling.
Diana Harding – Supply Early Years practitioner
I joined St Helen’s Pre-School in 2016 and the whole team welcomed me. I am honoured to work alongside them, helping the children get the best start in life. Before St Helen’s Pre-School, I gained experience caring for others, including working as a Care Assistant for the elderly and raising my own daughter.
Kerry Woodrow – Chair of St Helen’s Pre-School Committee
Hi, my name is Kerry and I joined the committee as Treasurer in 2016 when my son was here at the Pre-School – he is now at high school but as I genuinely love being part of the St Helen’s team, I have happily decided to stay!
I am currently the SENDCO in a Secondary school and have taught GCSE and A-Level Business for 12 years. I had a pause from teaching and owned my own business for 5 years while my son was young.
Paul Burnett – Committee member
I joined the Committee as Chair in 2014 shortly after my eldest son (who is now at high school) joined the preschool. I was impressed by the team and the childcare provision and over the years, with my fellow committee members and staff the preschool has grown and further enhanced the learning opportunities and outcomes for the children, which was reflected in our most recent Ofsted inspection and report. It is because of the fantastic Committee and team that I have remained on the committee since my youngest son left in 2018. I am Property Director for a local commercial property company where I also oversee and support the HR function.
Lisa Burnett – Committee Member
Hi my name is Lisa. I have been a member of the committee for 7 years, I joined when my eldest son attended Pre school and love being part of such a friendly and supportive team. I have been secretary and continue to assist with recruitment. I work in administration for a counselling charity and I have also begun training as a counsellor. I use all of these skills in my role as a committee member.
Stuart Beard – Treasurer
Hi, I’m Stuart. I have a background in primary education, including 7 years as headteacher of a thriving Norfolk infant school. I joined the committee at St Helen’s in 2017 and have been really impressed with everyone’s dedication. It has been a privilege being part of the team and now overseeing the financial aspects of the provision.
Samantha Goodall – Committee Member
Hi, I’m Samantha. I moved to Norwich in 2014. I joined the Committee in 2019 as my son had attended and my daughter currently attends. I was taken by how extremely welcoming, professional, child centered team and I wanted to help in what ever way I could. I have over 10 years experience running Guides and Brownies units and hold a BA (hons) in Archaeology.
St Helen's Pre-School 