Our Staff

Liz Newland-Smith

Liz is our Pre-school Leader and our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo).
She joined the pre-school in September 2003, having worked with children as a Mencap volunteer for 15 years. From 2003–2006 she ran the Munch Bunch.
Whilst with us, she gained her level 3 NVQ, which qualifies her to act as a pre-school supervisor.
Liz holds a First Aid Certificate.

Sharron Rook

Sharron is our Deputy Pre-school Leader.
She joined the Pre-school in 1992, initially as chairman of the committee. She was then persuaded to train and fill the post of Pre-school Leader, a position she held until 2006, when she decided she would like to spend more time with her grandchildren. She gained her Diploma in Pre-school Practice in 1994.
Sharron holds a First Aid Certificate.

Chris Bernard

Chris joined the Pre-school in 1990 and is a teacher at the Woodcote Primary School, and as such has both a Cert Ed and a B Ed (a degree in education).
She co-ordinates the curriculum for our daily Plus 4 sessions, and takes this session on Tuesday mornings.
Chris holds a First Aid Certificate.

Avril Thatcher

The "amazing, multi-tasking Avril" is our Chief Cook and everybody's favourite lunchtime supervisor.
Although Avril has only been employed by the Pre-school since 2002, she has been involved with the Pre-school for many years and is an indispensable member of staff. She is a demon knitter, and literally dozens of pre-school children past and present have sported Mrs. Avril jumpers, cardies and hats at one time or another.
Avril has taken formal food hygiene training and holds a food hygiene certificate.
She also holds a First Aid Certificate.

Lucy Gerrard-Carr

Lucy was chief fund-raiser whilst on the committee. In October 2004 she moved from the committee to the staff of the pre-school.
She has gained her level 3 NVQ and holds a First Aid Certificate.

Wendy Powell

Wendy has been a pre-school mum for 15 years. She joined the staff in June 2005 and, as a qualified childminder, is a complete natural with the very youngest children and those with special needs. In January 2007, she took over responsibility for the Munch Bunch from Liz. Wendy is our Behaviour Management Co-ordinator. She holds a First Aid Certificate.

Louise Bostock

Louise joined the pre-school in January 2007. She gave up a career in HR, having made a conscious decision to work in childcare (despite the awful pay!). Her mum ran a playgroup, so at her interview we joked that she had "pre-school in her blood". It turned out to be true as she is a complete natural. Louise has a degree and is a St John’s Ambulance first aider.

Alke Lewis

Alke has a degree in Child Psychology and worked for five years with autistic children in Germany. She is not only a highly trained and experienced childcare professional, but for several years she was a stalwart member of both the Baby and Toddler Group and Pre-school's committees, demonstrating that she also has a lot of stamina. Alke is currently racing through a level 3 childcare qualification, which turned out to be a quicker solution than trying to get her German qualifications recognised in the UK.
She is our Equal Opportunities Co-ordinator.

Susan Blissett

Susan had always wanted to pursue a career in childcare, with justification as she is a natural with small children. She has a degree in Childcare from Oxford Brookes University and, since qualifying, has worked exclusively in a nursery environment.

Zuzanna Ochocinska

Zuzanna (Zuza) has not only studied child development at university in Poland, but also has qualifications in graphic design which make her a real asset to Woodcote Pre-school. Zuza is studying for recognised UK childcare qualifications.