Meet the Team
Dedicated & Qualified
Kayleigh Higson
Manager
I joined the established team at Findon Village Preschool 2022, becoming preschool manager in January 2023. I have a level 3 in childcare and education, a degree in Education and a PGCE in primary education with QTS.
I have worked with children in a variety of age ranges, specialising in supporting children with special educational needs. I am the SENCo at our preschool and am a qualified peadiatric first aider.
I believe that children’s learning and development is supported through free play and structured learning opportunities both indoors and outside.
I have a four year old daughter who I love spending time with and watching her learn and grow.
Emily Pettitt
Deputy Manager
I have worked in Early Years for over 14 years, beginning my journey as an apprentice and working through all job roles until I reached management status. I hold a Level 3 in Childcare as well as being a Paediatric First Aider. I managed a preschool in West Sussex for 5 years up until having my second child and am so pleased to have now landed at Findon Village Woodland Preschool in 2024. It is an exciting time for the preschool as we work towards the launch of Forest School which I am so looking forward to getting stuck into. I have a real interest in outdoor learning, seeing children getting muddy and splashing in puddles brings me a lot of joy. I love the warm, family-feel ethos at Findon Village Woodland Preschool, allowing children to be their true selves, learning through play, at their own pace, through their own individual interests and preferences. I am a firm believer that children will get ‘there’ in their own time if we give them the tools, experiences, support and care along the way.
I also love working alongside parents, sharing advice and experiences (or just saying ‘yes, mine do that too!’) and building the connections between home and preschool. I have a 4-year-old and a nearly 2-year-old who keep me busy on the days I am not at preschool! I look forward to getting to know you and your children soon.
Denise Lambourne
Practitioner
Information coming soon
Ellie Minter
Apprentice Practitioner
Information coming soon
Yvonne Wilson
Special Educational Needs & Disability
Chair of Trustees
Yvonne has over 30 years of academic and business management experience working with both SMEs and large international corporations.
Yvonne has also worked in further and higher education as a teacher, mentor, SENCO and manager. Her experience provides a valuable link between comprehensive business management and core academic principles.
She is highly committed to ensuring that our children receive the best possible education through a range of stimulating and exciting experiences and leave the preschool equipped with the foundations to allow them to achieve and succeed in life.
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Steve Smith
Treasurer
Steve is responsible for managing the financial well-being of the preschool to ensure it operates within its responsibilities in this regard.
Steve was also Chair of Community Benefit Society structured Findon Village Store, a thriving village-owned and operated business.
With a background in technology and the financial services sectors working for blue-chip companies, Steve brings over 40 years of experience in business management and consultancy.
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Steve's established network enables him to develop connections within the local community and promote preschool wherever possible.
John Wilson
Buildings & Grounds Trustee
John is a long-standing resident of Findon Village and has been a member of the Parish Council for over ten years, responsible for Open and Public spaces within the community. He is also a key member of the Findon Volunteers, who undertake many projects within the community public spaces, ensuring health and safety is maintained including within the parks and play areas.
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John retired from being a career as a professional horticulturalist after 30 years and brings a wealth of experience and practical skills with extensive buildings and grounds maintenance knowledge to organise and assist in maintaining our preschool building, our adjacent woodland area, the playground and access track to our site.