About Beatle Woods

I am the Founder and Manager of Beatle Woods;  I have an extensive and varied early years work experience, including most recently, managing a local pre-school for 6 years. I am passionate about everything to do with young children and am constantly reflecting and building knowledge.

I have a BA Hons in early Childhood Studies and Early Years Teacher Status. I’ve lived and worked in the local community for many years and I am committed to improving outcomes for all children.

I am Level 3 Forest School trained and have a deep-rooted belief that children need to be outdoors. I have completed a number of professional qualifications, including Solihull Approach and Autism Awareness training and have a natural interest in all research, both at home and on an international scale.

I have recently completed Makaton for Professionals Foundation training which enables us to support children developing language using signing to compliment spoken words.

I am also a Mental Health First Aid ( MHFA) Champion.  In my spare time (there isn’t much), I like to spend time with my family, walk my dog, read and exercise!

Qualifications:

BA Hons Early Childhood Studies, Early Years Professional Status, Forest School Level 3, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Paediatric outdoor First Aid, Autism Trust Training, Solihull Approach Training.

I am the Beatle Woods Deputy; I worked for many years in Berkswell and at the same pre-school as Rachel. When offered the chance to start a new chapter at an outdoor nursery, I jumped at the chance and the opportunity to gain new skills and finding different ways to support children using the environment.

I am the Beatle Woods SENCO and I use my vast experience to support children with additional needs, using our amazing environment to ensure they have the best possible start. I have a particular interest in learning about children’s communication and language development and am always developing my knowledge to find the best ways of helping children develop their speech.

I have started to learn basic Makaton. I hold a level 3 Childcare qualification and I am currently doing Level 1 Forest School training. I am totally dedicated to ensuring children at Beatle Woods have the time and opportunity to flourish.

I enjoy spending any free time that I have with my son, by going on days out, walks in the countryside, going for meals and to the theatre. I also enjoy teaching my son how to cook, enjoy reading and socialising with my friends.

Qualifications:

NVQ Level 2 & 3 in childcare, Paediatric first aid, Setting Senco , Deputy DSL, food handling, health & Safety, Autism tier 1 training, Prevent Duty.

I qualified in CACHE Level 3 NVQ in Early Years Care and Education in 2006. I have cared for pre-school children in private nurseries and cared for the elderly within their own homes. I have always and remain committed to, ensuring that the children have the best care and opportunities available. I share this care for everyone I look after.

I feel passionate about childcare in the outdoor setting; knowing a child feels safe and secure with you, makes you feel valued as a person and is a very rewarding feeling. As they reach for your hand on that walk around the woods to then eventually let go and explore the great outdoors around; it is a real privilege to watch them grow into confident learners.

I love it when the children at Beatle Woods are not afraid to take risks. If they decide they do feel a little uncertain it’s never long before their friends are cheering them on, or helping them out when they do encounter difficulties, like being stuck in the mud.

When I am not at Beatle Woods the loves of my life are my husband and my two teenage boys. I like to think of myself as a caring, compassionate person and a good friend. It would be wrong of me not to mention I like to have a clean and tidy home! I think of it as my hobby, alongside Pilates which gives me an hour of total ‘me time’.

Qualifications and Training:

NVQ Level 3 in Childcare, Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding and Child Protection.

I have a level 3 diploma in Childcare and Education. I began my career in a Sure Start children’s nursery taking care of children under 5 years old before moving on to personal nannying for families locally. I have loved working closely with families to provide the best stable, consistent care for the children. We have had lots of exciting adventures through the years exploring the world around us. I strongly believe children should be able to make choices and explore freely with a guiding hand nearby when required. I believe myself to be very loving and Caring and have a genuine interest in child development and different ways we can help to gain confidence and provide skills for their future.

I am really looking forward to joining the Beatle Woods team and lifestyle and being able to provide the children with such a unique, exciting start to life.

In my free time I am usually found out in parks, regardless of the weather on walks or adventures with my daughter who cannot resist mud or puddles. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends on day trips, meals out and the occasional trip to the theatre.

Qualifications and Training:

Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education.

I am really excited to become part of the Beatle Woods family as a Forest Educator. I am a qualified teacher specialising in Early Years and have been teaching for over 14 years, more recently in Nursery in Balsall Common Primary School.   I would never have considered myself an ‘outdoorsy’ sort of person, but I noticed the impact on children’s well being and engagement while being outside, and so became passionate about the benefits of nature as a classroom.

After having my children, I qualified as a Level 3 Forest School leader 8 years ago and set up a Forest School within the school I was working in, working with children of all ages, abilities and needs.  In Balsall Common Nursery I set up ‘Wild Wednesdays’ where the children are outside for the whole session, learning about nature, risk taking and some woodwork. Being outside builds resilience, creativity and  develops communication skills.   I am a firm believer in the saying, “there is no such thing as inclement weather, just bad clothing!”    I am always learning and keen to further my knowledge and professional qualifications, more recently completing an Autism Awareness Tier 1,2 and 3 training.

When I am not working, I love being a mum to my two children and going on family holidays in our little campervan ‘Betty’.   I love socialising with my friends, and I am also part of the local am-dram group ‘Centrestage’.

Qualifications and Training:

BA Applied Social Studies, PGCE with Early years Specialism, Forest School Level 3 leader, Paediatric Outdoor First Aid, Autism Awareness, Tier 1,2,3 training.  Prevent training.  Designated Safeguarding Lead.

I’m an adventurous yet reserved practitioner exploring the world of childcare. I remember once a long time ago, (relative to my age I suppose) I was looking at some comics on the internet when I came across a quote in one that said, ‘if you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life’ and I thought, that’s the kind of job I want. I’ve always loved working with children, but I never really saw it for what it was until I joined the Beatle Woods crew. Put that together with an opportunity to be everything that the education system I grew up with was deprived of for the children I work with, and I got exactly what I had hoped for in a job on my first try.

I like spending my spare time with my friends doing all sorts of things ranging from movie nights to trips abroad but I also spend a lot of time with my family. I also like baking, playing the piano and drawing.

Qualifications and Training:

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner. Paediatric First aid.

From the first time I visited Beatle Woods, I knew there was magic in it and that I wanted in on some of that magic!

Though my professional background is in Management Accounting; since becoming a parent in 2016, that fell away and I found my passion in life is to provide children with the space, care and environment to nurture a love of learning and to just BE! I discovered Gentle Parenting shortly after having my first child, and have not looked back, I believe that children are the experts on their own lives and am beyond happy to be a small part of them following their own journey. I have two children currently in the Beatle Woods setting and so truly believe in the vision of learning happening naturally, it’s a privilege to now be able to see that first hand. I am currently studying Child Psychology with the Open University and look forward to continuing my training both in and out of the woods.

When I’m not in the Woods, I’m volunteering at an organic community farm, or at our local village shop. Going on adventures with my children and my dog, Buddy, practising yoga or pottering at our allotment, (affectionately referred to as Treasure Island) or snuggled up with a good book.

I am so happy to be joining the Beatle Woods team as an NNEB early years Deputy.

I gained experience of the role in day nursery and school settings after qualifying in 1983.

I then went on to undertake my Registered General Nurse training and have spent many years since qualifying working all over the country in hospital and community settings.

I am passionate about caring for and supporting others to reach their potential. I feel my vocation is to make a difference to people’s lives in a very positive and nurturing way .

I am thrilled to be returning to my first love, early years.

I feel Beatle Woods is a unique place and I am excited to be part of such an inspirational setting where the child’s needs and wishes are right at the heart of everything that happens.

I was fortunate enough to spend one day a week with the team during 2018/19

I am also a first aid instructor.

In my spare time I am a keen baker, I also enjoy keeping fit, travel and the great outdoors.

Qualifications:

NNEB, RN, First aid instructor, DSL

While I’m fairly ‘giftless’ at any sport other than hillwalking, I suppose you could say I’ve spent most of my life as a coach!

I’ve been fortunate to be a facilitator in other people’s learning for many years, albeit with a rather different age group.

I take great joy in seeing individuals surprise themselves with what they are capable of when given a balance of reassurance and challenge.

This has been true whether leading a Venture Scout Unit or working with youth at risk on Prince’s Trust Courses.

I’ve seen it in the Probation Service when running cognitive behavioural group work with offenders ( aimed at improving skills such as emotional self management, problem solving, social skill and perspective taking) or when managing and coaching probation staff. I was part of a team of national trainers rolling out coaching skills training.

I then moved to the private sector, training aviation security to all levels from cargo staff to managers and auditors. Memorably also passing on my teaching skills on ‘train the trainer’ courses ( occasionally through Arabic translator) in locations as exotic as Antigua, Florida, Shetland….and Doncaster!

In 2015 I took a career break to raise ( and love) my own two fascinating little learners. I’ve found coaching, reassuring and challenging them has been every bit as interesting and rewarding as coaching adults. With added hugs.

My elder son started Beatle Woods in its inaugural year. My younger son is a current ‘Beatle Boy.’

Within minutes of being on site I saw how empowering this environment and this philosophy are for children. How much the children imagine, create, describe, persuade. How they are listened to. Curious. Unrushed. Given the chance to develop confidence, competence and relationships.

So much so that when it was time for my son to start school I deferred him a year to reap the benefits of another year in the Woods.

So much so that I became a volunteer on site.

So much so that now, at the age of forty *ahem* plus I am starting out as an apprentice. When Beatle Woods say they engage parents in their practice they are not kidding!!

My hobbies before becoming a Mum used to be hillwalking, travel, reading, theatre and terrible puns.

Since becoming a Mum I mostly fight entropy and play elaborate games with sudden unexpected plot twists only a 5 yr old could create. There is still time for the odd bad pun, so can I conclude by saying that Outdoor learning rocks! And outdoor learning sticks!

Forest School and its ethos are my passion. I believe in building a relationship of trust between learners (old and young) to enable risk taking, boosting self esteem and giving ownership of learning to all. Since joining Beatle Woods in 2020, I have found my tribe and feel blessed to work with such wonderful caring people; both staff, children and families.

Before joining the Beatle Woods team, I worked as a teaching assistant for 16 years in a First School in Redditch, Worcestershire. I worked with children from Reception to Year 4, supporting with SEND and specialising in supporting children for whom English is an additional language.

In 2013 I trained and qualified as a level 3 Forest School leader, setting up and running Forest School sessions with each class, within the school grounds. I am a member of the Forest School Association and a committee member of FSA Worcestershire, working with a team of fellow Forest School practitioners to organise and implement Continuing Professional Development events throughout the year.

I am passionate about the environment and have trained as a tree warden, as part of the Birmingham Tree People Tree Warden Scheme, caring for the urban forests. I also help run a Community Orchard in my home town of Redditch. I own and manage a small woodland in Worcestershire, I love to study the wildlife.

I am very creative; in my spare time I paint, whittle, sew and generally make stuff.

Qualifications and Training:

CACHE Level 2 Certificate for Teaching Assistants, Teaching EAL Accreditation, Forest School Level 3 Leader, First Aid in the Outdoors including Paediatrics, Safeguarding & Prevent Training, Team Teach Training.

I have a NNEB Nursery Nurse qualification and experience of working with children in early years and school settings for nearly thirty years. More recently for twelve years at St.Margarets C of E in Solihull in roles as a teaching assistant and 1-1 support,  gaining a wealth of experience working with children of all ages and supporting many children and their families with specific needs.

Over the last few years my interest for using the outdoor environment for learning has grown. Within my experiences I’ve seen the benefits  – children gaining confidence, independence, imagination, social skills, empathy while improving their well-being, so when this unique opportunity came up to be apart of the Beatle Woods team with a SENCO support role, it felt like the perfect new challenge for me.

Working in this environment has given me the opportunity to provide the children with a great start to their adventures and experiences in life. I am so grateful to the Beatle Woods team that I have the opportunity to support each child to lead their own play, take risks and explore the fantastic environment we are in.

I love nothing more than wearing my pink wellies and eating home-made chocolate mud pies. Going on adventures in cardboard boxes and digging for worms!

When I’m not at Beatle Woods I love spending time with my husband and three daughters, going on holidays and going to the theatre and concerts.

Qualifications and Training:

NNEB, SENCO & AET Training. PFA.

I have just started a level 2 apprenticeship at Beatle woods as an Early Years Apprentice.

I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I finished school but I have always really enjoyed being outdoors. I am also a volunteer at a Beaver Scout group with 6-8 year olds and I really enjoy passing my knowledge and experience on to them. I have been in scouting for a long time and It’s really good fun, so I thought to myself that I might be able to do it as a career.

Rachel let me do some work experience at Beatle woods before the summer in camp 2 and the Home Ed camp. I really enjoyed supporting all of the children with their development. This really helped me to decide what I wanted to do and it was definitely the right decision.

I am really looking forward to my time at Beatle woods and learning as much as I can during my apprenticeship.

When I am not at Beatle woods, I’m usually enjoying myself at either Explorer Scouts, Taekwondo, kayaking or maybe sometimes just gaming and playing the drums.