Meet The Team
Embsay-with-Eastby Pre-School Playgroup’s team has a wealth of experience and qualifications!
We are proud that all sessions are led by our fully qualified leaders, each of whom have experience in caring for children, as well as holding relevant academic qualifications. All of our staff are dedicated and friendly and always make sure that the children and their families are at the centre of what they do. We maintain a high ratio of adults to children, with at least 1 adult to 8 children, (over 3 years) and 1 adult to 4 children, (under 3 years). This means we can pay individual attention to promoting your child’s development, learning and care.
Back L-R: Emma Bowers, Judith Duxbury, Lynn Hull, Judith Robinson & Gill Pennett Front L-R: Kazia Hutchinson, Judy Hirst & Helen Burns
Our Managers are Judy Hirst and Emma Bowers from September 2024
Judy Hirst joined the group as a volunteer whilst completing her Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce. She then joined the staff team as a practitioner in February 2020 before being promoted to Deputy Manager in April 2022 and then Manager in September 2024. Judy completed the Early Years Inital Teacher Training (EYITT) in 2023 and was awarded Best Practice Network trainee of the year. Judy has also been Chairperson so has a huge amount of knowledge and experience of running a not-for-profit Pre-school. Judy is our joint Designated Lead for Safeguarding and SENCo.
Emma Bowers joined our team in November 2021 to work in both the Pre-school and the Out of School Club as a practitioner and has since been promoted to Deputy Manager of the Out of School Club and Holiday Club and then Manager in September 2024. Emma is a qualified teacher with a PGCE and has worked as a primary school teacher and teaching assistant. Emma is our joint Designated Lead for Safeguarding and lead for GDPR.
Kazia Hutchinson joined us in December 2016 and has a Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (EYE). Kazia was appointed temporary deputy manager in April 2025. Kazia is our Health & Safety Officer.
Helen Burns joined us in January 2017 and has a Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner. Helen is our deputy Safeguarding Lead and also our inclusion and equality lead.
Gill Pennett joined us in October 2019 as an Out of School Co-Leader. Gill is a Higher Level Teaching Assistant with many years Primary Education experience and is skilled in many forms of art and crafts.
Judith Duxbury joined us in January 2024 and has a Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education. Judith is our Fire Marshall Officer and deputy or health & saftey.
Lynn Hull joined us in April 2025. Lynn has a Level 3 NQ in Children’s Care, Learning and Development and a lot of experience supporting children with SEND in primary school. She is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider.
Judith Robinson is our administrator. She has a BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years and has been awarded Early Years Professional Status. Judith has been involved with the Pre-School for nearly 30 years, as a member of the management committee, Leader, manager and now administrator.
All staff have paediatric first aid training which is renewed every 3 years. The team also attend regular training courses, for example various Safeguarding topics, Food Safety, Health and Safety, Prevent and British Values, etc. which enables them to keep informed with new legislation and to maintain their continued professional development. All the team attend regular update meetings with regard to legislation, closing the gap, SEND meetings, to ensure we provide for the best outcomes for ALL children and especially those who are experiencing difficulties.
The staff recognise the importance of working with parents, carers and other professionals to develop holistic knowledge of the child and to ensure they are meeting the needs of EVERY child.
We have robust safer recruitment procedures which are regularly reviewed and training updated. All staff members are subject to an Enhanced Criminal Record check thorough the Disclosure and Barring Service and suitable references before working with the children unsupervised. All staff complete informative inductions and their employment is subject to completing a 6 month probationary period successfully. Children’s safety and well-being are our highest priority.
Ofsted awarded us ‘outstanding in all areas’ for the seond time in March 2022 saying….
“The children flourish at this unique pre-school and are extremely happy and settled. Children are provided with high-quality care in a calm and stimulating home-from-home learning environment. Staff recognise children’s unique charaters and nuture their specfici skills and talents. Children’s behaviour is impeccable. They are respectful and caring towards each other.”
We were delighted with this judgement and continue to work hard to ensure our standard of provision is of the highest quality and meets the individual needs of all children who attend.
Management Committee
As a charity we are managed by a group of parents who are elected annually as our management committee/trustees. This year they are:
Chairperson: Vicki and Luke Hindmarch (subject to checks by Ofsted. Until then Gemma Holmes)
Deputy Chairperson: Gemma Holmes
Secretary: Nicola Bean
Treasurer: Whitney Firth
Other members: Kathryn Tebb, Emma Firth, Emma Stead and Sophie Fountain
Named roles for committee members:
Designated safeguarding lead: Luke Hindmarch
SEND: Nicola Bean
Health & Saftey: Emma Stead
Mental Health: Emma Firth
New family co-ordinator: Vicki Hindmarch