Our Aims
At Little Explorers Hythe we aim to provide the best possible childcare and early years education for young children.
We aim to:
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Develop in every child; a positive self image, confidence and sensitivity to others
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Help children and their parents to make an easy transition from the family home to the larger community of the nursery and on to school
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Maintain a welcoming, secure and stimulating environment in which little minds and bodies can grow happily and at their own pace
What is the EYFS?
It is a framework which shapes high standards of practice. At our nursery we embrace the EYFS wholeheartedly, from activities, resources and staff training through to policies, procedures and management. A child's experience in the early years has a major impact on their future life chances.
The Nursery follows a structure of learning, development and care for children from birth to five years old. This is called the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and it enables your child to learn through a range of activities.
EYFS seeks to ensure that we provide the level of care which means parents can be confident that their child will receive a quality experience that supports their development and learning.
There are six areas of Learning and Development, which help us to observe, plan and assess your child's activities, based on their individual development and needs.
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development
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Communication, Language and Literacy
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Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
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Knowledge and Understanding of the World
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Physical Development
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Creative Development
This approach ensures that the EYFS meets the overarching aim of improving outcomes and reflects that it is every child's right to grow up safe; healthy; enjoying and achieving; making a position contribution; and with economic well-being. Find out more about the EYFS here;
Meet The Team
Little Explorers Hythe is owned and managed by two experienced, qualified teachers. Between us we have over 20 years of teaching experience in a fast paced and growing local primary school. Our passion is Early Years! We are determined to provide the best childcare in Shepway.
Nicola Pochin
Managing Director
With over 10 years of teaching experience, I am committed to creating an outstanding nursery for the community of Hythe. With our proven ideas and new exciting initiatives, we strive to make a difference. Our nursery is an exciting place to learn, develop and work. Our doors are open to all children.
Sara Troke
Deputy Room Leader/Nursery Practitioner
Sara has a CACHE level 3 qualification in childcare and has a wealth of experience working particularly with babies. Sara is our Deputy Room Leader for all rooms. Sara is particularly keen to ensure that parents feel happy and confident to leave their children in our care.
Tracey Johnson
Nursery Practitioner
Tracey is a level 3 practitioner with 20 years experience of working with children. Tracey has previously worked as a room leader in a nursery and has experience of caring for both children and the elderly.
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Grace Guiver
Baby Room Leader
Grace is level 3 Room Leader for the baby and toddler rooms. She has a wealth of experience from working at a large Busy Bee's nursery leading a baby room. She is particularly interested in making sure that babies within our care feel comfortable and follow their routine.
Nicky Baker
Pre-School Room Leader
Nicky is a Level 3 Room Leader of one of our pre-school rooms. Nicky has a very wide range of experience, from being a SENCo to a manager at previous settings. Nicky has a particular in books and storytime, and enjoys incorporating the use of numbers in children's play.
Penny Denne
Pre-School Room Leader
Penny is the current room leader of one of our pre-school rooms. She has a degree in Childhood Studies. Penny has a breadth of experience from previously working as a Teaching Assistant as well as within nurseries and has also worked with much older children. She has a passion for encouraging children's independence.
Gosia Stelmaszewska
Nursery Practitioner
Gosia is a qualified teacher who has a wealth of experience in planning age appropriate activities. Gosia has a good understanding of different languages, including Polish and Russian and has a passionate for in-cooperating culture into her teaching. Gosia particularly enjoys singing nursery rhymes.
Georgie Culshaw
Managing Director
My experience managing a local primary school nursery and foundation department inspired my decision to work with Nicola to create a new nursery in Hythe. We strive to provide the best possible childcare for every child and family whilst also creating a fantastic environment for staff to work, learn and grow together.
Jasmine Nelson
Deputy Manager
Jasmine has a Masters degree in Child Development alongside her BSc degree in Psychology and Early Childhood Studies. Jasmine has a breadth of experience working with all age groups of children, and has a particular passion for providing safe and stimulating environments for children play in, indoors as well as outdoors.
Kirsty Light
Nursery Practitioner
Kirsty has an Level 3 Playworker qualification. Kirsty has over 10 years of experience working with children of all ages, and specific experience working with children with SEND. Kirsty has a particular interest in using Makaton.
Paula Bateman
Nursery Practitioner
Paula is a level 3 practitioner. She has a wealth of experience, working in childcare in nurseries and as a nanny for over 15 years. Paula is passionate about making a difference and is particularly interested in phonics and supporting children with early reading and writing.
Lilly Taylor
Nursery Practitioner
Lilly is a level 3 practitioner. She loves singing and dancing with the children. You will often find Lilly joining in with the children's imaginative games, especially in the garden.
Bethany Dempsey
Nursery Practitioner and SENCo
Beth is a level 3 practitioner. She is a calm and passionate member of our team with an interest in additional needs and how best to support children. Beth is our nursery SENCo so please feel free to ask her any questions if you have any concerns about your child.
Hayley Carden
Nursery Practitioner
Hayley has a level 3 qualification in Children and Young Peoples' Workforce. She works with all the different ages of children, covering lunches for staff members. Hayley has a passion for encouraging children to have healthy lunches and has introduced real plates and cutlery at lunchtimes.
Emily Kendall
Nursery Practitioner - Maternity Leave
Emily has a Level 3 qualification in Children's care, learning and development. Emily has a particular passion for children learning outside, and enjoys creating messy play activities.
Lynette Marshall
Office Leader
Netty is our office leader, who is responsible for organising invoices, holidays and liaising with parents regarding their children's hours at nursery. Netty has previous experience of working in primary schools and nurseries.
Georgia Hughes
Nursery Practitioner
Georgia is currently in the process of finishing her degree at university. She is studying Early Childhood Studies and Special Educational Needs. Georgia has experience working with a play therapist and is always willing to help others.
Clem Whitehead
Nursery Practitioner
Clem has a Level 3 qualification in the Early Years Workforce, and is currently completing a childcare degree at university. Clem works part-time and supports the children across all our rooms. Clem likes exploring mark making.
Join Our Team
At Little Explorers Hythe we are always keen to hear from individuals who have;
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A great passion for supporting children to develop
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Good communication skills and who able to work as part of a team
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A sense of humour, common sense and a ‘can do’ attitude!
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Lots of drive, ambition and energy!
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Determination, persistence and resilience, who approach and overcome challenges with a positive attitude
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2 years experience working in early years and that holds a level 3 childcare qualification
Please contact us for further details.
Click on the button to download our Staff Application Form