Our Team

Pauline Crowder

Head of Nursery and Ofsted Registered Person

Qualifications:

Diploma Pre-School Practice

City and Guilds Early Years Practitioner (324 & 365)

NVQ 3 Child Care and Education

SENDCo Trained

Paediatric 1st Aid Trained

I started Acorn Nursery in 1990 to provide, what I considered to be, a perfect environment of learning through play for my, then, 2-year-old daughter, my youngest of three children. I’ve seen many changes over the years in the Early Years sector but our ethos remains the same now, as it was then, to provide a Safe, Nurturing and Exciting environment in which children can develop key skills and become confident learners. I have a wonderful job, as there’s no greater reward than teaching children. I’m fortunate to have an amazing team of dedicated and committed staff, who also are great fun to work with.

In my free time I enjoy hill walking, especially in the Scottish Highlands, Kayaking, Pilates and keeping fit. I’m also attempting to learn golf! I enjoy my Book Club and a very sociable monthly pub quiz. I love spending time with my family and friends.

Wendy Hastie

Qualifications:

NPQ Early Years Leader

Qualifications: NVQ 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.

Paediatric 1st Aid Trained

I began working with children in 2006 when I joined a day care nursery in London.  I quickly came to love the nursery environment and re-trained from Human Resources Management to gain my Childcare qualification. Children's boundless energy and eagerness to learn is truly infectious and a joy to be part of.  I joined the Acorns team in 2018 and became Manager in 2022.  I'm extremely proud to be part of the friendly and professional team at Acorn Nursery.  In my spare time I enjoy walking my dog, cooking and reading.

Mel Luck

Deputy Room Leader in Acorns Class

Early Years Practitioner in Acorns

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Health & Safety Officer

Qualifications:

Children and Young Persons Workforce (CYPD) Level 3

Paediatric 1st Aid Trained

I came to know and love Acorn when my two daughters attended, I loved the nursery environment so much I knew I wanted to be part of it. When my youngest child started school, I re-trained from retail management to become an Early Years Practitioner. I love working with the 2 and 3-year olds, watching them grow in confidence and I really enjoy helping to teach them to develop the necessary key skills during these early years. It really is a joy to be part of the children’s learning journey.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, history and spending time with family. I love listening to 80’s music.

Krista Ross

Early Years Practitioner in Acorns Class

Music & Movement Lead

Gardening Club

Qualifications:

Diploma PreSchool Practice (Level 3)

ECAT (Every Child A Talker) Trained

                            Paediatric 1st Aid Trained

I live in Cranleigh with my husband and have three grown up children. I have been an Early Years Practitioner for 26 years and at Acorn for 15 of those. I love working with the pre-school children, the joy of watching them become such confident learners is wonderful and so rewarding. I enjoy working with our enthusiastic team, in such a warm and caring environment. I seem to have inherited the children’s gardening club, which they love especially in the summer when they can pick and eat the fruit that they’ve planted. It’s ironic that I’m actually working in the school grounds that I started my own Learning Journey on over 45 years ago.

In my spare time I enjoy gardening especially growing my own fruit and vegetables, although I’m still learning and love to hear other gardener’s tips and advice.

Sarah Emmett

Early Years Practitioner In Catkins

PE & Yoga Co-ordinator for all classes

My passion for working with children started almost 20 years ago when I qualified as a teacher specialising in Physical Education. Over the years I have taught the full age range from Early Years up to A level, but teaching the youngest age range is my favourite because they are like little sponges and absorb everything! I enjoy keeping children active and love seeing them learn new skills.  

My daughter attended Acorns over 10 years ago and I am very excited to join the team, as I have first hand experience of the amazing opportunities Acorns offers. 

Outside of work I play Netball and you will often see me walking my dogs or out for a run. 

My career in education began volunteering in my children’s school, covering nursery and reception back in 1999. I immersed myself in the role, quickly realising that working with children was a hugely rewarding experience that I wanted to explore further. Since then I have developed my skills, built on my experience and gained a real passion for supporting and teaching children within Early Years. I enrolled in Kingston College and qualified in 2001 with a Diploma in pre-school practice, which set me in good stead to begin my employment where my children went to school. I have continued to gain professional development from CPD and supportive colleagues ever since.

In my free time I enjoy getting outside in nature, yoga, and spending time with family and friends.

Nicola Condon

Early Years Practitioner in Catkins Class

Qualifications: 

NVQ 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.

Early Years Child Development 

Paediatric 1st Aid Trained

I completed my NVQ Level 2 training in 2007 to become a qualified Early Years Practitioner.
I have a real passion for the Early Years Care and Education sector and it is a privilege to be part of children’s start in their educational journey. There is truly no greater reward than helping to shape young minds and watching their growth and progression into confident learners.
After taking a career break to spend time with and raise my two boys I am very much looking forward to my role at Acorns and continuing my professional development journey.
In my spare time I very much enjoy spending time with my family. Together we enjoy exploring new places. Visiting castle ruins around the country is a favourite as well as walking trails. I enjoy reading. Music and art are a big part of my home life.

Jo Bone

Early Years Practitioner in Catkins Class

Qualifications:

Diploma in Childcare and Education Level 3

I have always known that I wanted to work with chidren, so straight after finishing secondary school I started my diploma in Childcare and Education.  Once I was qualified I started a job as a nanny looking after three children.  I was lucky enough to watch them grow for 16 years.  I have also worked in different nursery settings, which I absolutely loved.  I'm now incredibly grateful and very much looking forward to my Early Years Practitioner role at Acorns.  In my spare time, I love spending time with my 3 beautiful daughters and husband.  I also enjoy going to the gym.

Clare Brambley

Room Leader in Squirrels Class

Early Years Practitioner in Squirrels

Qualifications:

Children and Young Persons Workforce (CYPD) Level 3

SEND (Surrey County Council Trained)

Paediatric 1st Aid Trained

I grew up in Australia and came to the UK to work as a Nanny for a year, I enjoyed it immensely and decided to remain working in Childcare. I then trained as a Nanny and loved my time working with three different families, who I still remain in close contact with. I’m married with four children, my eldest started at Acorn in 2009. We loved the ethos of the nursery and all my children had an excellent start to their education. I began volunteering at Acorn when my youngest started and I absolutely loved working with the children and being part of the Acorn team. I’m very keen to progress my career, hence my CYPD and my SEND qualifications. I particularly find working with children with Special Educational Needs immensely rewarding, so was delighted when I was offered the SENCo role.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, swimming, looking after our menagerie of pets and watching my children train and compete in their various sporting activities.

Leanne Larner  
  
Early Years Practitioner in Squirrels Class 

Forest School Lead

Licenced Thrive Practitioner

Qualifications:

Diploma in Child Care & Education Level 3

Forest School Trained Professional Lead 

Paediatric 1st Aid Trained/Forest School Outdoor 1st Aid Trained

Thrive Licenced Practitioner 

I had always known I wanted to work with children from a very young age, and began studying towards my childcare qualifications straight after leaving school. I continued to work in childcare right up until I had my first of three children.  After a break from childcare whilst raising my own children, I was then delighted to have the amazing opportunity to take up my current position here at the The Acorn Nursery School, where my youngest, Harry, attends and loves it!  It is an absolute pleasure working at such an outstanding nursery, alongside such a friendly and inspiring team. I particularly love the fact we spend so much time outdoors, as do the children.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, and raising funds for a  wonderful charity close to my heart, Shooting Star Children's Hospices.

Jane Wilson

IT Support / Supply

Qualifications:

EYITT

BA Primary Education QTS

I have taught in a range of settings and ages from Reception to Year 10 before coming to Acorn when my eldest daughter started. Two of my children have attended Acorn and they loved their time there and thrived. I now  offer support with Tapestry and all things IT.