The Acorn Nursery School consists of a team of competent, committed, caring and experienced employees.
Allow us to introduce them to you on this page.
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
Nursery Co-Manager
Room Leader in Catkins and Squirrels
SENDCo
Behaviour Management Lead
Data Protection Officer
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'm delighted to be part of the extremely friendly and very professional team at Acorn Nursery. I was excited to discover that Acorns has a Forest School area as I support the Forest School lead at my own children's school and really enjoy it and recognise the value of outside learning. In addition to my role with Acorn Nursery I volunteer at my children's school as a parent reader and help with various PTA roles. In my spare time I enjoy walking my dog, cooking and reading.
Gemma Dighton
Nursery Co-Manager
Acorns Class Room Leader
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
EarlyYears Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor.
Qualifications:
NPQ Early Years Leader
Level 3 Early Learning and Young People’s Workforce (QCF)
Level 4 The Early Years: Developing Practice, Young Children’s Play and Creativity.
Baby & Beyond Yoga & Mindfulness Instructor
Froebel Trainee
Forest School Level 3 Trainee
Paediatric 1st Aid Trained
My three children all attended Acorns where they flourished and confidently made the transition into primary school. They are all at secondary school now and have fond memories of their time at Acorns.
I began working in early years in 2008 and have been professionally involved with Acorns since 2011. I am level 4 qualified and have undertaken further training in
‘young children’s play and creativity’ as well as regularly updating my skills with CPD.
At Acorns I have the opportunity to be part of a professional, nurturing team that offers the children a stimulating, caring, safe and secure environment to thrive in. I love working in
early years, supporting each child’s individual development and being part of their learning journey. Working with children teaches you to expect the unexpected and guarantees that no two days will
be the same!
In my free time I love exploring the surrounding areas walking my dog, running, reading and trying to perfect the ‘crow’ yoga pose!
Leanne Larner
Early Years Practitioner in Acorns
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.
Sharon Gardner
Nursery Deputy Manager
Deputy Room Leader in Acorns
Early Years Practitioner in Acorns
Deputy DSL
Qualifications:
Scottish Nursery Education Board (SNEB)
Paediatric 1st Aid Trained
I trained and qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in Scotland in 1989. I moved to England in 1991 to work with children in a Special Educational Needs Boarding School, which was a challenging but immensely rewarding job. The first of my three children started at Acorn in 2002, I was delighted to join the Acorn team shortly after that. The children are always such a joy to teach and care for. It’s a super environment to work in and I feel fortunate to be part of such a great, supportive, team, especially in my current role as Catkins/Squirrels Room Leader.
In my spare time I enjoy being with my family, walking and cycling.
Krista Ross
Deputy Room Leader in Acorns
PE & Music & Movement Lead
Gardening Club
Qualifications:
Diploma PreSchool Practice
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.
Mel Luck
Deputy Room Leader in Catkins & Squirrels
Early Years Practitioner in Catkins & Squirrels
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.
Clare Brambley
Early Years Practitioner in Acorns
SENDCo Trained
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.
Anna Grazier
Qualifications:
Gina Cook
Early Years Practitioner & SEND Support in Acorns Class
Qualifications:
Diploma in Pre-school Practice
Paediatric 1st Aid Trained
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.
Sarah Emmett
Early Years Practitioner
1st Aid Trained
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.
Early Years Practitioner in Catkins & Squirrels
Qualifications:
Diploma in Child Care & Education Level 3
Paediatric 1st Aid Trained
I’m excited to be working at Acorn Nursery. Being apart of an 'Outstanding' nursery is such a pleasure and working with the awesome team is a joy!
Since I was at school, I always wanted to work with young children. So after I left school I undertook an apprenticeship and gained my Childcare qualifications from college in 2013. I have worked in a couple of different settings over the years, with varying aged children, but 2 to 3's were always my favourite so I'm delighted to be working in Catkins & Squirrels Class.
In my spare time, I like to go for walks in the countryside with my family, explore new places and cooking/baking with my daughter.
Jane Wilson
IT Support / Supply
Qualifications:
EYITT
BA Primary Education QTS
Paediatric 1st Aid Trained
SENDCo Trained
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.