Our Staff
Sessions are run by a caring and dedicated staff team with a wealth of knowledge and experience:-
Tracey
Setting’s Manager​
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I am a mum of four children, all of whom started their education at Scalliwags. I have lived in Paddock Wood since 1997, prior to this I lived and worked in Germany, teaching German and English in classes ranging from two-year olds to adults. I have been involved with Scalliwags since 2001, first as Chairperson of the Committee and since 2003 as an employee. I have held various roles on the business side of Scalliwags with my current position being that of Senior Manager running the Setting. Suffice to say, I love my job.
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BA in Economics and German
Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Child Protection Awareness Training
Carly
Children’s Manager, Safeguarding Designated Lead, Health & Safety
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I have lived in Paddock Wood since birth. I have grown up in the community and now have my own family here. My two children attended Scalliwags, and it was easy to see the positive effect attending Scalliwags had on them socially and with their communication. This is what drove me to change my career in 2016 from Banking to Early Years Education. I trained to obtain My Level 3 qualification and I can honestly say the nightly revision was worth it as I now enjoy every working day helping the children to achieve the best they can.
CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator
Paediatric First Aid
Designated Lead Safeguarding Training
Health & Safety Level 2
Jenny
Qualified Pre-School Practitioner
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I have lived in Paddock Wood for around 10 years and I joined the Scalliwags team in November last year. I have been part of the Scalliwags community for much longer though as all of my three children have attended the Setting (my youngest daughter is currently in Bear Club). I have a background in Early Years teaching, spending the first 5 years of my career teaching in a Reception class and with children all the way up to Year 6. Before I became a teacher, I worked in a nursery with babies up to pre-school age and ran an afterschool club for primary aged children.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, yoga and wildlife watching.
BA Film Studies
P.G.C.E Early Years & QTS
Charlotte
Deputising Senior Qualified Pre-School Practitioner, SENCO, H & S, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
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I have been working in childcare at various nurseries and pre-schools since I left school, I then went on to complete a degree in childhood studies at the University of Greenwich. I help to run a local brownie group and live locally to paddock wood. I started working at Scalliwags in 2014 and love all aspects of the job, but particularly enjoy the challenges and rewards of being the Setting’s SENCO.
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BA in Childhood Studies (Level 6)
SENCO Trained
Paediatric First Aid
Designated Safeguarding Lead Trained
Health & Safety Level 2
Cathy
Deputising Senior Qualified Pre-School Practitioner, SENCO, H & S, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
I have lived in Paddock Wood since 2006. I am a mother to three beautiful boys, including twins. I have worked at Scalliwags since 2015 but have been involved a lot longer than this, as a parent when my three boys attended the setting. I enjoy my role as EAL Co-ordinator, finding ways of making all of our children feel welcome and part of the Scalliwags community.
CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator
Paediatric First Aid
SENCO Trained
Designated Safeguarding Lead Trained
Health & Safety Level 2
Justine
Qualified Pre-School Practitioner
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I am a mother of three - two crazy children and the hairy dog.
I've now worked at our Pre-School for over three years and have become the resident 'bug catcher' who loves the earth, nature and animals. I hope to nurture and share this love of our amazing planet with our little pre-schoolers! I am open, outgoing, energetic and hopefully make the children (and my peers) laugh with my enthusiastic approach!
CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator
Paediatric First Aid.
Child Protection Awareness Training
Victoria
Qualified Pre-School Practitioner
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Seventeen years ago, I moved to Paddock Wood where I live with my husband and two children.
I began my career working as a houseparent in a residential school for children with severe speech and language impairment before leaving to become a primary school teacher. During my twelve-year teaching career, I was part of the Senior Leadership Team and SENCo.
Since having my own children, I have developed an interest in Early Years, hence the change in career path. I love working with children with all the challenges and rewards it brings. Every day is different but there will always be something that will warm my heart and make me smile!
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BA Sociology with Education
P.G.C.E. Primary Key Stage 2 & QTS
Postgraduate Certificate in SEN Co-ordination
Rachel
Qualified Pre-School Practitioner, EAL Co-ordinator
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I've lived in Paddock Wood for over thirty years. I'm a mother to three children, all of whom have attended Scalliwags. I have been working at Scalliwags since September 2018, having previously been a regular volunteer Parent Helper and prior to being an employee I was a parent representative at Trustee meetings.
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CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator
Paediatric First Aid.
Child Protection Awareness Training
Kate
Pre-School Practitioner
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I am a mum of three young children all of whom have attended Scalliwags, as well as myself many years ago! I have lived in Paddock Wood my whole life and having seen first hand the good work Scalliwags does in the community, I wanted to be a part of it. Whilst I have only been a team member for a few months, I have loved every minute.
Janice
Qualified Pre-School Practitioner
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​I have lived in Paddock Wood for nine years. I have three grown up children and three grandchildren. I have been working with children (mostly two to five-year old) for over 25 years all over the country. I have worked in pre-schools, nurseries and an after-school club but can honestly say pre-school is where my heart lies. I have worked at Scalliwags since 2014.
Level 3 Diploma in Pre-School Practice (DPP)
Level 3 NVQ in Management
Paediatric First Aid
Level 2 Health & Safety Training
Child Protection Awareness Training
Julie
Pre-School Practitioner
I am a mum of three. My middle child has Downs Syndrome and he was born with a heart problem. Life was very busy with many professionals involved in our lives as well as hospital stays and appointments. Happily, he is now healthy and enjoys his life with supported living.
I didn't know anything about Scalliwags until three of my Grandsons joined and they loved it. When I told them I was going to start working here they said “You will love it Granny!”, and they are right, I do love it! Whilst I don't have qualifications within childcare, I do have lots of experience!
Jane
Administration Assistant
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​I live locally with my husband and two grown up sons who both attended Scalliwags. I have been providing Admin support to Scalliwags since 2008 and have seen many changes during that time. I enjoy being part of the team and am proud to be part of a long-established and successful community resource. Prior to having my family, I was PA to the Legal and Compliance Director of a large City investment company.
Senior Secretarial Certificate
Child Protection Awareness Training