About Us
Broad Oak Preschool is an OFSTED-regulated preschool situated in Broad Oak, East Sussex. We have been offering experienced childcare in a nurturing environment for over 40 years.
As a registered charity, we are affiliated to the Early Years Alliance. We are passioante about offering childcare to all families with exceptional learning opportunities. We work hard to fundrasie to support the running of the preschool along with our highly support management committee. We serve the surrounding local area, feeding into many local primary schools.
We operate from Broad Oak Village Hall. It has a kitchen, large open hall area and accessible toilet facilities. The hall has a secure large garden space, this includes an all-weather surface. It is also accessible to wheelchair users and those with physical disabilities. Broad Oak Preschool also has an amazing forest school area, which we believe to be the 'cherry on the top' for the provision we offer.
We are open on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 7.30am to 4.00pm and Fridays 8.00 am -12.30pm term time only.
Our highly experienced and trained staff all observe, plan and assess pupil development using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework (2024). We also pride ourselves in offering forest school learning along with a range of activities that support the growth of wellbeing, mindfulness and learning.
We work closely with our families to ensure all children and families needs are met alongside supporting their transition from preschool to school. We welcome you to visit us and come and see for yourself the learning environment offered here.
Kat Varley
Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Kat is extremely passionate about early years education after working for 14 years in Reception and Nursery in primary schools. It has always been her dream to be a part of a preschool setting. Kat moved from London seven years ago to Heathfield with her family. She has two children of her own.
Kat is driven to ensure that all children and families are happy, safe and developing well whilst attending preschool.
Kat's qualifications are: QTS status, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Peadiatric first aid trained and Elklan Level 1.
Julie Williams
Deputy Manager & Forest School Lead
Julie has been working in a nursery setting with young children for over 22 years. Julie previously worked for Tumble Tots and is a keen advocate for physical activities and movement for children. Julie is a qualified Forest School Lead but is also enthusiastic about music, healthy eating and promoting healthy choices for children and families at the setting.
Julie has two children and is a committed member of her local community.
Julie's qualifications are: BTEC National Diploma in Nursery Nursing, Level 3 in Childcare, Deputy Designated Safeguarding lead, Forest School, Forest School First Aid, Peadiatric First Aid, Phunky Foods trained.
Niki Elliott
Level 3 Practitioner & SENDco
Niki joined our preschool in March 2022. She has a huge portfolio of experience in early years and is committed to providing nuturing care to all children in her care. Niki is pasionate about supporting pupils with additional needs and has taken on the role of SENDco at the setting, qualifying level 3 in SENDco. She and Kat work together to ensure that all additional needs are being met and seeking the appropriate support from outside agencies.
Niki has two children and is also a dog lover. She is also a super artist so look out for her drawings around the setting.
Niki's qulaifications are: Level 3 in Childcare, ESC Senco trained, Peadiatric first aid, Balancability trained.
Anna Gilson
Yoga Teacher and Practitioner
Anna joined our team in June 2022 and has made a significant impact in supporting our visiona and nurturing children's wellbeing. Anna leads Cosmic Kids Yoga on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning. All staff are trained by Anna to support mindfulness and wellbeing throughout the week with basic yoga poses and breathing techniques to help the children to find ways to regulate.
Anna has a wealth of knowledge about wellbeing, mental health and ways to support neuro divergent children.
Jemima Gathercole
Individual Needs Assistant
Jemima has an Early Years Degree and is passionate about supporting young children with developmental or neuro diverse needs. Jemima contributes to the team planning and vision and is a great support to all at preschool.
Jemima is also mum to two lovely children. Jemima loves outdoor learning and is regularly supporting our outdoor/nature approach with ideas and help.
Dawn Creasey
Level 3 Practitioner
Dawn has been a part of the Broad Oak family for many years as her three boys attended the setting. Dawn has been chair of the committee, volunteered as a member of staff and is now an established part of the team. Dawn is a continually progressing her skills and experience in early years and is a passionate member of the team.
Sadly, we are losing Dawn at the end of July 2024 as she has her fourth child. We hope she will return to us soon.
Dawn's qualifications are: Level 3 in childcare, Forest school first aid trained, Peadiatric first aid trained and balancability.
Sophie Reynolds
Level 3 Practitioner
Sophie has just recently joined the team and we are thrilled with how well she has fitted in with us.
Sophie is an experienced level 3 nursery practitioner with a particular interest in suporting children with any emotional, mental or physcial needs. Sophie is keep to professionally develop her skills in speech and language and we are all working towards being makaton trained.
Sophie is a mum to two children and regularly offers support and strategies to parents and staff from her own experience.