Our Team

The lovely people behind our Project

Sarah

Executive Manager
St Mary's & Woolwich Common Nurseries

Lead SENDco

My name is Sarah and I joined the amazing team of Under 5’s project in January 2000. I am the Executive Nursery Manager and lead SENDco at The Under 5’s Project- Woolwich Common & St Mary’s Nurseries.

Over my long career at Under 5’s project, I have held every position, this has given me invaluable experience of being able to relate to every single role withing our nursery.

I am passionate about leading a fabulous team to provide an outstanding early experience for all children.

Educators

Nurseries

Highest level of qualifications:

Early Years Professional Status(EYPS), Bachelor of arts in Early Years, Foundation Degree in childhood studies, (Early Years), NVQ 2 & 3 in care and Education. BTEC in Health and Social Care(Merit), NVQ 2 Business studies, First aider, Food Hygiene.

Meet

Our team at St Mary's Church

Jemma

Nursery Manager & Designated Safeguarding lead - St Mary's Nursery

Childcare has been her one and only career, working with children from 3 months to 5 years in nursery and school settings in practitioner and management roles. Jemma joined The Under 5’s Project in 2016, becoming full-time Manager of St Mary’s site in 2022 when we expanded. Jemma is passionate about giving all children the best possible start to their early education.

Kenzie

Deputy Manager & Room Leader - Daisies

Kenzie joined us in 2019 as a level 3 Apprentice. Since qualifying, Kenzie has worked in the Daisies room, building her skills and expertise. She is now an integral part of the leadership team. Kenzie completed the Early Talk Boost training and runs communication workshops with the children. She is passionate about guiding children to develop their independence, confidence, and sense of self.

Emma

SENDco & Inclusion Manager

Emma has a passion for supporting children with SEND and promoting all areas of inclusion throughout the nursery. Emma has been part of the team since 2017. Since joining us, she has developed her skills by completing NVQ levels 2 and 3 in childcare and qualifying as a certified Early Years SEND Coordinator in 2023. Emma runs the Early Talk Boost Sessions alongside Kenzie.

Sabine

Specialist Support Worker - Daisies Room

Sabine is our Nursery SEND support worker. She joined our nursery in 2024 with a passion for working alongside children with Special educational needs. Sabine has completed many courses, including Sensory Circuit training, Understanding Autism and Makaton training. Sabine works closely with Emma, providing 1-1 support and assisting with interventions and sensory activities.

Nadine

Nursery Assistant - Daisies

Nadine is our Daisies room apprentice, currently studying towards her level 3 in childcare. Coming from a large family, Nadine is devoted to a career in childcare and particularly enjoys helping children to share their feelings and emotions. Nadine wants to extend her knowledge and skills around SEND

Sharon

Well Being Co-ordinator & Room Leader Buttercups

Sharon is our Buttercups room leader and Wellbeing Practitioner. She joined us in 2023 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, with an extensive background in childminding and family support. She has many talents and is our go-to photographer, face painter and artist, to name but a few! Sharon is passionate about giving children the best Early Years experience, going above and beyond for every child in our care.

Zoe

Nursery Assistant - Buttercups

Zoe is a level 2 practitioner based in Buttercups and is currently studying her NVQ level 3 Zoe joined us as bank staff, but we loved her so much she joined us permanently in 2023. Zoe loves watching the children grow and develop, seeing their progression throughout their journey with us.

Gracie

Nursery Assistant - Buttercups

Gracie joined us in 2022 as a nursery apprentice. She is now NVQ level 2 qualified and is a nursery Practitioner in Buttercups. Gracie loves encouraging the children to be active and energetic and is happiest when leading dance and movement activities with the children.

Taite

Support Worker

Taite joined our team in 2024 assisting the staff and supporting the children. He has a qualification in engineering and enjoys challenging the children’s thought processes during construction activities.

Meet

Our team at Woolwich Common

Michelle (Chelle)

Nursery Manager - Woolich Common

Chelle has been at The Under 5’s since 2014, she has a lifelong career in childcare and helped us to open up our first dedicated ‘two year old room’ at St Marys Nursery. She was also part of our core team that moved from St Mary’s to open our Woolwich Common Nursery. Chelle has a passion for Early language skills and is an ECAT leader.

Vikki

Deputy Manager & Room Leader - Rosebuds

Vikki is our Deputy Manager and Room leader of Rosebud Room. Vikki led on the recent opening of our first ever baby room and helped design a beautiful space for our littlest clients. She has a long career in childcare starting in 2005 Vikki has a passion for promoting positive parent partnerships and hosts parent meet ups at the nursery. Vikki hold a level 3 Early Years Educator qualification

Zoe

Room Leader - Sunflowers Room

Zoe joined our new Woolwich Common Nursery in 2022 and is the Room leader of the Sunflowers Room. Zoe has a lot of experience and training in SEND, including level 2 sensory processing disorder training alongside other SEN support therapies. Zoe leads the ‘Early Talk Boost’ programme alongside Nicola. Zoe holds a level 3 Early Years Educator qualification

Hannah

Deputy Room Leader - Sunflowers Room

Hannah has been part of The Under 5’s team since 2016. Hannah has worked with all age groups and is currently deputy room leader of the Sunflowers class. Hannah has a passion for holistic development and loves seeing the children grow and develop from their starting points Hannah holds a Level 3 Early Years educator Qualification

Claire

Nursery Practitioner - Rosebuds Room

Claire is a level 3 qualified practitioner who has worked within all rooms in the nursery. She started her career with us as a student, and we loved her being around so much she stayed Claire currently works In the Rosebuds room.

Liz

Room Leader - Bluebells Room

Liz is our Bluebells Room Team Leader. She started her career in the NHS and moved into childcare in 2001. Liz is our resident ‘Green Finger’ and runs a weekly garden club with the children. Liz is passionate about books and reading and enjoys promoting stories throughout the nursery. Liz holds a level 3 Early Years Educator Qualification

Nicola

Nursery SENDco & Inclusion Manager

Nicola is our SENDco and Inclusion Manager She is passionate about supporting children with SEND and promoting all areas of inclusion throughout the nursery. Nicola is also trained in ‘Early Talk Boost’ and, alongside Zoe, delivers communication workshops for children at the nursery. Nicola has been at the nursery since 2015, opening our first ever dedicated ‘Two-year-old’ room alongside Michelle. Nicola holds a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification and is a qualified Sendco

Rachel

Well-Being Co-ordinator & Deputy Room Leader - Bluebells

Rachel is our Deputy Room Leader of the Bluebells team and the nursery’s well-being Officer. Rachel joined the nursery when we opened the Woolwich Common site in 2022. Rachel has a long history with The Under 5’s Project and was previously a student and volunteer with us at St Marys Site. Rachel is also qualified in Makaton and understanding children's and young people’s mental health. Rachel has a passion for Drawing and is our resident face painter. Rachel holds a level 3 Early Years Educator Qualification

Angela

Senior Practitioner - Bluebells Room

Angela is currently part of our Bluebells room Team. She has been in Early education for over 35 years and brings with her a wealth of experience and value. She has held many different positions and roles within early education, including Nursery Manager. Ange really enjoys Arts and crafts and seeing the focus and enjoyment it brings to the children. Angela a qualified forest school leader and also holds a level 3 Early years educator qualification.

Connie

Nursery Assistant - Sunflowers Room

You’ll find Connie in the Sunflowers room. Connie really enjoys providing creative and messy activities to the children and has a passion for early language development. Connie holds a level 2 Early Years Practitioner Qualification.

Tasha

Senior Practitioner & Specialist Key Person - Bluebells Room

Tasha is a trainee SENDco and specialist inclusion key person. Joined our team in 2021. Tasha primarily supports children with SEND and has been a 1-1 support practitioner. Tasha has experience supporting children with SEND from the start of their journey to their transition to primary school. Tasha holds a Level 3 Early Years Educator Qualification and is a qualified SENDCO

Ella

Garden Club Lead

Woolwich Common & St Mary's Church

Liz alongside with Ella, run the Gardening club every Wednesday (weather permitting) The children will be able to help care for our plants and learn about weeding, watering, and planting new seeds and flowers. We also maintain our herb gardens for use in the nursery classes. Ella has worked at the Under 5's Project since the 1980's and was previously Nursey Manager at St Marys, she is now enjoying retirement and keeping our gardens looking pretty.

Under 5's

Staff retention record

The staff at The Under 5’s Project are experienced nursery practitioners.

We pride ourselves on promoting continual professional development and encourage in house training.

We have a very high staff retention record.
All Staff have gone through enhanced DBS police checks.
All staff attend regular training to keep up to date with recent developments.
All staff receive food hygiene training
All staff hold a paediatric first aid qualification (unless exempt)