The Teepee Team
We've hand-picked a friendly and experienced team that feels privileged to nurture every child in our nursery.
Step inside The Teepee and you'll find that our friendly team provides a high standard of care and education for children between six weeks and five years. You'll find The Teepee team ready to care for and cherish your child and really get to know what you both want. We are really proud of our collective qualifications and experience, as these make us truly unique.
The Cuddly Cubs Team (0 - 1 year olds)
Shirley Pegman – Room Leader
My qualifications: NVQ level 3, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid, First Aid at work
I returned to The Teepee as an Early Years Practitioner in April 2007. I have also worked as a nurse and volunteer for the Red Cross. I work with the Cuddly Cubs. I also enjoys looking after my grandson at the weekend.
Leanna Obbard – Early Years Practitioner
My qualifications: NVQ level 3, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I joined The Tepee in 2006 as a student and have completed my NVQ Level 3 in 2009. I have always been interested in working with children as being the oldest of 4, I helped look after my brothers and sisters.
Kirsty Sibley – Modern Apprentice
My qualifications: food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I have always been interested in childcare. I have had some work experience whilst at school at another nursery. Presently I look after a 3 year girl and a 4 year old boy at the weekends. My hobbies are swimming and socialising with my family & friends.
The Playful Pups Team (1 - 2 year olds)
Stacy Simmonds – Room Leader
My qualifications: NVQ level 3, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I am working towards my NVQ Level 3. I have been working in childcare for 3 years and enjoy working with all age groups. In my spare time I enjoy horse riding, swimming and relaxing with my friends and family.
Abigail Payne – Asst. Early Years Practitioner
My qualifications: NVQ level 2, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I am currently working towards my NVQ level 3. In my spare time I enjoy socialising and swimming, as well as looking after my 4 brothers and 2 sisters. I enjoy working with the little ones in the cuddly cubs.
The Bouncing Bears (1 - 2 year olds) Team
Angela Maynard – Room Leader
My qualifications: NNEB, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I have ample experience of working with young children, having spent 8 years working as a nanny and 10 years childminding. I am married with 2 daughters. I am the nominated person for Equal opportunities.
Hayley McCrae – Nursery Assistant
My qualifications: food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
Childcare has been my chosen path as even at school I worked as a primary school helper in my holidays, as well as a baby sitter. I have worked at The Teepee since 2003 and have experience of a wide age range of children. I am now working towards my NVQ level 2. My hobbies are card making and flower arranging.
The Cheeky Chipmunks (2 - 3 year olds) Team
Ali Munnis – Deputy Manager
My qualifications: NVQ level 3, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid, First Aid at work
I joined the Teepee in 2004 after deciding that childcare was for me and started my training the same year. I gained my Level 3 qualification in August 2008. I have a lot of experience babysitting for family and friends. I am the nominated person for SENCO.
Alexandra Taylor – Early Years Practitioner
My qualifications: NVQ level 3, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I joined the Teepee in February '09 while I was studying towards a Diploma in Childcare from Bracknell & Wokingham College (Equivalent to a Level 3) I am now qualified since June 2009. I enjoy dancing and spending time with my little cousins at the weekends and holidays. I enjoy travelling abroad.
Fiona Steed – Modern Apprentice
My qualifications: Paedeatric First aid
I joined The Teepee in September 2009. I originally trained as a Beauty Therapist and worked in a salon for a year. Unfortunately after a car crash last year I have been unable to do it full time. In my spare time I enjoy looking after my 3 nephews. I enjoy taking them swimming and to the park. i also love shopping.
The Racing Racoons (3 - 5 year olds) Team
Kay Folland – Room Leader
My qualifications: NVQ level 3, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I have three daughters and have always loved children, 'I always have a tribe of kids!'. I completed my Level 3 in 2009.
Lizzy Covell – Early Years Practitioner
My qualifications: NVQ level 3, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I qualified in July 2009. I have always wanted to work in Childcare and enjoy baby-sitting for friends and family. I like singing, dancing and being creative.
Kim King – Nursery Assistant
My qualifications: food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I joined The Teepee in 2005 to help cover team absences so works within all the rooms in the nursery. I also work as a hairdresser and am a mother of 2. I am currently working towards my NVQ Level 2.
The Support Team
Emma Tennant – Owner
My qualifications: BSc (Hons), RM, BSc (Hons), RGN, NVQ Level 3, Food Safety Level 2 , Child Protection Training Level 2, Fire Warden, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid
I'm the joint owner of the nurseries with Rebecca, my sister and I tend to spend the majority of my time at The Wigwam where I am involved on a day to day basis. I trained as a nurse at university and then went onto do my midwifery training. Before having Phoebe and Benedict, I also worked for Johnson & Johnson. Like Rebecca working for both the public sector and in business has given me a unique perspective of running a day nursery. I'm the nominated person for Safeguarding Children at The Wigwam. I am also a governor at my children's school and I also help to run Sunday school sessions at my church.
Rebecca Platt – Owner
My qualifications:
BA (Hons), NVQ Level 3, Food Safety Level 2, Fire Warden, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid
I'm the joint owner of the nurseries with Emma, my sister and I tend to spend the
majority of my time at The Teepee where I am involved on a day to day basis. I
left university and went to work in the Police, where amongst other departments
I worked in the child protection unit and police training college. Before having
Howard and Edie, who have also attended the nursery, I worked as a Management
Trainer at Woolworths Head Office. I've now gained my Early Years Professional
Status (Level 6) from Reading University, which is the equivalent of a teacher
for nurseries and I am working alongside the team to keep everyone up to date
with this prestigious course.
Emma Gealy – Nursery Manager
My qualifications: NNEB, food safety, Paedeatric First aid, First Aid at work
I have over fifteen years childcare experience and started working with Emma and
Rebecca at The Teepee back in 2002, then jumped at the chance of moving to
Reading when The Wigwam was taken over. I enjoy socialising and horse riding in
my spare time. I am the nominated person for Health & Safety, Fire and COSSH, as
these are areas that I am really passionate about.
Emma Matthews – Educational Manager
My qualifications: Foundation Degree L5, food safety, Paedeatric First aid, First Aid at work
I joined The Wigwam in 2008 after working locally for a large national chain. I am currently in my final year of my Foundation Degree at Bracknell
and Wokingham College and so am keeping at the forefront of early years research and practice I have then been accepted onto a Early Years
Professional course at Reading University. I am appointed person for Inclusion (behaviour management, special educational needs and equality and diversity) and this is a role that I really enjoy doing because I find them intersting and contimuing to learn.
Leanne Daniels – On maternity leave
My qualifications: NVQ level 3, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid, First Aid at work
Leanne has worked at the nursery since 2000. She is a mother and her little boy used to attend the nursery too. In her spare time she enjoys being with her friends and family. Leanne is the nominated person for Health & Safety, Fire Safety & COSSH.
Christabelle Menezes-Sachdev – Quality Manager
My qualifications: Master of Arts
I joined The Teepee in November 2007, when my eldest was at nursery and now I work between Bracknell and Reading. I am a mum of three, and my youngest son still goes to The Teepee. Previously I worked for an event management company and an export house in Mumbai. I speak Hindi and Marathi.
Joanna Farnsworth – Nursery Chef
My qualifications: food safety level 2 & 3
I joined the Teepee in September 2009 and I have been working in Catering as the cook at my local Primary School In Goring. I am also a trained aroma therapist. When not working I try to keep fit by running, doing yoga and ceroc dancing.
Jenny Lloyd – Kitchen Assistant
My qualifications: food safety level 2
I joined The Teepee in June 2007 to assist the chef in the kitchen. I have worked as a childminder for 17 years. I am married with 2 sons and a daughter. I enjoy gardening, cooking, music and tapestry
Amanda Brookman – Book-keeper
My qualifications: AAT
I am a mum of three. I used to work with a solicitors firm in Bracknell and moved
to work for The Teepee and The Wigwam in 2008. I enjoy going to concerts and to
the theatre in my spare time. I work remotely now from the Isle of Wight where I
has recently moved to with my family.
Carla Okor – Nursery Administrator
My qualifications: Public Realations degree/and Translator English-German
I joined The Teepee in February 2010. Prior to joining The Tepee I worked in Sales & Marketing for the Holiday Inn for the past 7 years. Both my children have been with The Teepee from their early months and have thoroughly enjoyed it here. My reason for joining The Teepee is my previous Sales & Marketing experience and having been a parent here at The Teepee for 6 years wanting to contribute to the already established success of The Teepee.
The reserve team
Rebecca Owen – Asst. Early Years Practitioner
My qualifications: NVQ level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I joined the Teepee in September 2009 and I have been qualified in childcare since June 2009 from Bracknell and Wokingham College. I have 3 younger sisters and enjoy spending my time with them. I enjoy going out shopping with my friends in my spare time, I also enjoy bowling, cinema and going out for dinner.
Karan Sharp – Early years Practitioner
My qualifications: NVQ level 3, food safety level 2
I have lots of experience working in creches, having set up and run one, and I also has 2 children of my own. I enjoy gardening, painting with watercolours and all aspects of craft
Tiffany Thorpe – Asst. Early Years Practitioner
My qualifications: NVQ level 2, food safety level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I joined the Teepee in August to help cover team absences so works within all the rooms in the nursery. I am currently working towards my NVQ level 3. I love working with children and spend lots of time babysitting for my family and friends.
Lucie Scollick – Nursery Assistant
My qualifications: Paedeatric First aid
I joined the Tepee at the beginning of 2008. I have always wanted to work with children. I enjoy going to the gym and swimming.
Jane Oakley – Nursery Assistant
My qualifications: Dip pre-school Practice, Paedeatric First aid
I joined The Teepee at the beginning of 2008. I have worked in numerous pre-schools for a great number of years. I have three grown up children and work at The Teepee on an ad hoc basis.
Katie-Jo Woodward – Asst. Early Years Practitioner
My qualifications: NVQ level 2, Paedeatric First aid
I joined The Teepee in 2005, as I did a student placement here and I liked The Teepee so much I decided to stay when qualified. I am an experienced dancer, specialising in Ballroom, Latin and Disco. I am also a keen horse rider. (currently on maternity leave)