Our Staff

Louise Smith - Manager 

Louise joined the team in September 2013. Louise's three children attended in recent years.

Louise has volunteered many times in the Playgroup and has a natural talent, reassuring and supporting children to develop to their full potential. Louise holds various qualifications, including NVQ Level 3 in Child Care Learning and Development, First Aid, Safe Guarding Children Level 4, Level 3 Safeguarding and Food Hygiene. 

Louise accepted the Playleader role in November 2019 and became Manager in September 2021. Louise is Equality and Diversity officer and is our Special Educational Needs coordinator. Louise has attained a vast knowledge in SEN through training and experience within the playgroup. 

Laura Thomas - Play Leader

Laura successfully joined First Steps in February 2017. Laura has always had a keen passion to work with children and is very dedicated to their care and welfare. Laura has previous experience working with children.

Qualifications include Level 2 & 3 Childcare Learning and Development, Safeguarding Level 2 and Food Hygiene certificate.
Laura shares the role of Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) with the Playleader and Child Protection Officer with Louise. 

Aimee Moulder - Play Assistant

Aimee is a highly experienced member of the team. She has worked in various childcare settings and has supported children of all developmental stages, Aimee joined First Steps Playgroup in the summer of 2016, supporting our  holiday club.
Aimee's two children both attended the playgroup.

Qualifications include NVQ level 3 in Childcare, Learning & Development, Paediatric First Aid, Food Hygiene & Safeguarding Level 2.

Corinne Barnett

Corinne started working at First Steps in September 2025. Corinne started out working with animals, dogs to be more specific. As Corinne's three children started school, she decided she would like to follow a new career path.

Alongside working at First Steps, Corinne attends college one day a week to achieve a Level 3 in Early Years.

Ana-Cecilie Lawrence (Anita) - Play Assistant

Ana has been a Volunteer since 2011, volunteering three days per week throughout the year, whilst enrolling on the Childcare Learning and Development Level 3 course. She completed the course in November 2011. 

Ana has also attained her Safeguarding awareness level 2 and Food Hygiene.

In October 2015 Ana-Cecilia successfully applied for a vacancy and has since become a welcomed addition to our team. She is passionate about supporting young children's development and encouraging learning. Anita enjoys cooking and creative activities with the children, encouraging their imagination, confidence and love of learning.

Anita is a native Spanish speaker and also speaks English. 

Anita left us in 2018 to join her family abroad and returned to First Steps in September 2021. We were delighted to welcome Anita back to the team.

Lauren Andrews - Play Assistant/ Clubs Leader

Lauren is a Level 5 qualified practitioner, having studed her level 3 qualification at Exete College and then furthering her education at the college by completing her Foundation Degree in Early Years Childhood studies to attain her level 5. 

Lauren states " I was very fortunate to find employment with First Steps shortly after graduating and  had two years developing myself and my confidence as a practitioner before flying the nest and moving to Brighton for two years. Coming back to Devon there was only one setting I wanted to be at and luckily I was invited back with open arms to continue my journey as a practitioner, here at First Steps”. 

Lauren is also a qualified Paediatric First Aider and holds Level 2 Safeguarding and Food Hygiene.  

Lucy Northcote - Play Assistant

Lucy first joined First Steps in 2013, when she accrued a vast knowledge through training courses , developing her knowledge and skills in childcare.  

Qualilifications include NVQ level 3 in Childcare, Learning & Development, Paediatric first aid, Safeguarding Awareness
Level 2. 

Lucy left us for a short time to spend time with her two children, returning in January 2024 and has naturally settled back into her role as Play Assistant/Key person.

Mikaela Lashbrook - Play Assistant

Mikaela joined the First Steps team in 2025.

Mikaela has gained her Level 3 in Childare & Development whilst having a break to have a family. She comes with a wealth of knowledge and adopts a nuturing practice to enable children to reach their full potential before leaving school.

Tori Holley - Play Assistant

Tori first joined First Steps as a child, so the playgroup has always held a special place in Tori's heart.
Returning years later to begin an Apprenticeship has made the experience even more meaningful.

Tori is currently developing skills and confidence through hands-on experience and training, while supporting children in their early years development each day. Tori feels very proud to be part of the same playgroup that once played such an important part in her own childhood.

Andrea Aggett - Administrator

Andrea has many years of admin experience. Andrea worked for Stoke Hill Federation, for six years, as an office administrator. before joining First Steps in January 2026.

Andrea was part of the First Steps Committee from 2013 to 2016, initially as Playgroup Secretary and then Vice Chair, whilst her youngest daughter attended the group.

Andrea assists with the day to day running of the playgroup, by providing admin support on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday (during the term time).