Our Staff

Louise joined the team in September 2013. She has always been involved with the Playgroup through her 3 son's who attended over the past 5 years. Louise has helped out many times in the Playgroup with the day to day running and has a natural talent with reassuring children when they start, helping them develop to their full potential. She has just completed her NVQ level 3 in Child Care Learning and Development, First Aid, Safe Guarding Children level 4 and Food Hygiene. Louise has recently taken on the role of Equality and Diversity officer within the setting. Louise has taken the role of Playleader in November 2019. Louise shares the role of Special Educational Needs coordinator with the Playleader and has attained level 3 in Safe Guarding Children working with and supporting the Playleader in this role. Louise became Manager in September 2021 and now manages the setting on a daily basis, liasing with  the team and parents. Louise has attained a vast knowledge in SEN through training and experience over the past 3 years.

Laura Thomas - Play Assistant

Laura successfully joined our team of staff in February 2017. Laura has always had a keen passion to work with children and is very dedicated to their care and welfare. She has prior experience working with children with wide variety of ages. Laura has attained her Level 2 & 3 Childcare Learning and Development. She supported the Playleader with the day to day running of the setting. Since joining us she has attained his Safeguarding Level 2 and Food Hygiene certificate. In September 2021 Laura was appointed the role of Playleader supporting the Manager in the day to running and child development, liasing with parents. Laura shares the role of Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) with the Playleader, and Child Protection Officer with the Manger. Currently on Maternity leave and due to return between May/ September 2024.

Aimee is a highly experienced member of the team. She has worked in various child-care settings and has supported children of all developmental stages, attaining a vast amount of experience. Aimee joined First Steps Playgroup in the summer holidays 2016, working in our school holiday club. She has 2 boys who have both attended the playgroup. She has completed her NVQ level 3 in Childcare, Learning & Development, she has also completed her Paediatric First Aid, Food hygiene & Safeguarding level 2. Aimee has held the role of  designated Health and Safety Officer. She has recently returned in November 2021 after taking maternity leave. In April 2024 Aimee has taken on the temporary role of Play Leader supporting the Manager in the day to day running of the setting. Aimee has attained a vast knowledge in child care over the past 8 years with us and has done numerous training courses in childcare development.

Kiani joined us in March 2023, having worked in various other childcare settings over the past 7 years. During this period she  attained her diplomas levels 2 & 3 in childcare learning and Development, as well as food hygiene, Safeguarding and Paediatric first aid training.  Kiani  has over the years worked with various aged Children and thoroughly enjoys supporting and nurturing them in their learning and development. 

Ana-Cecilia Lawrence – Ana has been a Volunteer since 2011, attending 3 days per week throughout the year, whilst enrolling on the Childcare Learning and Development Level 3 course. She completed this in November, 2011. On 5th October 2015 Ana-Cecilia successfully applied for a position at the setting and has since become a welcomed addition to our team. She has a passion to work with young children to support their development and further their learning. Ana has also attained her Safeguarding awareness level 2 and Food Hygiene. Ana left us in 2018 to join her family abroad and has returned to us in September 2021. 

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 Foudation Degree in Early Years Childhood studies to attain her level 5. Lauren states " Iwas 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 Step”. She is also a qualified Paediatric First Aider , level 2 Safeguarding children and food hygiene. Lauren has now Taken on a temporary role of clubs leader in April 2024.

Jeanette first became involved with the group in 1996, when her daughters attended the group. She became Treasurer in 1998 and applied successfully for the position of Clerical Assistant.  In 2002 she successfully completed her IPP (Introduction to Pre-school Practice) qualification and then split her time working on administration and working with the children.  In February 2003 she started her training on the DPP (Diploma in Pre-school Practice) and then in January 2004 took the offered promotion of Play leader.  Jeanette’s training whilst at the group has involved, First Aid. child development including planning and observations, Early years Foundation stage, and Child Protection level 3. Specialist courses such as , BSA level A & B, Autism, ADHD, Disability awareness, Inclusion and many more that are displayed in our lobby area. In September 2008 Jeanette was offered and accepted the position of Manager. She has  completed her NVQ Level 5 in Leadership and Management, in 2010. In September 2021 she stepped down her role as Manger and has now taken the role of Administrator and  still manages the Holiday club.

Bianca attended First Steps herself (then known as St James Community Playgroup), back in 1996. Ever since then she has had strong ties with the setting. Bianca the became a member of Banking staff in 2009 after completing her full time education, she knew she had a strong passion to care for younger children and in January 2013 completed her NVQ level 2 & 3 in Childcare Learning and Development. Since joining us she has so far attained her Paediatric First Aid and Safe Guarding Children Level 3. Bianca has recently completed various training days, such as Food Hygiene, Tackling Domestic Violence, Supporting children's emotional wellbeing, Education in Early Years and supporting Special Educational Needs in the Early Years. She is also our Deputy Safe Guarding Officer. Bianca successfully attained the role of Playleader in October 2015, but no longer works a a regular team member since extending her family but she has returned to us as banking staff.