Meet the Team
We have a fantastic group of experienced,
qualified and dedicated professional staff
When your child starts at Pre-School they will be given a Key Person from amongst the staff team. This person helps them to settle-in, getting to know their likes and interests, attending to their personal care needs and being a link for your family and Pre-School. The Key Person will carefully record your child’s development and progress to make sure that within the group your child’s social, emotional and learning needs are met.
If you would like to arrange to meet the team, please contact us
Tracey Edwards
Playgroup Leader and Lead Practitioner
(Diploma in Pre-school Practice and Level 4 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development)
Tracey joined Blewbury Pre-School as an Assistant Playleader in 1995, moving on quickly to the role of lead Early Years Professional and Play Leader. Tracey is married with two grown up children and two grandchilden. She has previously worked in the care sector and is also a trained chef! In her spare time, Tracey is a keen gardener who grows her own fruit and vegetables both at home and with children and families at Pre-school. Tracey enjoys spending time with her family and visiting her folks in the North.
Tracey has an NVQ Level 4 in Children’s Care and Education and a Diploma in Playgroup Practice. She is the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, the lead Safeguarding Officer and has attended courses on Phonics, Behaviour Management and Curriculum Planning, and has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and how children learn. Tracey is a trained Paediatric First Aider, including anaphylaxis training. Tracey’s favourite thing about working with children is seeing each one develop their confidence and enjoy their time at Pre-School.
Sharon Phillips
Deputy Playgroup Leader
(Level 3 Early Years Childcare and Education and Level 4 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development)
Sharon came to Blewbury Pre-School as an Assistant Playleader in 2000, becoming Deputy Playleader a few years later. Sharon is married with two grown up children, and lots of guinea pigs! She has previously worked in human resources in the NHS. In her spare time, Sharon plays the piano and organ and runs the church choir.
Sharon has an NVQ Level 4 in Children’s Care and Education, NVQ 3 in Early Years Care and Education and the Certificate in Playgroup Practice. She has attended specialist training in Safeguarding Children, is the Equal Opportunities Co-Ordinator, and has experience in working with children with additional needs.
Sharon is a trained Paediatric First Aider including anaphylaxis training. Sharon has attended Phonics training, Behaviour Management and has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and how children learn.
Sharon’s favourite thing about working with children is to make learning fun so that they are happy and reach their potential with us.
Kirsty Cheswick
Assistant Playleader
(NVQ3 in Early Years’ Care and Education)
Kirsty joined Blewbury Pre-School as an Assistant Playleader in 2015, after having spent over 21 years in the Daycare sector. Kirsty is married with three boys and two dogs which keep her out of mischief! In her spare time, Kirsty loves baking and we have been fortunate to be the recipients of many scrumptious cakes. Kirsty enjoys different types of craft at home and also shares her crafting skills with the children at Pre-School. Kirsty spends many happy hours caring for Scarlett and Maisie, her two dogs.
Kirsty has an NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education, is a trained Paediatric First Aider including anaphylaxis training. She has attended many courses including Safeguarding Children and has an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and how children learn.
The most rewarding part of Kirsty’s job is seeing children make progress with their learning and knowing that she is part of their achievements.
Sarah Penny
Staff Cover
Sarah began working at Blewbury Pre-School to provide cover for staff in September 2017. She is married with four children, ranging from 5 to 21 years of age, and loves spending time with her family.
Sarah is always on the go, as she also works in the Midwifery Unit at Wallingford Hospital and loves being able to care for mums and babies on the ward. She also has dogs, cats, rabbits and tortoises, so life is never dull!
Sarah loves her work at Pre-School and her favourite things are getting to know the children and watching them blossom into happy little characters. Sarah is familiar with all our Policies and Procedures, particularly Safeguarding Children, and has undertaken her Induction Training.
Stephanie Coventry - INCLUSION SUPPORT WORKER
Stephanie has been at Blewbury Pre-School since September 2022. Stephanie joined us from a Primary School in Bicester where she had been working as a Teaching Assistant predominately
working one to one with children with SEN. She is married with 7 year old
twins, 3 dogs and a cat so is always busy! In her spare time she likes cooking,
reading and spending time with her family. Stephanie has a keen interest in all areas of
Special Educational Needs and always wants to learn more. She has completed her
level 2 SEND course and is currently doing a level 2 course in Understanding
Autism. Stephanie loves to work with children, to watch them grow and flourish.
Safeguarding
Blewbury Pre-School is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We undertake rigorous checks on all staff and committee members who help in our
Pre-School and maintain a central record documenting these. Staff and committee members involved in recruitment and selection of employees are trained in safer recruitment.
Tracey Edwards, Playleader, is our Designated Safeguarding Lead and should be the first point of contact for any concerns around safeguarding and child protection. Our Deputy Safeguarding Lead is Sharon Phillips. Both are available in Pre-School or by phone on
01235 851786.
All other members of staff have undertaken Generalist Safeguarding training.
As part of our role to safeguard the children in our setting, please be aware that we have a duty to share information with other agencies where there are any concerns about the safety or well-being of a child.
Our safeguarding policy is available on request from Pre-School.
If you are concerned about a child’s welfare out of Pre-School, please speak to either Tracey Edwards or Sharon Phillips, or contact the Oxfordshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0345 050 7666.