Staff at Treetops
Setting Director and Manager: Laura Ley
SENCO Director: Nicky Summersby
Non-Exec Director: Jackie Colby
Laura Ley
Setting Director, Manager & Early Years Practitioner
I have been involved with the preschool since my eldest daughter started in 2003; I became an active member of the parent committee and saw my other two children also make their way through the preschool. In 2007 I joined the staff team primarily in a business role leading the day to day running of Treetops. This led me on to completing two diplomas in the Childrens and Young Peoples development followed by a Leadership & Management foundation degree. I feel very privileged to be a part of Treetops preschool and out of schools clubs as it's an amazing provision that we are all very proud of. In August 2017 I became the CIC Setting Director and Manager, a role I enjoy very much as it gives me the best of both worlds, spending time with the children and supporting their families plus office based tasks. At Treetops we have a great committed staff team all of which bring something different to the setting. The strong team along with myself are excited for the future as we build on what we have already achieved. I have also completed my level 5 in Early Years and Management and am also the Senior Designated level 3 Safeguarding Officer for the setting.I feel very passionate about early years and how we, as parents and practitioners should give our children the best start and as many play opportunities as we can offer them to support their learning and journey into formal education.
Nicky Summersby
Preschool Leader, Director & SENCO
Since becoming involved with Treetops as a parent helper/committee member back in 2008! I never really realised what a Preschool was all about. Realising very quickly how much the children gain from a nurturing environment and seeing their confidence grow made me realise that I wanted to learn more. Choosing not to go back to my previous career, after I had my two children. I began volunteering in June 2009 to enable me to do my NVQ 2 in Children's Care Learning and Development, which then led onto my CCLD Level 3 which I completed June 2011. In September 2011 I also gained my Level 3 in Play work. I now work across all the services as a senior practitioner but with a keen interest and many years of experience in Special Educational Needs I also started my Level 5 in Early Years advanced practice in 2016. In August 2017 I became the Preschool leader within the new CIC structure. I aim to support the staff in their roles and also lead the SEN area of the setting. I am also a Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Officer. Now I look back and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Being part of Treetops is a massive privilege working with a team that is passionate about nurturing and giving every child the best possible start in life.
Jackie Butler
Early Years Practitioner & Playworker
I have been working with children since 2006 as a private nanny before joining Treetops as a Preschool Assistant in 2007. One of the reasons I love working in childcare is because every child is different! Working with children and families alike is extremely rewarding and it's great to see the impact that I can have on a child's journey and development whilst at Treetops. Since being at Treetops I have undertaken some great training experiences such as completing my Levels 2 & 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development, gained my Level 3 Playwork qualification as well as a Level 1 Makaton qualification that I completed during lockdown. This has been a vital tool to have as a support for our SEN area of Treetops. I work as a Senior Room Leader across all of our services, plan the holidays clubs and lead these when preschool is closed. I also run the Baby and Toddler Group session on a Thursday morning in the village hall attached to Treetops. This has been a great opportunity for me as I've met so many different families and children, offering support and guidance alongside planning different weekly themed activities which allows the children to explore and experience messy play, music, story sacks and much more. More recently I have undertaken training with Action for Children and became a Building Babies Brains Champion! For me, Treetops is a special place! It's been a nurturing and loving provision for both of my children through Preschool, and they still love coming along to after school clubs and holiday club sessions whenever they can!
Catherine Goff
Playworker
This is my ninth year at Treetops working primarily at After School Club and I thoroughly enjoy it. Treetops is a wonderful place and the staff and children make it a fun place to be. We have lots of activities during after school club and I particularly enjoy any arts and crafts sessions. Before coming to Treetops I ran a Tumble Tots franchise up in Cheshire. Over the week we had 27 classes with on average 450 children attending each week. It was an active and exciting job. The After School club at Treetops is just as exciting and the children's enthusiasm and energy is infectious. I have completed my Level 3 Playwork qualification which supports me in my role at Treetops. I am also the settings Health and Safety Officer.
Natalie Ralph
Early Years Practitioner
I started working in childcare when I was 18 after completing my level 3 National Diploma at Tavistock college. I took a break after having my first child in 2013 afterwhich I went and worked with the elderly in a dementia care unit. After having my second child I knew I wanted to get back into childcare but never took the plunge until January 2021 when the opportunity came to join the team at Treetops. Getting back into Early Years has been wonderful in every sense and has given me many different opportunities to develop my knowledge. Providing a nurturing, stimulating experience to every child and giving them best possible start in life is why I enjoy working here.
Lorraine Beeley
Early Years Practitioner
I’m Lorraine, mum of two grown up daughters. I have been working in Early Years Childcare since 2007 where I gained my levels 2 and 3 CCLD Diplomas. I joined Treetops in 2014 primarily for Breakfast Club but soon found myself working working across all of the services. I love being a part of the Treetops team where I feel we all have something different to bring to each child, giving them a super start in enhancing their learning and development through lots of fun and play opportunities.
Charlotte Reddaway
Early Years Practitioner
Treetops Preschool & Extended Schools Provision CIC is located next to the Village Hall at the top of Pool Hill in Bridestowe near Okehampton and sits on the edge of Dartmoor based in West Devon. The surrounding villages and local area feed the preschool with children but with our very good Ofsted report, great facilities and very experienced staff team we also have and welcome children and families from much further a field.