Kids Love Nature wouldn’t be where it is today without the support from our amazing staff. Each and every one of our staff members have an obvious passion for teaching children and understand the importance of our educational approach.
Our managers make sure that each child is inspired by what they learn, whilst also assisting the rest of the team in the daily running of the kindergarten. Here’s a little more about our Managers…
Avon Heath
Gaby has been our Avon Heath forest kindergarten Manager for over a year now, but has been working with Kids Love Nature since 2014 after starting off as an Early Years Practitioner.
Gaby’s favourite things about the Avon Heath kindergarten are;
Setting - the kindergarten is located within 600 acres of protected heathland at the Avon Heath Country Park.
Opportunities to learn - being surrounded by nature allows children to learn more about the environment and teaches freedom, independence and creativity.
Wildlife - children get the chance to see different animals every day and develop their skills about the species around us.
“I am passionate about supporting children's mental health and well-being. Spending time in nature enhances the children’s understanding of mindfulness, as they are provided with time and space to explore our beautiful surroundings.” - Gaby
Lymington
Felicity has been with Kids Love Nature since the opening of the Lymington Kindergarten back in 2013.
Felicity’s favourite things about the Lymington kindergarten are;
The connection with nature means that children learn how to become emotionally literate, giving them the ability to understand others feelings as well as their own. It builds their self awareness and allows them to stay calm.
The pigs… of course! - It’s impossible not to love the resident pigs that live on the farm at the kindergarten. Timon and Pumbaa have a special place in all the children (and staff’s) hearts.
Marwell Zoo
Hayley has also been working with Kids Love Nature as the Manager since the Marwell kindergarten opened in 2016.
“The most important skill a child can learn is definitely independence. Being able to apply this skill in everyday life allows them to move onwards and upwards in their learning and help them to believe in their own abilities which essentially, contributes hugely to their overall wellbeing.”
“My favourite thing about the Marwell Kindergarten has got to be all the wonderful teachers. They are the most dedicated, hardworking and inspiring teachers I have ever known and are what makes the kindergarten a joy to work in everyday. Being situated within Marwell Zoo is incredible, for the children to be able to learn about all the animals around the zoo and really get up close and personal to them is amazing and makes every day a little different.”
Durlston
Tracey has managed the Durlston Kindergarten since January 2017 but has worked with Kids Love Nature since April 2016.
“My favourite thing at Durlston kindergarten is the location of the setting. It is a stunning country park that is explored daily by the children of the kindergarten. I love seeing the children laughing, playing and discovering new things.”
Self-confidence and a belief in themselves and what they do is what Tracey believes is the most important thing a child can learn.
“Being outdoors and amongst nature is so important to children because it enhances learning through observing the world around them.”
LytchetT Minster
Our newest kindergarten at Lytchett Minster opened at the beginning of September 2018 and we recently hired our Kindergarten Manager, Teri.
Having worked in local Nurseries for the last 25 years, Teri completed her Degree in Early Years Education whilst managing the university nursery. With a particular interest in the Kids Love Nature approach, Teri loves to support a creative and reflective approach to teaching and learning, putting the children first and embracing the outdoors whenever possible. Always keen to develop her skills, Teri is very inspired by the Reggio teaching method and has attended the International conference and training in Reggio Emilia.
We are very excited to have Teri on board at Kids Love Nature and can't wait to see our newest forest kindergarten develop.
Want to arrange a kindergarten visit with one of our Managers?
If you are considering enrolling your child at a kindergarten in the near future, it’s important to arrange a visit and speak to the manager.
Visits to our kindergartens can be arranged simply be getting in touch here.