Our Team

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Caroline
Manager

I have been working at Springfield Playgroup for over 17 years and have been the Manager for 14 years. I qualified as a Primary School Teacher in 1994 and worked in Year’s 1 and 2 for 5 years before having my own children. My husband and both my children attended Springfield Playgroup so I was delighted to be able to join the team a couple of years after my children started at school.

I am passionate about leading a caring, professional and experienced team who work well together to ensure that every child meets their full potential and is ready for their next journey at school. I really enjoy supporting parents on this journey too, helping them understand how children learn through play, how to develop their child’s speech, to spend time sharing a love of books, to enjoy the outdoors and to encourage their child to become more independent.

I have developed a wealth of experience over these 17 years in various special educational needs and work hard to build strong, trusting relationships with parents as they navigate what may be a slightly different journey for their child than they were expecting.

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Sharon
Deputy Manager & SendCo

I have lived in Upminster since 2002 with my husband and three daughters who are all now in their twenties. All my daughters attended Springfield and had very happy times there. They also made friends that they are still friends with today.

After gaining my N.N.E.B in childcare I worked in a nursery in Newham for nine years and later worked for BT. After working for BT for a few years I returned to working with children.

I have worked at Springfield playgroup for twenty years and have loved every minute of it. The work is so rewarding, no two days are the same. Helping the children to reach their full potential while they have fun, grow in confidence and ability. Springfield isn’t just a playgroup, it’s a family.

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Donna
Early Years Practitioner & ELSA

I have worked in early years settings for over 25 years and have an NNEB qualification. I started as a nanny and then worked in full time nurseries where I worked my way up to become a manager of a nursery within an investment bank. I have gained so much experience along the way working with children from 6mths to 11yrs.

After having my son in 2011 I wanted to be able to be around for him and took a few years out to become a Mum but working with young children is such a passion of mine that I knew I would definitely return to early years.

I was lucky enough to be offered a role at Springfield and joined the team in 2019. I am the ELSA for the pre school and recently completed stage 1 of early Makaton training.

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Nikki
Early Years Practitioner

As a mum of 3, I decided to train as an Early Years Educator when my youngest son attended Springfield Playgroup. Seeing the care, education, and happiness he experienced inspired me to start training to join the team, so I could help other children feel just as supported and cared for during this important stage of their early years journey.

Over the next two years I completed a Level 2 and 3 CACHE Early Years Educator qualification whilst working at Springfield and am proud to have been part of this dedicated team since 2020. I currently specialise in providing 1–2–1 support, focusing on building strong, trusting relationships and tailoring learning to meet individual needs. I am passionate about creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, supported, and able to thrive in their early development.

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Shiralee
Early Years Practitioner

I am a Mum of 2 and both my boys have attended schools in the local area. My childcare journey began while living in Sydney, Australia with a young child. I helped set up and run a playgroup for the expat community. On returning to England I volunteered at a number of the local schools, achieved a Level 2 childcare qualification and have been working at Springfield Playgroup for the past 11 years.

My experience has helped me become a caring and early years practitioner with a passion for supporting young children during these important preschool years, where we focus on creating a safe, nurturing and engaging environment where children feel confident to explore, learn and develop.

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Anne
Early Years Practitioner

With a Level 2 qualification in Childcare, I bring both professional knowledge and real-life experience to my role as a Preschool Assistant. My passion for working with children began when I started as a childminder’s assistant after my youngest child started school, and it has continued to grow ever since.

 As a parent of three, and with a large extended family of nieces and nephews, I have a natural understanding of children’s development and the importance of creating a nurturing, supportive environment where they can thrive.

 Outside of work, I enjoy being active in the community. I help out at a local netball club and play tennis for a local team, which reflects my enthusiasm for teamwork, energy, and encouraging confidence in others.

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Vicky
Early Years Practitioner

I have over 20 years of experience working in education, bringing a wealth of knowledge, care, and dedication to my role. I spent 14 years in a primary school setting as a TA before moving into nursery provision, where I have worked for the past 6 years supporting early childhood development.

For over two years, I have been apart of the Springfield team. Im passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging environment where every child can thrive. I love the warmth and laughter that fills the setting, along with the strong commitment to supporting each child’s social, emotional, physical, and educational development.

I believe Springfield is a truly special place to be, where children are encouraged to grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence every day.

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Natalie
Early Years Practitioner

I have worked at Springfield for over 3 years. Prior to working at Springfield I was a stay at home mum for 8 years to my two boys. During the pandemic I enjoyed home schooling my eldest and knew I wanted to get back into childcare again when both my children were at school. My additional childcare experience includes volunteering in local primary schools, a primary school in Southwark and 5 years working in nurseries with babies and toddlers. I was lucky enough to have both of my children attend Springfield, where I enjoyed the structured calm routines, the care of nurturing experienced ‘Aunties’ in a wonderful setting where they both enjoyed their time and flourished. Once my youngest started school I knew that was where I would love to work.

When a position became available just after my youngest started school, I knew the stars had aligned and that everything happens for a reason and began working here. For me, working with children is definitely more than just a job, it gives me the best job satisfaction; watching the children grow and develop their own little personalities, helping them to discover the world around them, and developing all their skills from activities we plan and provide to them getting them ready for school. I love being part of a team where we make sure that all children and their families feel happy, that they’re well cared for and safe and enjoy their time here.