Our Flying Start Family

I have been with Flying Start since April 2008 and have worked in all areas of the nursery before taking on the Manager's role at the beginning of 2015. I have a Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education and working towards Level 3 in Team Leading and Management, I am one of the nursery SENCOs and share the Designated Safe Guarding Lead with Gemma. I have always been very family orientated and very much believe this is reflected in how I manage Flying Start Nursery. I am very proud of the what we provide at the nursery and look forward to coming to work, seeing the children and working with the team!

I am one of the two pre-school Room Leaders at Flying Start and have been here since August 2013. I am a qualified teacher and I use my qualifications and experience to encourage and develop the children in the pre-school room to get ready and (as importantly) look forward to going to school. There is a fine line between being three years old and needing cuddles and care and being encouraged to find your independence to help you on the next step of the journey. I really enjoy watching the children as they move through pre-school with us. I work part time due to having a family of my own. I am one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads at the setting.

Having worked through my apprenticeship at Flying Start since 2015, I have Level 3 certificate in Early Years Education and Childcare. I am currently running the Hedgehog Room but have a good knowledge of all ages. I really enjoy the many opportunities we have to get out and about in the local community and the children really love it too!

I joined Flying Start in March 2019 and have really enjoyed getting to know the children during lunch times and cookery sessions. I have been working in kitchens for over 20 years with a couple of breaks to raise my own children. I have experience working in school kitchens as well as various others kitchens. During my cooking career I have maintained and gained high food hygiene ratings - we're a five star kitchen here!

Hello. I joined Flying Start Nursery in the March of 2021 after finishing my A-Levels to work towards my Level 3. Having lots of of experience with my three younger sibling, I have developed a passion for working with children. Because of this passion, I became inspired to become a playground buddy when I was in year 6 working mostly with reception student and I also did my year 10 work experience working with year 1 and 3 students at Fairford Primary School so have already had experience with a range of different age ranges. Since joining Flying Start I have been based mostly with the babies and toddlers and have been enjoying playing a part in their early years journey and I'm looking forward to helping them move swiftly up to pre-school and school happily and confidently.

Hi, I am Kirsty. I have been part or the Flying Start family since April 2022. I am a qualified level 3 early years practitioner and a level 4 teaching assistant. I have a keen interest in SEN (Special Educational Needs) an share the SENCO role with Janet. I work in the baby room with our little hedgehogs. I enjoy helping the children grow from babies to independent toddlers with their own personalities.

Hi, I am Jess. I joined the Flying Start family in September 2022 after relocating from Bristol. I worked at my previous setting for 8 years. I have a level 3 in childcare but the learning doesn't stop there. I have training on Makaton, Forest school, Outdoor education and plenty of experience with a wide range of ages. I have a passion for being outdoors (with many weekend trips in my campervan) and love exploring the world around us with the children while at nursery.

Hi, I'm Felicity. I worked at Flying Start as bank staff for a number of years while I was studying other things. After a short break, I quickly realised that childcare is where I want to be and started my Level 3. I am now back at Flying Start and am excited to finish my qualification where my journey all began.

Hello, I joined flying start nursery in February 2023 after working with horses for a year. I have had experience with children when looking after my cousins etc. I have a photography business on the sideline which really helps me be creative and imaginative when it comes to activities with the children. I absolutely love being outdoors which is why I love taking the children on trips and playing outdoors. I also love art which I love to use when creating images of animals or creating fun things for the kids to do. I love being the youngest member of staff at the nursery because I learn so much from others and gain lots of experience from them, and love being part of a family.

A reserved sort so we had to write this for her! Pam is a mum and a granny with years of experience with children. Pam mainly covers staff lunches and shares her passion of books and puzzles with the children during “quiet time”. She is very popular with the children that leave us to go to school each year as she sees them around Fairford or on their way to school!

Hi, I'm Wendy and have joined Flying Start to try and make sense of the place when everybody goes home - its not easy!!

The nursery has been part of our lives since Harriet our daughter (now 16!) joined when the nursery first opened. William (or Bill as he is now known) joined two years later and the next year we bought Flying Start. It truly is a family nursery as everybody is involved, Pam is our real 'Granny' and so many of the fabulous team that make up Flying start have been with us for such a large part of the journey - we love them all!