The Village Preschool E17

Julia studied Sociology and Education at Northeastern University, USA and received a BSc and Masters in the Art of Teaching. She has been a classroom teacher for over 12 years and held Middle and Senior leadership positions in her Early Years, State Primary, Private and International Schools.

Julia is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A but married a Brit and found her way to E17. She has three children all of which in schools and early years settings in Walthamstow.

Julia says "I am having an amazing time at The Village Preschool and I am looking forward to my continued journey here with the team, children and wonderful families that join us. I know all of the children and their families will thoroughly enjoy the experience and I look forward to meeting you all."

Beth trained as a Level 3 Practitioner after her children were in high school, formerly working in the Insurance Sector in the city.

She was responsible for bringing Forest School to the setting and qualified in 2017 as a Forest School Practitioner - she brings so much passion to engaging children in the outdoors, whatever the weather and was recently promoted to Deputy Head after 8 years of working at the preschool. She plays a big role in the pastoral care of the staff and the families who attend the setting and
was born and raised in Waltham Forest and is a mum to three adult men.

She says "I love working here. Most of us have worked together for many years and lots of the families come back to us with each child so there really is a sense of community and belonging. You could go so far as to call it a family."

Ailsa joined The Village Preschool E17 in 2022. Ailsa is a qualified teacher and has been working in Waltham Forest Schools for the past three years. Prior to this, she spent many years in the Hospital and Home Teaching Service where she worked with the most vulnerable children across the borough who were unable to attend school due to medical conditions.

Ailsa is originally from Glasgow and moved to Walthamstow in 1999, she is married and has two daughters.

Ailsa is "passionate about special needs and ensuring families are able to access the support they are entitled to. I believe that all children, regardless of their needs and abilities, can learn from each other and I am excited about embracing and encouraging inclusion at The Village Preschool E17".

Both my daughters attended the preschool, and I was part of the Management Committee before training as an Early Years Practitioner and joining the team in 2018.

Indra is a qualified Forest School Lead, taking charge of the learning and activities each week. Indra also has a passion for creative play and often brings her characters into the classroom to develop learning.

Born in Lithuania, Indra now lives in Walthamstow with her husband and two daughters.

"Like Vincent Van Gogh once said ‘The best way to know life is to love many things and that is what I have found here, excellent staff and wonderful children."

Hello! I'm Emma, a passionate and dedicated Early Years Teacher with a lifelong dream of shaping young minds. I proudly hold a Bachelor of Education Degree (Primary), specialising in Literacy, which I earned in Canberra, Australia.

During my degree, I immersed myself in various educational environments, including working in a nursery and diverse settings focused on children under the age of five. These experiences provided me with invaluable insights into child development and the important stages of early childhood. I was honoured to be promoted to the role of Room Lead for Toddlers during this time, which allowed me to lead and support their growth.

Seeking further experience, I expanded my teaching career in a local Catholic school, where I taught Year One and Reception classes. Additionally, I had the privilege of overseeing extension and enrichment programs for gifted and talented children. This opportunity deepened my commitment to providing personalised and enriching educational experiences.

London became my home in 2014, and since then, I have continued to enhance my expertise in both state and independent schools. In North London, I embraced the role of Lower School Coordinator, where I oversaw teaching and learning from Reception up to Year 2. Recently, I had the privilege of serving as the Acting Head of Nursery at a leading independent Montessori nursery in West London.

I believe in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, respected, and inspired to explore their potential. Through a play-based approach and personalised learning, I strive to ignite a lifelong love for learning in each child. I am dedicated to fostering their intellectual, social, and emotional growth, preparing them for a bright future.

I am excited to continue making a positive impact on young learners' lives and contributing to The Village Preschool's educational journey.

Millie has several years of experience in early childhood education. Her knowledge and dedication to young learners have made her a valuable asset in previous settings. She will be taking on the role of 2 Year Old Lead, ensuring that our youngest children continue to receive the best foundational start to their educational journey. I am confident the two-year-olds will continue to receive amazing experiences.

Uzma has been at the setting since 2009 and is one of the most loved key workers year after year.

She loves music and singing and applies this passion when working with the children.

Ani is a newly qualified Early Years Practitioner. Despite her recent qualification, she has already amassed valuable experience in previous settings, showcasing her dedication and passion for early childhood education. Her fresh
insights, combined with her hands-on experience, make her a promising addition to our community. We look forward to the creative approaches and enthusiasm she will bring
to our preschool.

I'm Ellada, an experienced Early Years Practitioner with a deep passion for nurturing and supporting the growth of young minds. With 10 years of hands-on experience in early childhood education, I am dedicated to creating a positive and stimulating learning environment that fosters a love for lifelong learning.

My teaching philosophy revolves around the belief that children learn best through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. I am a firm advocate of child-led learning, tailoring my approach to meet the unique needs and interests of each child. By creating a warm, inclusive, and safe environment, I empower children to take risks, express themselves, and develop a strong sense of self-worth.

I plan and implement engaging activities that stimulate cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth.
I create personalised learning plans for each child, considering their strengths, interests, and developmental milestones.

I conduct regular observations and assessments to track each child's progress and provide valuable feedback to parents & caregivers and I actively involve parents and caregivers in their child's learning journey, providing regular communication, workshops, and resources to support their involvement.

Simone graduated from Business School in Denmark before moving to Walthamstow 20 years ago.

She has worked in the travel sector in marketing and customer relations for many years before making a move into Charity Fundraising. During this time she found her passion for accountancy and has pursued a qualification in this area.

Simone brings a wealth of experience and has fantastic ideas for the growth and development of The Village Preschool E17. She has two young children who are in primary school in the borough.

"I am so excited to be part of the team here. The setting is truly something unique and the passion for outdoor learning is something I wish my children had access to in their early years. I can't wait to put The Village Preschool E17 on the map."

*** Currently on maternity leave ***
Sofia joined The Village Preschool E17 upon the completion of her Level 3 Practitioner qualification in January 2021.

Sofia speaks fluent Portuguese and English.

"Seeing the children overcome challenges and succeed in new experiences makes me enjoy my role."