Alexandra House

I am the Operations Manager of Alexandra House, and I bring over 20 years of experience managing early years settings across the Plymouth area. Throughout my career, I have remained deeply committed to providing high-quality, nurturing, safe and inclusive childcare where every child feels valued, confident and inspired to learn.

A central part of my role is honouring and strengthening the rich heritage of Alexandra House. Established in 1839, the charity has supported families for generations, and I am entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding and developing this legacy for the future. I work closely with our Board of Trustees to ensure the long-term sustainability, integrity and continued growth of the charity, carefully balancing respect for our history with forward-thinking leadership.

I firmly believe that exceptional Early Years provision begins with a supported and empowered team. I am passionate about creating an environment where both staff and the children in our care can thrive and grow, fostering a culture built on care, professionalism and continuous development.

I hold a Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management, a Level 4 qualification in Children’s Care, Learning and Development, and an A1 Assessor qualification. My experience and dedication enable me to lead with confidence and ensure that Alexandra House continues to uphold the highest standards of care and educational excellence for generations to come.

I have over 18 years of experience in childcare, having worked in nurseries across Manchester before relocating to Plymouth. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to delivering high-quality childcare and creating nurturing, safe, and inspiring environments where children can thrive.

I hold a Level 5 qualification in Early Years and a Level 4 qualification in SENDCO, which have strengthened my knowledge and leadership in inclusive practice and early years education. For over 10 years, I have worked in leadership roles as a Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), ensuring the highest standards of care, safeguarding, and compliance.

I have been the Manager at Alex House for the past year and a half, where I continue to lead with passion, integrity, and a strong focus on team development. My passion has always been to provide outstanding early years education, foster a safe and supportive environment for children, parents, and staff, and design a meaningful, engaging curriculum. I am dedicated to building a confident, caring team who share the same commitment to giving every child the very best start in life.

I have over 25 years of experience working in childcare and early years education. I hold a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and the Level 3 SENDCo Award, and I am currently working towards my Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management.

Since joining Alex House in September 2024, I have supported the setting as Deputy Manager and SENDCo, leading inclusive practice and supporting children with additional needs. I am also the Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) and have completed extensive safeguarding training, ensuring the highest standards of care and protection for all children.

I am passionate about creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

I’m Sherri and can be seen in and around the Nursery. I’ve worked within education for over 20 years.

I joined Alexandra House almost 4 years ago as a casual to help out. I love to see our children achieve and their confidence grow as we encourage them to blossom into inquisitive young children.

Alongside my administration duties and having fun with the children, I can be found supporting my colleagues teaching First Aid, Safeguarding and First Aid for Mental Health.

I love being part of Team Alex House; no two days are the same.

Hello, my name is Sarah, I am level 3 qualified, and I am the room lead of the toddler room. I have been in childcare for a total of 18 years, but I have been at Alex's House for a total of 12 years. I have a great passion for childcare, and it's amazing to be part of their early years adventure. We thrive on creating the best opportunities throughout many areas of their development and ensuring they are happy, loved and feel safe. We have a great parent partnership within our room and even more so with our children, and we encourage parent involvement as and when we can. We provide the chance to get out and about for extracurricular activities and lots of other activities such as baking, litter picking and much more. The Ladybirds team are an enthusiastic and close team, and we can't wait to welcome you into our room. We look forward to meeting one day.

Hello, my name is Nicole, and I am a passionate level 3 Early Years practitioner who truly loves my job. I work in the toddler room as a Deputy Room Leader, which suits me perfectly because I enjoy working with the younger children the most and love being part of their learning and development. I take pride in creating a safe, caring, and fun environment where the children feel happy and supported every day. I love watching them grow in confidence and personality, and it makes me proud to know I play a part in their early years. I also appreciate the team I work with, and I genuinely love all of the staff, as we support each other and work together to provide the best care possible.

Hi, my name is Sherrily, and I have worked at Alexandra House for the past eight years. During this time, I have achieved my Level 3 qualification in Early Years and have developed a strong passion for supporting young children in their learning and development.

Over the years, I have gained valuable experience working with children with Special Educational Needs, which has strengthened my understanding of inclusive practice and the importance of tailoring support to meet each child’s individual needs. I have been a keyworker to many children, building strong, trusting relationships and supporting their progress across all areas of development.

I pride myself on my ability to communicate effectively with parents and carers, ensuring they feel informed, supported, and involved in their child’s early years journey. I am first aid trained, which enables me to respond confidently and appropriately in any situation, always prioritising children’s safety and wellbeing.

I am a very caring practitioner who strives to create a calm yet exciting environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn through play. I am always willing to learn, take part in further training courses, and develop my professional skills. I also enjoy being creative in my practice, planning engaging activities that capture children’s interests and promote curiosity.

I am deeply committed to providing high-quality care and education, and I continue to approach my role with enthusiasm, dedication, and a genuine love for working with children.

My name is Kayleigh, and I am a level 3 qualified and started in childcare in 2020. After my maternity leave, I joined Alex's house in May 2022, where I work in the toddler room with the best team around me. I love being a part of the children’s learning journey and watching them grow in confidence. Building special bonds with my key children is important to me, and seeing the children smile, laugh and build friendships is what I love about my job.

Hello, my name is Anne-Marie. I am a level 3 practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the Early Years Foundation Stage. (EYFS). I am permanently based in our wonderful Ladybird room.

I am a brilliant team member and have a strong relationship with my fellow practitioners. I am very proud to be a part of this amazing team. I have a good relationship with both children and their parents.

I am a very happy and active member of staff. I live to watch our toddlers grow and thrive with confidence, becoming independent with everyday life skills. Watching them develop their own personality and build strong friendships with their peers.

Hey, my name is Cody. I have worked in the childcare sector for six years, and a year of my experience has been at Alex House in the Ladybird room. I am a Level 3 qualified Early Years Practitioner and enjoy every second I spend in my role, knowing that every day is always different. Putting a smile on the children's faces is the highlight of my day! Watching the children's imaginations run free during their play, as well as their developmental progress, is such a magical and rewarding experience to be a part of. The team I work with is amazing, and I really couldn't imagine myself anywhere else!

Hi, my name is Sian, and I am a caring and passionate level 3 early years practitioner. I have been in childcare for 24 years, and I have loved every minute of it. I have been at Alexandra house since September 2021, and I am The Bumblebee’s room leader.
I love working with my pre-school children as every day is different and exciting, being part of the early years development and watching the children achieve the massive to the smallest milestones makes me beam with pride. I really believe that if you love what you do, it makes the work you do easy.

Everyone in Alexandra's House loves what they do, and I am proud to be part of a really great team. We all work so hard to give all our children the best start in their early years journey.

Hello, my name is Diane, and I am a level 4 Early Years practitioner who truly loves my job and working at Alexandra House. I started back at Alexandra House in June 2025. I work in the pre-school room as a Deputy Room Leader, which I absolutely love working with 3-5 year olds, the most and love being part of their learning and development. I take pride in creating a safe, caring, and fun environment where the children feel happy and supported every day. I love watching them grow in confidence and personality, and it makes me proud to know I play a part in their early years and getting the children ready for school. I also love the team I work with

My name is Hayley. I have been in childcare for 14 years. I hold a level 3 qualification in childcare, and I have two beautiful children of my own. I have been at Alexandra House for 10 years.

Working in early years is so much more than a job to me; it’s a privilege. It’s not just about letters and numbers — it’s about communication, emotional wellbeing, physical development, and helping children feel safe and valued. I enjoy creating an environment where children feel confident to explore, ask questions, and be themselves.

I value the relationships I build — not only with the children but with their families. Supporting parents and carers, sharing milestones, and working together to help each child thrive is a responsibility I take pride in. I work with the best group of people, and being part of a team that works together to achieve the best outcomes creates a supportive and motivating environment.

Hi, I’m Rhiannon, a Level 5 Lead Practitioner at Alexander House, where I’ve proudly been part of the team since July 2025. I am currently a practitioner within the pre-school room, supporting children at such an important stage of their development. I’m truly passionate about my role and love creating engaging, imaginative activities that inspire curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. Watching the children grow, achieve their milestones, and develop their own unique personalities is incredibly rewarding, and I’m dedicated to providing a nurturing, stimulating environment where every child can thrive.

Hello, my name is Kiera. I hold a level 2 qualification in childcare. I am currently working on completing my level 3 qualification in early years education. I have been working in early years since 2023 and started at Alexandra House in April 2025. I work within the preschool room with the most amazing team of professionals. I am dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing learning environment for children to thrive. There’s nothing more special than being a part of children’s early years.

Hello, I'm Ava. As a newly qualified practitioner, I started my placement at Alexandra’s House in 2023 and finished my level 3 childcare qualification in 2025. I enjoy my role because it allows me to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. I also enjoy that my role is varied and continuously developing. Every day brings new experiences and learning opportunities, which help me build my confidence and professional skills. As someone new to the profession, I appreciate being able to reflect on my practice, learn from others, and see my progress over time. Most importantly, I like knowing that my work contributes to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where individuals feel valued and supported.

My name is Lola. I am level 3 qualified, and have been working in childcare for four years, having recently become a full time preschool worker in September 2025. I absolutely adore the work I do, and feel that my strongest attribute to the team is the way I am able to build trust and friendships with all the children within the setting.

I’m Ella, a student at Discovery College in my second year studying for my T-level childcare qualification. I've been learning at Alexandra house since 2024 and began casual employment in 2026. My passion for working in early years is from the love of seeing the children progress and grow, not just their learning, but in themselves and being involved and responsible for such a valuable part of their lives.