Meet the Brambles Staff

We are in the very fortunate position of having an excellent team of qualified staff, all of who are dedicated in providing the children with an excellent basis for learning within our pre-school setting. All our staff are given the opportunity to attend regular training courses throughout the year to keep them up to date with changing legislation and new initiatives as they are introduced.

Our membership of the Pre-School Learning Alliance ensures that we are constantly kept up to date with the latest developments in the field of child education and care.  Our playgroup staff are:

Ruth Russell - Manager

Ruth became Playgroup Manager in June 2006 having been deputy for 3 years prior to that, starting in Brambles in 2000. She has been Manager since Brambles Childcare was founded in July 2018.

• CACHE level 4 NVQ in Children’s Care, Learning & Development
• Designated Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)
• Designated Person for Child Protection  
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
• Paediatric First Aid 
• Safer Recruitment    

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Playgroup Assistants

Karen Cook

• Pre-schooler Room Leader
• Early Years Educator level 3
• Paediatric First Aid
• Basic Child Protection
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
• Equalities Named Coordinator (ENCo)

​Amy Jerred

• CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education.
• Basic Child Protection
• Food Hygiene & Safety Level 2
• Paediatric First Aid​                                                                           ​

​​Beverley Arnold - Relief Practitioner

• Cache Diploma in Childcare Level 3
• Paediatric First Aid
• Basic Child Protection

Tracey Dowding - Deputy Manager

Tracey became Deputy Manager in June 2006 having worked at Brambles since 2000.She has continued in this post following the creation of Brambles Childcare.

• CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Pre School Practice
• Designated Person for Child Protection  
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
• Paediatric First Aid 

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Rachel Wass

• Toddler Room Leader
• CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children’s and Young People Workforce (QCF)
• Basic Child Protection
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
• Paediatric First Aid 
• Designated Person for Behaviour​

Fern Heaver

• Level 3 Certificate in Children’s Learning, Care & Development (City and Guilds 100/5615/4)
• Basic Child Protection
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
• Paediatric First Aid 

​Manda Lusmore - Relief Practitioner

• Edexcel Level 3 NVQ in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
• Paediatric First Aid 
  
  

 
​Fun Club Playworkers

Helen Wheeler - Senior Playworker

• CACHE level 3 Diploma in Playwork
• Basic Child Protection
• Paediatric First Aid 
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2

Corinna Gibbs - Playworker

• CACHE level 3 Diploma in Playwork
• Basic Child Protection
• Paediatric First Aid 
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2