Staff | sunningdalepreschool

We have a great team who are all passionate about enhancing each and every child's early years experience. Our team brings fun, experience, knowledge and skills together with a real caring and fun attitude in their roles. The staff work hard to create an environment which enables our Pre-Schoolers to thrive in their early years. At present we have 7 full time staff, who all work at Pre-School and 4 of them who work at Afterschool Club, all of who are fully qualified. All staff hold first aid certificates. Let me introduce my team....

Our Staff

Sharon Sparkes

Hi, I am Sharon Sparkes - Manager, DSL, SENDCo and Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner

I have been involved in Sunningdale Pre-School since 1994, first as a parent when my 2 boys joined Pre-School, then joining the committee and helping out during sessions.

When my youngest son went to school in 1998, I joined Pre-School as an assistant. I went to college and gained my Diploma in Pre-School Practice, Level 3 in 2000. I have been Manager since 2004. In November 2009 I gained a Level 5 Management Diploma. My personal and professional development is important to me., as well as having up to date knowledge and understanding of Mental Health and Wellbeing; I feel this is key to supporting my close team, as well as all the children and families that come to Pre-School.

I enjoy managing the close team at Pre-School, who I feel are the true asset of Pre-School and who are my 2nd family. In Oct 2018 Pre-School was recognised as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. Pre-School and its staff have, in my eyes, always been outstanding! I am proud of the high reputation that Pre-School has in this community and of the changes that have been achieved over the past years to meet the growing needs of families; making it a wonderful, inviting and stimulating environment for children to thrive, grow and have fun!.

Kirsty Wheatley

Hi, I am Kirsty Wheatley - Deputy & Room Manager & DDSL

I have been lucky enough to have been teaching at Pre-School since 2001 and I have two children, a son and daughter.

After joining Pre-School as an assistant, I was encouraged to go to college and gain my DPP Level 3 Qualification. Over the years my role has been varied and grown alongside the changes within the setting. I am now Deputy and Room Manager, I work alongside Sharon and closely with all the staff, working together on our new 'Planning In The Moment', helping with resources and ideas to support the children's needs, development and next steps, as well as managing our day-to-day routine.

Working with the children is very fulfilling and rewarding, watching them grow and develop their own individual, independent characters, still amazes me after all these years and no day at Pre-School is ever the same! Our amazing environment evolves continually, especially our outdoor area and Forest School, all of which offer the children such fantastic learning opportunities, I enjoy sharing my love of nature with the children. It is lovely to have parents coming into the setting and sharing their interests, culture and knowledge with us too.

I am also involved in 'Active Mornings' sessions with the children, a short period of exercise, music and movement or an obstacle course. Observing the children's physical development, discussing healthy choices and the effects exercise has on the body.

We are a very close team and have built an amazing bond over the years, the staff all have unique qualities and areas of expertise which make Sunningdale Pre-School the warm, nurturing and exciting place it is.

Ann Offield

Hi, I am Ann Offield - Creative & Yoga Co-Ordinate & Qualified Assistant.

I have been teaching at Pre-School for over 20 years. I have two grown up children and am proud to say they both started their school journey at Sunningdale Pre-School.

In my role as creative co-ordinator, I am able to bring my passion and knowledge for the creative arts into supporting the children’s learning and their freedom of choice, to express themselves and their spontaneous ideas. For a young child it is what they are doing which is most important, not what they make. The children continue to inspire me everyday with their wonderful imaginations.

At Sunningdale Pre-School we pride ourselves in supporting the children’s well-being and work closely in supporting self-regulation skills. Over the past year I have introduced simple Yoga to the children, who have all embraced it enabling them to develop their communication skills with each other and share their feelings, helping them to feel positive about their own abilities and valued, as well as building confidence and self-esteem.
I enjoy working closely with families to ensure they feel a part of their child’s journey through Pre-School.

Clare Redhead

Hi, I am Clare Redhead - Qualified Assistant.

I have been working in childcare since gaining my NNEB Diploma in 1992. I worked as a private nanny for many years before starting my own family. I now have 3 boys of my own; two at secondary school and one at primary school.

Working with children has always been my passion and I've been fortunate enough to have continued on my chosen career path alongside being a Mum; working in a creche for 15 years and spending time in a day nursery before joining the Pre-School team in 2014.

I enjoy all aspects of my role but in particular building relations with all the children and their families.

Alison Evans

Tracy Duncan

Hi, I am Alison - Qualified Assistant

I have 6 children, 4 of whom came to Sunningdale Pre-School. I have always had a career in childcare, whether it be at a Pre-School, Nursery, primary school or as a childminder. I have loved the satisfaction of seeing the children grow and blossom into unique individuals.

As an Early Years practitioner, I strongly believe that the key to every childs' learning is to feel safe and secure in a stimulating environment, that has fun at the very core of everything they do. Sunningdale Pre-School definitely offers all of this, which is why I keep coming back to be a part of the team!

Hi, I am Tracy Duncan - NVQ 3 Qualified Nursery Nurse.

I have worked within a variety of child care settings, starting from Nursery, Private Nanny, Primary School and After-school Club. Working with children has always been a passion for me especially in helping them to achieve their full potential!

I am delighted to be back as part of the After-school Club team, as well as increasing my hours and now working at Pre-school, after taking a break to have my daughter Grace in 2020.

Rachel Walsh

Hi, I am Rachel Walsh, a qualified teacher with over 12 years experience in school settings, most recently as a Reception class teacher.

I took some time away to be at home with my three young children, who now all attend school. During this time, I enjoyed creating fun and varied child-led play opportunities at home. Taking inspiration from these and my own EYFS classroom experience, I spent the last 18 months prior to this role running my own weekly playgroup. With a firm grounding in the EYFS curriculum, I supported families in the local community to engage their children in learning through purposeful play in a safe, nurturing environment. I enjoy being part of a creative environment that is child-led and evolves with the children’s needs.

In my role here, I aim to bring energy, enthusiasm and continue to support children to reach their full potential in their learning. My commitment to building strong, trusting relationships with children and their families, removing barriers to learning so that all children can achieve and grow as confident and well-rounded individuals, aligns with that of Sunningdale Pre-School. Those first years are so important and I want all children in my care to feel happy and fulfilled.