EYFS Little Acorns Nursery

Welcome to our Early Years Foundation Stage

Meet the team:

Mrs Morrison - EYFS Teacher/ SLT member (Lead teacher in Little Acorns)

BA (Hons) English Language and Sociolinguistics, PGCE Primary Education, NPQH

I am thrilled to be part of the EYFS team here at Willaston and love working in Little Acorns. During my career, I have enjoyed working across the key stages including Years 1,2,3, 5 and 6 which has given me a clear understanding of how primary education works. I have also taught EAL in Thailand which helped me to become both creative and resourceful. I believe in the importance of giving activities purpose and meaning, encouraging children to think about real life contexts. I love getting to know my class and watching them grow and progress. Teaching a range of year groups and children has shown me the importance of creating activities that not only stretch the pupils but keep them inspired and allow them to have fun and enjoy their learning. I feel that children learn best when activities are engaging and give them the opportunity to explore independently. Outside of school, I spend my free time with family, my two young daughters, with friends, our crazy dog and off on adventures in our little touring caravan. My two daughters keep me busy, one of which started Year 2 this year and my youngest started in a school preschool this year, so I know exactly how you all feel. It has been wonderful to see how important the early years are in a child’s development and watch her flourish. I love getting creative and together as a family we spend a lot of time crafting and doing messy play. I love my job as a teacher and feel very lucky to work as part of the fantastic EYFS team.

Miss Pickup - HLTA and Early Years Practitioner

BA (Hons) Theatre and Performing Arts, NNEB Nursery Diploma, HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant), EYITT (Early Years Teacher)

My experience and enjoyment of Early Years education began as soon as I left college having completed my NNEB Nursery Nursing Diploma. I then moved to London to become a children’s Nanny and was able to fulfil my dream of being a real life ‘Mary Poppins.’ Each fortnight I would choose an interest or favourite book of the children and theme their learning through play activities and our outdoor adventures and museum visits around it.

During my time in London I also studied for a Theatre and Performing Arts degree. I love to use the character, voice and creative skills I developed during it within the classroom environment today especially when reading stories to the children and playing within the small world.

I began working at Willaston Primary Academy in September 2007 and since then have had the pleasure to work across the whole school. As much as I enjoy my varied role within school I feel my heart always pulls me back to Early Years and KS1. I have enjoyed being a regular daily member of the reception team where I have been involved in planning and delivering many different types of themed provision activities including number, phonics, role play areas, creative and outdoor learning. I enjoy observing the children experience the learning environment and being able to share with parents online the lovely things that their children do throughout the day.

When I am not at work I enjoy attending exercise classes, reading and sitting in my garden. I am mum to my daughter, Poppy. She and I enjoy going for walks, visiting the theatre and taking dance classes, fortunately for me she shares my interest in performing arts.

Miss Wakefield - EYFS Teaching Assistant

Miss Basford - EYFS Teaching Assistant / Holiday club

Mrs Hargreaves - EYFS Teaching Assistant / Holiday club

Mrs Leech - EYFS Manager (Teacher in Reception)

BSc(Hons) Psychology & Education Studies, PGCE Primary with Early Years Specialism.

I am very excited about leading the Early Years at Willaston Primary Academy. I am an extremely experienced Early Years teacher, I have enjoyed a varied and fulfilling career teaching children from Pre-School age up to Year 6 over the past 20 years, but my real passion is for the Early Years. I am a very creative teacher with a love for the Arts. I believe that children learn through a rich creative curriculum and they learn best when they are having fun and exploring. Outside of school, I have two children and a cheeky dog, we enjoy spending time outdoors exploring nature, being creative, baking and playing board games.

I love being a teacher and am passionate about children’s learning. Willaston’s Early Years classes will provide a fun, loving and supportive environment for your little ones to develop, grow and follow their dreams.