Our Staff

Sam Hope

Manager & DSL

I began working at the preschool in 2009 as a Preschool Assistant and went on to complete my NVQ level 3 in childcare and Education in 2012. In 2015 I was promoted to the position of Deputy Manager which lead on to me stepping up as Acting Manager at the beginning of 2016. In July 2016 I became the Manager. I am also the designated safeguarding Lead. I am passionate about children's learning and development and believe that all children are individuals who learn and develop in their own unique ways. I'm keen for children to experience an enabling environment both indoors and out and I am committed to ensuring all staff promote the well-being of all children. I am a mum of two boys and during my spare time I like spending time with my family and friends.

Jo Raggett

Deputy Manager, Senco, ELSA and DDSL

I joined the team in 2013 as SENCO/Level 3 Practitioner. Previously I have worked in educational SEN settings and at White Lodge and have extensive experience of working with children with additional needs. I am a qualified Nursery Nurse and qualified Team Leader, which I trained for whilst working at Burwood Preschool. In 2016 I was promoted to Acting Deputy Manager and Deputy Safeguarding Lead. Over the summer holiday I accepted the post of Deputy Manager. I have completed my training to become a qualified Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) I was part of the first cohort to be trained for the Early Years, which is very exciting. I have also just completed my Elklan speech and language training for children aged 3-5 years.

Abbey Wilkinson

Preschool Supervisor Level 3 / Health & Safety Officer

Hi I'm Abbey I joined Burwood Preschool in September 2017. When I left school I went to Guildford college where I achieved my Level 3 in childcare, I have worked in childcare for over 10 years. I have 2 daughters and in my spare time I enjoy spending it with my family.

Anita Dixon (Bixi)

Preschool Practitioner Level 3

I joined Burwood Preschool in 2009 as a Preschool Assistant. I completed my NVQ 3 in Childcare and Education in 2012 and have just attended completed my training on behaviour management and become a Level 3 Practitioner. I have three children and during my spare time I like to spend time with my family.

Tasha Hargraves

Preschool Practitioner Level 3 & DDSL

My name is Tasha. I have been working in childcare for over 8 years and I am level 3 qualified. I started working at Burwood Preschool in June 2016. I am a mum of two girls, and in my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family. 

Donna Pugh

Preschool Practitioner Level 3

I started working at Burwood Preschool in 2011 for my work experience for two years and was offered an apprenticeship in 2012 which I completed in 2014 to become a Level 2 Practitioner. I have completed my Level 3 in 2022 which I am over the moon about. I love my job! During my spare time I enjoy spending time with my friends.

Donna Kelly

Preschool Practitioner Level 3

Hi my name is Donna and I joined Burwood Preschool in January 2019. I have completed my level 3 in childcare in December 2022. I absolutely love my job, it is so rewarding. I have 3 grown up children and in my spare time I love spending it with family and friends and I love a good film or box set.

Kelly Thornton

Preschool Practitioner Level 3

My name is Kelly, I completed my level 3 in childcare in June 2021. I have worked in childcare since 2015, and I love it as it’s so rewarding. I’m a mum to 4 children, 3 boys and a girl ageing from 20-9. I have personal experience with additional needs, which I think helps me in my job. In my spare time I spend it with my family.

Debbie Read

Deputy Manager & Forest School Leader for Forest School and Wraparound Care & DDSL

My name is Debbie and I qualified as a level 3 forest school leader 6 years ago I LOVE forest school, I have also qualified in Level 3 Early Years (Educator) I worked in primary school for 16 years and I am also a qualified chef too. Apart from Forest Schools I love cooking, Lego, and spending time with my family I have two grown up girls and a 2 beautiful granddaughters. I like to be a bit different too and regularly change my hair colour just because I can so don’t be surprised if one day I’m pink and the next I’m blue.

Nicola Ayton

Forest School practitioner and Afterschool Club Assistant

Hi my name is Nicola I qualified as a Level 3 Early Years Practitioner in 2012.


I have worked with children for 8 years within a Pre school and After School Club, I enjoy taking part in Arts and Crafts with the children. I have 2 daughters and 2 Cocker Spaniel dogs who like lots of cuddles.


In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and watching Football.

Summer Strain

Afterschool Club Assistant

Hi my name is Summer and I am currently at college studying art. In my spare time I like to spend time with my friends and family.

Stephanie Hooper

Forest School Practitioner

My name is Stef, I am new to childcare, but looking after and helping children achieve their best outcome is my passion and is the reason I have changed my career path from hospitality to child care.

I am a Mum of 3 grown children and Nana of 2 grandchildren.

My free time is spent with my family and looking after my grandchildren. 

Melanie Wood 

Forest School Practitioner

Hi! I’m Melanie or Mel, I’m a mum of two energetic teenage girls who keep me on my toes and bring so much joy and happiness to my life. One is at university and the other is going into year 11 and doing her GCSE’s.

I’ve always had a passion for working with children, whether it’s through my professional work or just in everyday life. There’s something so rewarding about helping little ones learn, grow, and discover the world around them.


Lisa Barca 

Forest School Practitioner

Hi I'm Lisa, I've worked with children since I was 16, I've got 4 of my own, 2 grown up and 2 school age, I like to think outside the box, you cant predict what ill do next! getting stuck in is my middle name! Children are inquisitive and want to explore and that's exactly what we're going to do at forest school, I cant promise your children will come out in clean clothes but you will have a happy child :)