Coming to pre-school can be daunting for our children as they will be cared for by unfamiliar people. We have prepared this page to introduce our staff to you and your children. Please take time to familiarise yourself and your child with us all.
Karen Hazell
Managing Director/ Owner
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator (SENDCO)
Hi, my name is Karen. I live in Amersham, and I am a busy mum of three grown-up boys! I first joined Mitchell Walk Playgroup (as Holding Hands Preschool was previously known) over 20 years ago, as a part-time playgroup assistant. I began working my way up the ladder as the years progressed, gaining much experience, and achieving a Level 5 qualification for preschool management.
After many years of managing the team and the setting, I had the wonderful opportunity to become the Managing Director of the preschool, in July 2014. Since then, I have used my creativity, determination, and passion to expand, build and progress the setting.
I am the Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator (SENDCO) and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within the setting. I am qualified in Paediatric First Aid and my forte is Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), for which I have trained extensively since my early years career began.
I feel blessed to be in a position where I can provide opportunities for others to work, progress and develop within the childcare sector and grow in the same way that I did. As well as this, I can’t help but feel lucky at being able to have fun, whilst watching your children grow and develop.
Faith Ward
Deputy Manager
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Hello, my name is Faith and Holding Hands Preschool is where my love for working with children began! I started working for the setting over eighteen years ago as an apprentice, and since then I have continued to learn, grow, and develop alongside the children in my care.
I completed my Level 2 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development and Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce quite early on in my career. Most recently, I completed my BA (Hons) Professional Practice (Early Years), graduating in September 2017. I am also Paediatric First Aid qualified. I have had experience of working with both small and large groups, both in day nurseries and our wonderful pre-school, as well as the unbeatable experience gained from becoming a mummy myself, to two very active and excitable boys!
Within this home from home, I can express my imaginative side, sing to my hearts’ content, get as messy as can be and embrace my inner child, day after day. Additionally, I LOVE getting outside, exploring, and investigating in nature and thrive alongside the children here in our beautiful surroundings. This has encouraged me to embark on my Level 3 Forest School Leader training, which I hope to complete and implement in the coming academic year. It doesn’t stop there though; I do these things because I enjoy watching your children progress and learn through all of this. Child development is a passion of mine and I have become a huge advocate of children learning through play – it is quite simply, as vital as sunshine!
Sandra Chant
Administrator
Hello, my name is Sandra. I was first involved in Mitchell Walk Playgroup when my youngest son started in 2005 (he is now 21 and serving in the Royal Navy!) At that time, Mitchell Walk Playgroup was a charity and, as I worked in finance, I volunteered to be the treasurer, taking care of the annual accounts. I continued in this role until the charity ceased in 2013 and Karen took over as owner and manager of the pre-school and what is now Holding Hands.
I have been hovering in the background ever since, giving help and support to Karen and the rest of the team as needed. Karen has been asking me to come back and be more involved in helping her to run Holding Hands Pre-School. Due to a change of circumstances, I was able to come and work one day a week from October 2019.
My job is to help with the administration and finances. I raise the invoices and send out the emails allocating spaces and generally run the office, freeing up Karen’s time. I am the person to speak to about your invoices or any general query. Please feel free to email me with any queries including requests for additional sessions and I will reply. I moved to Norfolk in 2023 to live by the sea but continue to work with Karen remotely and will be visiting Holding Hands on a regular basis.
Jodie Hawkes
Senior Preschool Practitioner
Deputy Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator (DSENDCO)
Hello, my name is Jodie, and I am a busy, married mum of three. I first started working in childcare in 2014, in a day nursery. However, this wasn’t for me, and I decided to take some time away from work to concentrate on my young family.
In 2016, I took the opportunity to join Holding Hands Preschool and began studying towards my Level 2 Children’s Workforce and Development qualification, which I completed in June 2018. I discovered quickly that I had a passion to support children with additional needs and their families, and in 2020, I returned to study. Soon after, I gained a Level 3 award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in Early Years Settings. This course and the experience I have gained within the setting, working alongside my colleagues and other professionals has given me a wealth of knowledge and an eagerness to help all our children learn and progress. I was keen and driven to continue to learn and in 2022, I completed my Level 3 Diploma for the Early Year’s Educator. I am also Paediatric First Aid qualified.
I love working with children and seeing all their individual personalities flourish and grow, giving me a sense of pride and satisfaction. I enjoy joining in with all the wonderful activities in the setting, but particularly like all things messy and creative. I also love using puppets and different resources to follow the children’s lead and let their imagination shine through, whilst acting out stories, singing and dancing.
Kirsty Thompson
Preschool Practitioner
Hello, my name is Kirsty. I started working at Holding Hands Preschool in September 2017. I currently work full-time and hold a Level 3 Childcare Workforce and Development qualification, which I completed in June 2020. I am also paediatric first aid qualified.
Working with children has always been something that I wanted to do and so after leaving school, I attended college in order to gain both a Level 1 Health and Social Care qualification and my Cache Level 2 in childcare. I have gained lots of experience in working with children through babysitting regularly for several families and through working in another nursery setting in Chalfont St. Giles. I still enjoy babysitting in my free time and am now keen to learn more and continue my childcare career with Holding Hands.
I love working in the preschool, and being able to take the children on fun adventures to local places is one of my favourite parts about our setting. I thoroughly enjoy watching the children explore our local area and see what places are around. I also love the opportunities the children get from being outside in our beautiful surroundings and spending time in nature with them.
Rachael Parker
Preschool Practitioner
Hi, my name is Rachael, and I am extremely excited to be joining the Holding Hands team. I have always loved working with children and as soon as I left school in 2016, I began working within a Primary school setting. Most people say that they can remember a certain teacher and/or practitioner who had a big impact on supporting their learning journey and I am definitely one of those people. This has led to me having a large passion in becoming that person for other children on their own learning journeys.
I completed my Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care at college and then went on to study and complete my BA (Hons) Early Childhood and Primary Education Studies, graduating in 2021.
During this time, I also managed to gain experience working in all year groups from Early Years through to Year 6. Alongside this, I helped to run a Nurture group for children needing support with their confidence and understanding their emotions. Within my practice, I love to be imaginative and enjoy getting creative. I like to have fun and let children explore and learn from their own interests and ideas.
My favorite thing about working with children is having the pleasure of watching them grow, explore and develop. As well as seeing the enjoyment on their faces when they achieve, succeed and have fun while doing it.
Zoe Arbery
Preschool Practitioner
Hi, my name is Zoe, and I am a mum of two little ones, aged 6 and 4 years old. I have recently returned to Holding Hands Preschool, following a break to focus on my own young family. I am now keen to return to work and pick up where I left off.
I have returned in a part-time role, but you will see me most days and I have loved getting to know all our children and their families since my return. I have lots of experience with children, caring and supporting them not only from a home environment, but also within early years settings. I am paediatric First Aid qualified and have learnt a lot through my prior early years’ studies.
I enjoy taking the time to get to know each and every child individually by playing alongside and engaging with them. I truly believe a nurturing environment, such as ours is the best place for children to learn and develop. Each area of the preschool is very special, and I love to get involved across the entire site. You can find me chatting quietly in small groups or getting messy with slime, paint or playdough. I spend lots of time playing outdoors or you will often find me fully engrossed in singing, dancing, ring games, and supporting children to interact with activities such as ‘Danny Go!’ or ‘Cosmic Yoga’.
Ethan Hazell
Preschool Support Assistant
Hello, I’m Ethan. I joined Holding Hands Preschool in March 2016, after having gained my Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification as well as valuable experience from working with Barnardo’s where I was recognised for the exceptional support I provided. As a result of this, I was offered an invitation to celebrate at the Queen’s Garden party!
Following this, I felt the desire to continue learning and progressing within the childcare sector – gaining my Level 2 and Level 3 Childcare Workforce and Development qualifications. I am also Paediatric First Aid qualified.
I have recently returned to a part-time role within the preschool, following a break for personal reasons. I really enjoy all the areas in the setting, but my favourite is the garden, where I’m able to support all of the children in developing physically and learning new skills. I also thoroughly enjoy joining in with ‘Danny Go!’ in the gym and singing nursery rhymes, action songs and participating in ring games, alongside the children.
Peta Foley
Preschool Practitioner
Hello, my name is Peta, and I am a single Mum to a very energetic eight-year-old boy, who is the light in my life. I adore animals of all kinds and love being outdoors in nature, getting muddy, wet, and having fun with my son.
I am a qualified Cordon Bleu chef and worked many years in the industry, but there was little creativity allowed, so I happily moved onto another passion of mine…children! Since becoming a mother, I have been in total awe of these little people. The way they see the world fascinates me.
I have been a part of the team and working part-time at Holding Hands Preschool, since May 2021. I am finding my feet within this role and have so enjoyed the online childcare courses, learning how to understand the children’s world. I decided to embark on my Cache Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner and completed this in 2024. I have found the knowledge gained from this fascinating.
I have always seen childhood as such a precious time and adore being able to have a part to play in helping to create a fun, loving, and exciting environment for all the children here. It is such an honour for me to witness the amazing achievements of these little ones. My ambition is to become a Primary School teacher to be involved in children’s next exciting chapter.
Laura Ashwell
Preschool Practitioner
Hi! My name is Laura, and I joined the team here at Holding Hands Preschool in October 2018. I am currently working full time after finishing my studies and achieving a Level 3 Certificate in Childcare and Education. I am also Paediatric First Aid qualified.
I have continued to train following the completion of my Level 1 and 2 qualifications in Health and Social Care, whilst at school and then college. During this, I had the opportunity to gain some further experience, when carrying out a placement at Coleshill School and I also enjoy babysitting for younger family members in my free time. Having this experience, urged me to work towards a qualification in childcare and follow my passion for working with children. I am very eager to learn more and continue my childcare career within the preschool.
I enjoy the fun side, as well as the challenges of working with children and particularly love to see how they grow and develop to be the best they can be!
I have loved Holding Hands since the day I joined for my Level 2 placement. I was welcomed into the staff team by everyone, and I feel that not only I, but all the children, thrive in this warm, happy, and loving atmosphere!
Krystyna Komova
Preschool Practitioner
Hello, my name is Krystyna and I am very happy to be part of the team here at Holding Hands Preschool. I am an educated dietitian, with a special interest in supporting women and children, and I have always been passionate about wellbeing and healthy development from the very start of life.
Working with children has always been close to my heart, and becoming a mum myself has made this passion even stronger. Being part of an Early Years setting allows me to support children not only in their learning, but also in building confidence, curiosity and positive relationships.
I love creating a warm, safe and caring environment where children feel happy, valued and excited to explore. It is truly a joy and a privilege to be part of their early journey and to watch them grow every day.
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