Our Trustees

Meet the trustees

Hello, Carrie here! Early years has been my passion from a very young age. I remember visiting family as a young teen and wanting to spend my time ‘looking after’ their babies and toddlers. By the age of 14 I was babysitting for several families, so it was to no ones surprise when I went to college to do my level 3 qualification (NNEB back then) at the age of 16. In the early days I worked as a nanny before taking a short break to marry my husband, relocate to southern England and have our son. It wasn’t long before I returned to work as another family nanny, taking my baby with me. A couple of years later our daughter came along and my husband’s work commitments saw us leave the UK to live in Germany. Being a ‘stay at home mum’ was not for me so when my daughter was 8 months old I went to work as the baby room leader in a military nursery. I found myself homesick so after two years in Germany I moved back to my hometown in Yorkshire where I registered as a childminder which fit around my families needs. In 2009 my third baby, a daughter was born. The loyalty I felt to my childminded families saw me go back to work after just a few weeks. In 2014 my husband’s work took him to Wiltshire, where the children and I followed. Here I found a role as a pre-school room leader in a small chain day nursery, this is also where I met an inspirational practitioner who gave me the confidence to start my degree. I remained here for two years until I heard of the managers position become available in my current setting. I absolutely loved the setting, it’s in my hometown and where all three of my children attended (my son just for a few months) - it’s such an idyllic setting anyone would be lucky to work there. 25 years after starting my training I am where I am today. I work with an extraordinary team who value the ethos of charity settings. Everyone here is here for the children – as it should be. The pressures I felt working in day nurseries to meet occupancy targets and make the business profits have long gone. I cannot put into words how much I love working in my setting with my team – I want to share this passion with other like-minded settings which is why Kate and I are the driving force behind Early Explorers. My children are now 18, 16 and 12 so life is changing at home but the pre-schoolsers give me my fix of laughter, fun and games. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family – you can’t beat a good BBQ. We upgraded from camping to caravan holidays 4 years ago so I like to spend my weekends visiting various places in the UK.

Carrie Richardson

Trustee & Manager of Howden Pre-School

Hi, I'm Kate, mum of 2 girls, 1 now grown up and the other hitting the teenage years! I've worked in Charity run pre-schools for 16 years, starting voluntary when my youngest daughter was 2. I was encouraged to complete my level 3 and later as my role progressed to deputy manager, I went on to do my level 4 in leadership and management. Since then, I’ve attended endless short courses, webinars and zoom conferences, all which extend my knowledge, keep me up to date and gives me a fresh outlook and new ideas to share in my setting. I've been in my current role as Howden Pre-School Deputy Manager for 8 years. It’s been a rewarding journey. 8 years ago I walked into Howden Playgroup. It had just been taken over by a new manager, we spent 2 years turning the playgroup into a Pre-School. For the last 6 years I have worked with the current Manager Carrie and together we have developed the pre-school into what is now, a very popular, successful and Ofsted rated outstanding pre-school with an amazing team of staff who truly love their jobs. I believe there is something special about charity run pre-schools, they have a different feel to modern day nurseries, a family feel, a community feel which I think is important to future generations. This is why I chose to join Carrie in setting up Early Explorers Community Pre-Schools! In the summer months I am definitely an outdoorsie person so a lot of my spare time is spent in my garden or off exploring the country in my campervan. I love nature and animals, I have 2 rescue dogs. I love to spend time with my family. I love music and dancing. I believe whatever makes your soul happy you should do more of! In the winter, I hibernate! Nothing beats being at home with all my things around me curled up on the sofa watching a good series on the telly. I am excited to develop our charity, to work with different settings, share knowledge, improve the outcomes of the children in our care, care for the communities and build a better future.

Kate Lumb

Trustee & Deputy Manager of Howden Pre-School

Hi i’m Megan and I am the treasurer for Early Explorers. I love being a part of this hard working team that helps our little people build a strong foundation for their future.

Megan Milner

Treasurer

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Danny Teasdale

Trustee

Hello. I have a keen interest in early years after studying for a qualification and volunteering many hours in a setting. I went on to work in a setting before having my own children. Two of my children are currently at pre-school so I have first hand knowledge of this age group, I also feel I can bring a parents perspective to the board of trustees. I am very excited to work with you all.

Jessica Durkin

Trustee

Child building with brightly coloured clay

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities support!

Hi, my name is Hannah and I am the SENDCO at Howden pre-school and will be on hand to support Early Explorer settings with any SEN or behaviour needs.

I have worked with early years children since 2001 after obtaining a BTEC National Diploma in Early Years. I am born and bred in Howden. I have worked at a local day nursery, I was a nanny and Au Pair, I have also worked as a barmaid over the years too and was once known as the singing barmaid! In 2009 I became an OFSTED registered childminder and I enjoyed a lovely 10 year relationship with young children and their families, I still have a close bond with my mini-bosses!

My son Harrison was born in 2013 and he attended Howden Pre-school… I even attended Howden Pre-school as a toddler too! It was during Harrison's time at pre-school that he was referred onto the pathway for Early Years Support, which later led to a diagnosis of Autism and Global Developmental Delay. Howden Pre-school staff where incredibly supportive and they liaised with professionals and services such as Portage and Speech and Language Therapists to publish an Educational Health Care Plan ready for Harrison to start his school journey at a Specialist School in 2017.

It was then, that I became the chairperson of Howden Pre-schools charity committee for two years. I worked as supply staff for the setting; during that time we successfully regenerated the outdoor play space and celebrated with the staff when they obtained their Outstanding OFSTED inspection. I officially began working at pre-school in 2019 and I love every minute of it!

My son and his disability has completely changed my outlook of the world and I find Autism fascinating; Harrison has taught me so much and it has changed how I think and empathise, how I parent, how I care, play, educate and support children and their families. I also use my role as a Town Councillor to campaign for better disability services in Howden, working and fundraising for Project Loo which is to build and facilitate a changing place at the public toilets for complex disabled people and their carers to be able to access a toilet and changing area that has a bench and hoist; this facility will be built by 2023! My next mission is to campaign for a wheelchair swing… what this space!

My continued professional development includes: The National Portage Association workshop. Level 2 Understanding Autism. Level 2 Mental Health in Children and Young People. Understanding the Benefits of Speech and Language Therapy. Supporting Children and Young People with Learning Disabilities who have Behaviours that Challenge. Supporting Behaviour in the Early Years. The Picture Exchange Communication System. Level 1 and 2 Sign Language. Early Support Plan Writing. Educational Health Care Plan Workshop. The Role of the SENCO

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