Claire the Managing Director
All Children Great & Small.
I have a BA (Hons) in Childhood studies and I have worked in Childcare for over 20 years. I have been lucky enough to work all over the world in my career including Australia, Greece, Cyprus the Caribbean and Dubai to name a few. I have my level 3 Forest Schools Practitioner qualification and have 5 years Forest School Experience. I have always dreamed of having my own nursery so when the opportunity arose to go into partnership with my business partner Lee, I jumped at the chance. I am so proud that we have been able to open Rotherham’s first Forest School Nursery but also to be able to bring these opportunities to children in my home town of Swinton.
When I first started working in Forest School I thought it was a great idea having children out in the woodland on a daily basis but I had no idea of the benefits that I would see in the children. Not only are children happy and energised, the difference that I noticed in their social and emotional skills, problem solving abilities and physical development was phenomenal whilst still achieving in every area of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.
I absolutely love my job and I feel privileged to be working alongside some of the most caring, experienced and qualified practitioners.
Claire Holman
Hello, my name is Claire and I am the Accounts Manager
My journey with All Children Great & Small started in September 2020 and I feel so privileged to work in an amazing setting with such fantastic staff and children. I have the best of both worlds where I can carry out my administrative duties as well as spend time with the children.
My qualifications include a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business and Administration and RSA Word Processing, as well as 22 years administration experience. I have previously worked within the NHS for 14 years and have training in Level 1 and 2 Children Safeguarding.
As a parent I understand how important it is for early years development and I already can see in the time I have been here, how beneficial a Forest School is to the children. They absolutely love the great outdoors and are thriving so much.
Cath Bracegirdle
Hi, I'm Cath and I hold a foundation degree in Early Years Care and Education. I have worked in an Early Years Setting with young children in a local primary school for 26 Years.
I visited a setting is 2018 which incorporated some Forest School methods which sparked my interest in outdoor learning in the natural environment and using space and nature to spark children's natural curiosity to self-initiate, engage, explore and learn in a meaningful way. The impact of that visit ultimately increased my frustration and lack of enthusiasm for traditional classroom based learning. Whilst I chose to spend increased amounts of time outdoors with the children it wasn't enough to quell a feeling of personal dissatisfaction with what we could potentially offer or provide for the children that was meaningful for them to full engage.
I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to be given the opportunity to work alongside a highly experience team.
Lee Kettlewell
Hello, I am Lee, one of the Directors of All Children Great & Small, who works behind the scenes and also the owner of our beautiful building, where our Nursery is located.
I would like to start by telling you a little about myself.
Growing up in Swinton, I was fortunate enough to have the most fantastic childhood, surrounded by the most amazing family anyone could ask for. I spent a lot of my childhood outdoors camping, hiking and enjoying family sports days. This was all encouraged by my parents and my amazing Uncle Derek, who arranged all our activities and held our family tightly together. This has played a huge part in helping create what we have accomplished thus far.
Being the son of a builder has enabled me to have the skills and ability to create this setting to help our children flourish. But I cannot take all the credit, as I have had my dad by my side every step of the way, helping to create and build this imaginative setting.
I am so proud that me and Claire, not only have the first, but the only Forest School Nursery in Rotherham. I think the benefits of this Nursery, with the access to the great outdoors is such an asset to our local area and I am very grateful to have the most fantastic team, that support the development of all our children at All Children Great & Small.
Amy Farrimond
Hello, my name is Amy. I am currently working within the explorers group part time. This allows me to also be a mum to my two boys. I have 12 years experience working in childcare and hold a BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies.
I love being part of such an amazing team at All Children Great and Small and feel so privileged to be part of your little ones learning experiences. When I’m not at work I love spending time with my sons, we enjoy being outside as much as possible.
Michelle Hague
Hello, my name is Michelle. I currently work in the Pioneers group. I have experience working locally in Secondary and Primary settings for over 22 years. I am delighted to have joined the team in February 2024. Our forest school ethos in the early year setting is amazing which covers the EYFS framework.
I bring my love for gardening and have been sharing this with your children. The children have been planting seeds, potatoes, onions and nurturing the vegetables and flowers. It is a delight to experience their joy when they come to the allotment area to plant, dig and water their crops. I’m sure in the coming few weeks, months we will be eating our produce.
Your children use so many skills like problem solving, sharing, and helping each other with great teamwork.
Georgia Brookes
Hi I’m Georgia! I have a BA Hons in Childhood Studies. I previously worked in Hyde Park for 2 years as a nursery practitioner alongside children of various ages before starting my journey with All Children Great and Small.
Since being young I’ve had a passion for spending time around children fuelling their imaginations, encouraging exploring adventures, bike riding, climbing trees and creating crafts using natural resources, doing the things children genuinely enjoy. That is why Rotherham’s first Forrest school stood out miles whilst searching for a new role as I had heard of the astonishing benefits and whilst working at All Children Great and Small over the past 2 and half years I have seen how the children develop on a huge scale, covering all areas of the EYFS using their freedom in the outdoor space. I can say I enjoy each day as much as the children and I can’t deny learning a few things too! The atmosphere is certainly relaxed but the learning and engagement is non-stop. I am so thrilled to be part of such a welcoming, kind, greatly experienced team and a brilliant group of children!
Thomas Morgan
Hi! I’m Tom and I’ve been working in childcare since 2014. I have a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and have also completed a course on Outdoor Learning. It’s been my dream to work in a Forest School nursery since doing that course back in 2019. Being outside really helps the children’s confidence, problem solving skills and communication improve among many other benefits.
I have 2 dogs, Max and Luna and enjoy taking them out on walks. I also enjoy live music and collecting nerdy knick-knacks.
I love being outdoors and hunting for bugs with the children and can’t wait to get to know you all soon!
Ellen Bamford
Hi I'm Ellen,
After completing my Level 3 qualification through an apprenticeship I have be able to gain as much experience as I can, and I can’t wait to continue to grow my knowledge and experience even more. I have always had a passion for working with children as I love to be able to help them grow into the wonderful children that we all know they will be! Being able to fuel their imaginations, encourage adventures that they want to take and being creative in any way they wish to be! And I know that I will be able to achieve this at All Children Great and Small as this is what me and my colleagues do every single day for all the children that attended! It’s such a pleasure working with such a passionate team that all love what they do.
Courtney Dooler
My name is Courtney, and I am currently doing my Level 3 apprenticeship at All Children Great and Small where I completed my placement for Level 2. I really enjoy going on adventures and exploring outdoors with the children. I can see the benefits that this has on the children’s development.
Amanda Needham
I am Amanda, I have over twenty years experience in childcare Level 3. I enjoy outdoors and exploring the nature and natural resources around us, in my time at home I enjoy going on walks with my two dogs and family
Carol Bamforth
Hello, my name is Carol and I am a cook within the nursery. I have a Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering qualified as well as Food Allergen awareness trained.
I started at All Children Great & Small in September 2020 and feel so fortunate to work in an incredible environment with such caring and amazing staff members, plus remarkable children. Within my job roll I am privileged to carry out my cooking duties as well as spending time with children at lunch time.
While working within the nursery, I've come to understand how valuable a Forest School is for development of children in early years. I absolutely love all the stories they tell me about the activities they have been up to outside and what they have seeing whilst out on their adventures.
Zoe Brinkhurst
Hi, I’m Zoe, I’ve been part of the team at All Children Great and Small as a bank staff member since February. I work across all three groups and really enjoy the adventures we go on. It is very rewarding watching the children develop as I too develop my own skills in childcare.
Jennifer Fitzgerald
Hi I'm Jen. I’m currently based in the Explorers (2year) room. I hold my Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification which I’ve recently obtained and I now have the profound knowledge in early years to be able to give your children the best start possible. Just before coming to All Children Great and Small I was helping out within a school setting, but after looking into the Forest School approach and their ethos I decided this was more me. Since starting at All Children Great and Small work does not feel like work as much, it is so enjoyable and rewarding and I love being outdoors enjoying and exploring nature! I love being part of each and every little ones learning experience and watching them grow, develop and achieve. Since starting ACGAS I am eager to learn further and I'm currently completing my British Sign Language course and Professional Development programme in order to widen my knowledge.
Bethan Earp
Hi I’m Bethan, a Level 3 qualified Practitioner since 2020 with a passion for childcare, I have a had a range of experience such as working in a primary school and day nurseries since completing my qualification at Doncaster College. It is such a pleasure to watch our children grow and thrive with the opportunities we provide for them at ACGAS.
Outside of work I enjoy being active, days out exploring and spending time with friends and family.
Chloe Henshall
Hi, I am Chloe Henshall, I started at All Children Great and Small on placement and my confidence has grown massively from working here. I am now an apprentice as I love seeing children learn and grow through play and experience new things. I love that children get to encounter the outdoors as well as the indoors, as this gives them more opportunities for their h
Chloe Wright
Hi, I’m Chloe Wright! I have been at All Children Great and Small doing a level 2 apprenticeship since last January. I enjoy all aspects of my work as well as watching the children grow and develop while they are in our setting. I am very happy working in a setting that promotes the very best benefits for children’s learning and development outdoors as well as indoors and I am grateful to be a part of the wonderful All Children Great and Small team!
Hi I'm Kirstie and I have a BA Honours degree in Childhood Studies. I have spent the last 13 years working with both adults and children with special educational needs and complex health needs, as both a teaching assistant and a senior care worker. I have completed some Makaton training in a previous job and I'm very passionate that all children have the opportunity to express themselves in whatever way they can.
I have always been very outdoorsy, whether that's having days out with my own son, going for walks with my little dog or looking after my horses. So once my own son was settled in school and I heard of All Children Great and Small I thought it was the perfect opportunity to use my love for the outdoors and my passion for helping children grow to their full potential by joining the wonderful team at All Children Great and Small.
Leanne Mills
Hi, my name is Leanne. I have been at All Children Great and Small for over 2 years. I work in all the age groups as a bank staff member. I love to be outdoors and being creative with the children. I can see the impact the great outdoors has on the children’s learning and development. I feel so privileged to work alongside such a fantastic, supportive team.
Ebony Law
Hi, I’m Ebony. I am currently doing an apprenticeship at All Children Great and Small to achieve my Level 2 qualification in Childcare.
I enjoy been outdoors and helping the children to learn through adventure and I am glad to be working with such a great team to help to children grow and develop.
Lauren Charlwood
Hi I’m Lauren! I hold a BA Hons degree in Childhood Studies. I have been working at a nursery since completing my degree, and when seeing the first Forest School in Rotherham had opened I knew that’s where I wanted to go! I can see the benefits of this nursery and how great Forest Schools are for the children’s development. Each child’s imagination and confidence are amazing and I just love seeing how happy they are exploring the outdoors. I am so proud to be part of this wonderful team.
Hi I’m Sophie
I am a Practitioner at All Children Great & Small. I have been working with children since I left school in 2014 and since then I have worked in different settings, including a childminders and nursery settings. Since leaving school I have gained all my childcare qualifications with my most recent one being a degree in Children’s Learning and Development. I’ve been working at All Children’s Great & Small since October 2022 and enjoy working in a setting that provides children with so many opportunities to learn and grow as well as having lots of fun.
Victoria Herdson
My name is Victoria however, I like to be called Vicky. I have a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and have worked with children from birth to 5 year olds for over 17 years.
I am very proud to be part of an outstanding Forest School having always had an interest in the ethos, approach and impact this has on children's learning and development.
Working at All Children Great and Small has given me the opportunity to progress in my career and I have recently taken on the role of speech and language lead, I have also enrolled to become a level 3 Forrest school Leader, further enhancing my knowledge and understanding that allows children to achieve their full potential in an environment that is fun, exciting and curious. In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and experience lots of new adventures with our children.
Alexandra Elder
Hi, I’m Alex! I have recently gained a First Class Honours degree in Early Childhood. I also completed a Level 2 Forest Schools qualification whilst at University in Sheffield. I have worked with children in both schools and nurseries and I thoroughly enjoy watching them learn through play and adventure. I enjoy spending time outside and I have witnessed the amazing benefits that outdoor learning has on a child’s holistic development. I am passionate about the All Children Great & Small philosophy and I am thrilled to be a part of the team.
Teresa Wood
Hi, I’m Teresa the manager of our Swinton Nursery, or T to the children! I joined All children Great & Small, as Deputy Manager, back in February 2020.
I have worked with children for roughly 20 years and hold a NVQ level 4 qualification in child development and education. I also hold a level 3 forest school qualification.
My experiences range from working as a nursery practitioner, to managing childcare settings, including owning my own after school and breakfast club, some years ago.
I first discovered the Forest School approach several years ago when I joined a forest school setting in Sheffield, where I soon became manager.
Just before I discovered the Forest School approach, I was feeling disappointed with the monotony of mainstream nurseries. I felt something was seriously lacking in many provisions. I soon discovered the missing component was access to unlimited, natural outdoor play.
I fell in love with the idea of children playing and learning in a beautiful outdoor environment. The benefits to children quickly became apparent to me. Seeing children revile in awe and wonder, as they explore a natural environment, their imaginations sparkling with ideas, is such a reward!
Being part of this inspiring highly experienced team, makes me feel extremely lucky.
The nursery building is beautiful and we have access to many wonderful, natural spaces.
As a team, we share the same child centred approach. Your children are at the heart of everything we do and I could not be prouder to be part of it!