Explorers employs one Supervisor, and two Pre School Assistants. (Deputy Supervisor to be appointed)
All staff have National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 2/3 in Early Years and Childcare and Education.
“The staff’s warm and affectionate manner supports children’s personal development and well-being very effectively. The staff’s strong support and positive role modelling help children to develop respectful relationships with staff and their peers.” Ofsted 2018.
Anna Swinburn
Supervisor/Key Worker
Anna has an NVQ3 Early Years Care and Education qualification and started Explorers with others in January 2003. She has been involved with the education and care of children on a professional basis since 1998, as a development of her involvement in such things as Henstridge “Mum and Toddler Group” and as a committee member for another Pre-School. She has attended many courses run by the Pre-School Learning Alliance and by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. She is our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo), our Designated Safeguarding Lead our Behavior management officer. Anna is also relevantly qualified in First Aid and continues to attend relevant courses to continue her professional development.
Get to Know Anna
My interests include gardening, especially growing my own fruit and vegetables, walking, going to the theatre – I particularly enjoy musical theatre, my favourite being “Hairspray”. I also love going to concerts to watch live groups, I have seen many over the years.
I like to watch cricket matches and enjoy travelling to Taunton to watch Somerset play and I have just re-found my love of netball and play “Walking netball” every week at Wincanton Sports Centre.
Sara Parker
Pre School Assistant/Key Worker
Sara has a Level 3 NVQ qualification in Early Years Care and Education. She has worked with children aged between 1-5 for 12 years, including placements at Stalbridge and Holwell Pre Schools and Templecombe School. She joined Explorers in April 2016, initially to cover maternity leave and then becoming a full time member of the team. She is also our Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
Get to know Sara
I am married with two grown up sons and have lived in Henstridge for the past 24 years apart from a 2-year gap for my husbands’ job, and liked it so much so much that we moved back again.
I am a keen walker and a member of the National Trust so like to be out and about as much as possible either visiting their sites or using the carparks for the lovely countryside and coastal walks. I do have a bike and you might catch me riding it up to Explorers…. fair weather only!
I love Musical Theatre and given the opportunity love to go and see a show either in London or locally. I also like the cinema and go a couple of times a month to see the new releases.
To relax I love to bake cakes but nothing fancy only for family and friend’s consumption.
Angela Taylor
Pre School Assistant
Angela has an NVQ2 level qualification and is a qualified first aider. Angela joined Explorers in March 2013 having previously worked in nurseries and as a child minder. As do all of our staff Angela continues to attend relevant courses to continue her professional development.
Get to Know Angela
I’m 42 years old, most people call me Angie or Ange & I’ve lived in Henstridge for 13 years. I’m a single parent to two daughters; Katie 13, attends KA & Amy 9, attends St Nicholas Primary. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family & friends with trips to the beach, parks, going for walks, eating out & of course the occasional nice gin goes down well too!….but so does coffee & cake!