Our Early Years Team
Our Team are what makes our Nursery such a magical place, having a rich variety of skills and talents across different generations. As we get to know our families, we hope this Meet the Team information will enable you to get to know us too! Here you will find a little bit of information on each member of our nursery team along with a photo to help you recognise us as you get to know the Explorers team.
Team Nest
Mrs Riley, Early Years Phase Leader
BA (Hons) Early Years Care and Education, PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status
Over 10 years service
"Having grown up in the New Forest and now living locally with my husband and son (and two cats), I have worked in a range of childcare settings and have been part of Team Hordle for more than ten years, working in Early Years education for more than nineteen. I love working with young children and I believe it is a true privilege to care for and educate your young children.
In my spare time, I enjoy walking in the forest and along the cliff tops and spending time pottering about in my garden. During the school holidays, I love nothing more than exploring and visiting new places or escaping to the mountains for some skiing or hiking."
Mrs Ewing, Deputy Nursery Manager
BA (Hons) Open (Education, Childhood & Youth), Early Years Initial Teacher Training
Over 8 years service
"I have been working within Early Years for more than fourteen years and have been at Hordle since 2016. We moved to the New Forest in 2015 from London and I still consider myself so very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
I am an animal lover and enjoy taking care of our pets at home - our tropical fish, two rabbits, one hamster, our horse Rosie and our three owls. I am not blessed in the art of cookery (as my family delight in telling everyone) but I do enjoy baking. I also enjoy being creative and am currently trying to build and decorate my own dolls house. Mostly though, I enjoy reading and spending time with my husband and our two teenage children. I have brought my love of reading into Nest by creating a welcoming book corner."
Mrs Gibbons
NNEB Nursery Nurse
Over 20 years service
"Having originally trained as a nursery nurse I have spent the majority of my working life in Early Years settings although I spent a short time working for a company that gold plated taps and water fittings! We moved to the New Forest in the year 2000 and I have been a member of Team Hordle since then.
My husband and I have two grown up children and three gorgeous grandchildren. Our family love to come and visit and spend time exploring the beautiful New Forest and beaches together; there is usually some sort of picnic involved too. I enjoy spending time in the garden although I’m not sure I have very green fingers. It’s always a lovely surprise when a plant decides to grow well. One of my favourite ways to relax is to curl up with a cup of tea and enjoy reading a good book."
Miss Aucott
Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
"I have had the privilege of working in a range of different childcare settings, working with children aged five years and under. I started my career in a small town in Oxfordshire before moving to the New Forest in 2009.
I am a single mum to two children and we have two pet rabbits, Bingo and Lola who we love very much. I love everything about the countryside, from going for walks in the forest to driving my dad’s vintage tractors when we get the chance to visit my parents in Oxfordshire. I like spending time at the beach making various creations in the sand and collecting shells. I love to cook with my children and we often enjoy singing and dancing to the radio in the kitchen whilst cooking. I love to sing and I was once a head chorister in my local church! I also like to read when I get a few minutes. I can’t wait to get to know you and your child this year and help them along their journey at Hordle Explorers."
Mrs Petherham
"This is my first position in an Early Years setting and I am loving it. Previously I had been running my own furniture painting business but felt that now was the right time in my life to begin a new adventure, having always wanted to work with children and have now embarked upon Early Years Education training at Hordle Explorers. I love the great outdoors and you will find me in my spare time enjoying long distance coastal or forest walks often accompanied by either my three children or three mini sausage dogs!
I am so looking forward to helping your little ones enjoy all the amazing opportunities that this beautiful setting of both learning and play have to offer."
Miss Fletcher
NCFE L2 for the Early Years Practitioner
"My name is Jasmine and I really enjoy working at Hordle Explorers. I have completed my Level 2 Early Years qualification and I am working towards my Level 3. I am currently learning to drive and in my spare time I like to bake and cook."
Team Wild
Mrs Riley, Early Years Phase Leader
BA (Hons) Early Years Care and Education, PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status
Over 10 years service
"Having grown up in the New Forest and now living locally with my husband and son (and two cats), I have worked in a range of childcare settings and have been part of Team Hordle for more than ten years, working in Early Years education for more than nineteen. I love working with young children and I believe it is a true privilege to care for and educate your young children.
In my spare time, I enjoy walking in the forest and along the cliff tops and spending time pottering about in my garden. During the school holidays, I love nothing more than exploring and visiting new places or escaping to the mountains for some skiing or hiking."
Mrs O’Connor, Deputy Nursery Manager
BA (Hons) Early Childhood
Over 5 years service
"I have worked in a number of Early Years settings for many years now and always seek out new professional learning. I love nature and being outdoors and it is a real privilege to be able to share and nurture this passion in the Wild garden with the nursery children each day. I like to keep houseplants but I am very much a novice horticulturist, and always appreciate tips and advice – especially about growing fruit and vegetables, and even identifying the weeds from the flowers! My husband and I have four children ranging from eleven to twenty three years old. Our cats, Captain Englebert and Lord Montgomery, and dog, Lady Winnifred, complete our very big family and together they all keep us very busy! In my spare time, I like camping, traveling by train to explore new countries and places, and relaxing with a good book."
Mrs Gibbons
NNEB Nursery Nurse
Over 20 years service
"Having originally trained as a nursery nurse I have spent the majority of my working life in Early Years settings although I spent a short time working for a company that gold plated taps and water fittings! We moved to the New Forest in the year 2000 and I have been a member of Team Hordle since then.
My husband and I have two grown up children and three gorgeous grandchildren. Our family love to come and visit and spend time exploring the beautiful New Forest and beaches together; there is usually some sort of picnic involved too. I enjoy spending time in the garden although I’m not sure I have very green fingers. It’s always a lovely surprise when a plant decides to grow well. One of my favourite ways to relax is to curl up with a cup of tea and enjoy reading a good book."
Miss Cardamone-Ward
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner
"I have been working at the nursery at Hordle for more than four years now after finding my passion for working with young children whilst coaching at a gymnastics club in London, which I still do during the school holidays. Since moving to the New Forest I have discovered how much I love spending time at the beach and going for walks in the forest. I also love spending time with my young nephew and taking him swimming and to the park. I’ve always been very active - I did gymnastics and dance throughout my childhood and teens and have continued to stay active by going to the gym and going on long walks with my family and friends."
Mrs Absalom
Level 2 Diploma for Early Years Practitioner
"I have previously worked with children in various settings and I’m really enjoying my time with team Wild. My favourite job is being a mummy but I’m also lucky I still get to sing and dance professionally with a local company. I also like taking my dogs for a walk and going shopping."
Mr Ewing
"I have just completed my A-Levels and I am currently learning to drive, and hope to take my test soon. In my spare time, I enjoy socialising with my friends and listening to music. I also have a stick insect called Twiglet. I have joined the team as an Apprentice and I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know the children in Team Wild. I also work at After School Club so your children may see me there too!"