The Wigwam Team
We've hand-picked a friendly and experienced team that feels privileged to nurture every child in our nursery.
High standards of excellence are ensured by rigorous training, meaning we can deliver the genuine attention to detail we want for our own children.
The Tiny Turtles Team
Nicole Odell – Room Leader
My qualifications: NVQ Level 3, food safety, Paedeatric First aid
I have worked at The Wigwam since 2008 and have been a childminder since
2006, as well as being busy with my own three children. I love children and
have now fulfilled my ambition of gaining my Level 3
qualification at college. My mother works at The Teepee, so we are really
keeping it in the family.
Ciara Mortley – Early Years Practioner
My qualifications: NVQ Level 3, food safety, Paedeatric First aid
I started working at The Wigwam 2009, after completing my NVQ Level 3 at college and working in a large local nursery. I enjoy working with the younger children and particularly like working with the babies and toddlers. I love swimming and travelling abroad especially to the Far East.
Donna Geary – Nursery Assistant
My qualifications: food safety
Profile coming soon
Lizzie Glover – Early Years Practioner
My qualifications: NVQ Level 3, food safety, Paedeatric First aid
Profile coming soon
The Scampering Squirrels Team
Steph Golder – Deputy Manager
My qualifications: NVQ Level 3, food safety, Paedeatric First aid, First Aid at work
I joined the Wigwam in 2009 from Inglewood House, where I worked and completed my training. I have recently started running and enjoy running for local charities. I like shopping, being creative and listening to music. I am hoping to run the Reading half marathon in the near future and then maybe move on to do the full marathon.
Sheena Wall – Nursery Assistant
My qualifications: food safety, Paedeatric First aid
I started working in the childcare sector since November 2007 and have
worked with at The Wigwam since 2008. I have also worked as a volunteer for
many organisations. I have two older children. My hobbies are gardening,
cycling, crafts and actively participating in events at the Woodley Baptist
Church. I love coming to work and being with the children.
Lauren Delander – Assistant Early Years Practioner
My qualifications: NVQ Level 2, food safety, Paedeatric First aid
I started working on the support team at the Teepee in 2008 and I am now studying for my NVQ level 3. I was so excited to have a permanent position at the Wigwam based in the Scampering Squirrels.
Samera Choudry – Early Years Practioner
My qualifications: NVQ Level 2, food safety, Paedeatric First aid
I started working in child care at the age of 17 and really enjoy spending time at The Wigwam. I have worked at the Wigwam since 2007. In my spare time I enjoy reading and long bike rides. I started working as part of the reserve team but am now based in the Scampering Squirrels.
The Dancing Deer Team
Jodie Silvey – Nursery Assistant
My qualifications: food safety
I began working at The Wigwam in 2009 as a volunteer and am now working full time and working towards my NVQ level 2 and then hopefully moving onto to do my level 3. I really enjoy my job and am learning lots of new things with the children. In my spare time I love to dance to hip hop and dance music. I also enjoy singing which comes in handy at the nursery!
Ceri Allen – Assistant Early Years Practioner
My qualifications: NVQ Level 2
Profile coming soon
Debbie Sadiq – Third in charge
My qualifications:
In 2002 I qualified in Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education at Reading College. I am very enthusiastic and love working with children. I take great pride and satisfaction knowing that the children within my care are happy and thriving within their environment. In my spare time I enjoy listening to music, playing tennis and taking part in most other sports - in the battle to stay fit!
The Support Team
Emma Tennant – Owner
My qualifications: BSc (Hons), RM, BSc (Hons), RGN, NVQ Level 3, Food Safety Level 2 , Child Protection Training Level 2, Fire Warden, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid
I'm the joint owner of the nurseries with Rebecca, my sister and I tend to spend the majority of my time at The Wigwam where I am involved on a day to day basis. I trained as a nurse at university and then went onto do my midwifery training. Before having Phoebe and Benedict, I also worked for Johnson & Johnson. Like Rebecca working for both the public sector and in business has given me a unique perspective of running a day nursery. I'm the nominated person for Safeguarding Children at The Wigwam. I am also a governor at my children's school and I also help to run Sunday school sessions at my church.
Rebecca Platt – Owner
My qualifications:
BA (Hons), NVQ Level 3, Food Safety Level 2, Fire Warden, First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid
I'm the joint owner of the nurseries with Emma, my sister and I tend to spend the
majority of my time at The Teepee where I am involved on a day to day basis. I
left university and went to work in the Police, where amongst other departments
I worked in the child protection unit and police training college. Before having
Howard and Edie, who have also attended the nursery, I worked as a Management
Trainer at Woolworths Head Office. I've now gained my Early Years Professional
Status (Level 6) from Reading University, which is the equivalent of a teacher
for nurseries and I am working alongside the team to keep everyone up to date
with this prestigious course.
Emma Matthews – Nursery Manager
My qualifications: Foundation Degree L5, food safety, Paedeatric First aid, First Aid at work
I joined The Wigwam in 2008 after working locally for a large national chain. I am currently in my final year of my Foundation Degree at Bracknell
and Wokingham College and so am keeping at the forefront of early years research and practice I have then been accepted onto a Early Years
Professional course at Reading University. I am appointed person for Inclusion (behaviour management, special educational needs and equality and diversity) and this is a role that I really enjoy doing because I find them intersting and contimuing to learn.
Emma Gealy – Health & Safety Manager
My qualifications: NNEB, food safety, Paedeatric First aid, First Aid at work
I have over fifteen years childcare experience and started working with Emma and
Rebecca at The Teepee back in 2002, then jumped at the chance of moving to
Reading when The Wigwam was taken over. I enjoy socialising and horse riding in
my spare time. I am the nominated person for Health & Safety, Fire and COSSH, as
these are areas that I am really passionate about.
Jane Gollop – Nursery Chef
My qualifications: IMD level 3, Food Hygiene, food safety
I have worked at the nursery since 2002, cooking and planning the children's menus and worked before that before and after having children in other jobs in catering. I have gained the 5 Star Food Safety Award repeatedly for the nursery. I am a mother of two and also have one granddaughter too.
Email the Chef with any questions you have.
Erin McGuire – Nursery Adminstrator
Profile coming soon
Christabelle Menezes-Sachdev – Quality Manager
My qualifications: Master of Arts
I joined The Teepee in November 2007, when my eldest was at nursery and now I work between Bracknell and Reading. I am a mum of three, and my youngest son still goes to The Teepee. Previously I worked for an event management company and an export house in Mumbai. I speak Hindi and Marathi.
Amanda Brookman – Book-keeper
My qualifications: AAT
I am a mum of three. I used to work with a solicitors firm in Bracknell and moved
to work for The Teepee and The Wigwam in 2008. I enjoy going to concerts and to
the theatre in my spare time. I work remotely now from the Isle of Wight where I
has recently moved to with my family.
The Reserve Team
Emma Smith – Dancing Deer Reserve
My qualifications: NVQ Level 3, food safety, Paedeatric First aid
Profile coming soon
Nicola Hatton – Dancing Deer Reserve
My qualifications: NVQ Level 3
I qualified in 1999 as working with children has always been a strong interest of mine. I find it is a good challenge and very rewarding. In my spare time I like to socialise with friends, listen to music, and read books.