top of page

 

Meet the Poppets Staff


Our staff would like to tell you a little about themselves:-

original?tenant=vbu-digital

Laura Phillips

Owner and Manager

I am the owner of Poppets​ Pre-School. I have worked in childcare for 23 years in many different roles; I have been a Childminder, Nursery Nurse, Learning Support Assistant and Wra​paround Care Manager. I set up ​Poppets Pre-School in January 2009.

I have various childcare qualifications and in 2010 I completed my Foundation Degree in Early Years. I am the Safeguarding Lead for the pre-school.

I am married and have four children, Chloe (24), Jack (18), Harry (11) and Alfie (4) as well as two dogs called Gus and Lulu! I have lived in North Kingston all my life and went to a local pre-school and school.

I was fortunate enough to have had a very loving, happy childhood and try my hardest to provide the same for my own children. I base my care for the children at Poppets on what I would want as a mother and feel honoured that parents choose us to play a part in such a special time in their children’s lives.

As a parent of a child with additional needs I am very passionate about supporting any child with SEND. In recent years this has become a focus for Poppets and we are proud to care for a number of children with autism, speech and language difficulties and global developmental delays.

original?tenant=vbu-digital

Angela Beazley-Long

Deputy Manager

Hi, my name is Angela Beazley-Long and I am a Deputy Manager. I have worked here for the past ten years and have a Level 3 qualification in Pre-school Practice and an up to date First Aid certificate.

I have lived in this area all of my life and actually went to Latchmere Primary School as a child, then onto Hollyfield Secondary School, where I met my husband. We have three children - Katie 24, George 22 and James 20. None of them are living at home at the moment; Katie lives with her friends in Hammersmith, George went to University in Cornwall and decided to stay, and James is completing his last year at Nottingham University studying Aeronautical Engineering.

We have a Labradoodle dog called Poppy, who is only two years old. We enjoy taking her for lots of lovely walks in this fantastic area, spending lots of time in Richmond Park or down by the river. I am also in charge of looking after the rabbit at Poppets and care for him during the school holidays.

I feel very privileged to work at Poppets and really enjoy my job. I love to see how the children grow in confidence and ability during their time with us. I am very proud of the importance role we play in their educational journey……also we have lots of fun!!

original?tenant=vbu-digital

Ella Beeler

Deputy Manager

My name is Ella and I am 25 years old! 

I have a little girl, Ivy, who is four years old and attended Poppets! 

I have lived locally to Kingston my whole life. I attended Teddington School where I gained my GCSE’s before going to Kingston College to get a qualification in hairdressing. 

I joined the Poppets team in December 2021 and have really enjoyed getting to know the children and parents! I have a level 3 qualification in Early Years Education as well as having Paediatric First Aid, Food and Hygiene, Prevent Duty and in-depth knowledge of Safeguarding. 

I am currently studying for my level 5 qualification in Early Years Education.  I look forward to completing my training and qualifications to be able to give every child the best support they deserve!

​

original?tenant=vbu-digital


Ellie Sherain

 

Pre-School Practitioner

My name is Ellie and I have lived in Kingston for most of my life. I attended Latchmere Primary School and Grey Court Secondary School, achieving 9 GCSE’s. I am one of three siblings; Charlie (20) and Louie (4).

I joined Poppets in September 2021. I have always loved being around children, so I am very happy to have been offered an apprenticeship at Poppets studying a Level 2 Diploma as an Early Years Practitioner to extend my career in childcare. 

I have been coaching gymnastics since I was 14 years old at a recreational club, where I will be completing my Level 1 gymnastics coaching course.

In my spare time I enjoy travelling and spending time with friends and family.

 

​

Leanne photo_edited.jpg

Leanne Griffiths

 

Pre-School Practitioner

My name is Leanne.  I was born and raised in Kingston to a very large family of ten children, of which I am the eldest.  I have four children of my own, three boys - Camran (16), Aryan (12) and Marcellus (7) and one girl, Kyra (8) plus a dog called Shadow.  All of my children have attended Poppets Pre-School.

I have a CACHE level 2 diploma early years practitioner qualification and I am due to complete my level 3 by the end of this year.  I currently hold qualifications in Paediatric First Aid, Prevent Duty, Level 2 Child Protection and Supporting Children with SEND.

I have worked for Poppets on and off for almost five years.  Working here has been a lovely experience for me, as I feel at home with all the staff that are so familiar to me and my children.

Children has always been something that came naturally to me perhaps from having so many younger siblings but I honestly enjoy the unpredictability that little ones bring, whether it's a new achievement or an inquisitive but completely random question! Being able to support their little minds grow is a beautiful thing to witness and something I hope to do for a long time.  

original?tenant=vbu-digital

Sandra Murmann

Pre-School Practitioner

Hello!  My name is Sandra and I have been working at Poppets for seven years, as an Early Years practitioner. I previously worked as a Treasury Assistant prior to Poppets. After starting a family I became interested in Early Years Education and Childcare.

I moved from Chiswick to Kingston upon Thames in 2013 with my family, as we were looking for more outdoor space and good schooling. I am married and have two sons, who are 14 and 16 years old.

I have completed my Level 3 Certificate in Childcare, First Aid training and Safeguarding Children (Level 2). I really enjoy working as part of the Poppets team, and I love spending time with the children. I love being a part of their lives and development.

In my spare time I like walking with my children in Richmond Park and along the Thames path. I love baking cakes and biscuits with my family and looking after my vegetable garden. 

original?tenant=vbu-digital

​Danielle Ryan ​

Hello my name is Danielle. I’ve worked in childcare for 18 years now in different settings and roles. I’ve worked in nursery settings, child minder’s settings and have been a nanny for two local families.

I have an NQV level 2 and 3 in childcare, as well as training in first aid, safeguarding level 2 and basic food hygiene.

I have been lucky enough to travel a lot before having my own child.  My favourite place to travel to is New York which I have visited five times. My most memorable place was Jamaica. I was very fortunate to live and work there for a charity called ‘Projects Aboard’. I worked in the parish of Mandeville where I helped to care for the children and prepare activities with the very little resources they had for the children in the village.

My daughter is called Leia and attends a school locally; she will soon be 8. Last year we decided to buy out first kitten called Tommy and he is almost one year old. We spend a lot of our weekends away in Eastbourne and Kent where we stay with family.

I’m looking forward to meeting all the children of Poppets and getting to know each child’s likes and interests.

Pre-School Practitioner
original?tenant=vbu-digital

Lois Bridgen

Pre-School Practitioner

Hi, my name is Lois and I am 16 years old. I live locally with my family and puppy (Sid). My older sister (Ella) also works at Poppets, and my niece attends Poppets.

I attended Meadlands Primary School and then moved onto Grey Court School where I obtained seven GCSEs.

During the Summer I was extremely happy to be offered an apprenticeship at Poppets, in which I will be undertaking my Level 2 Early Years qualification. I am really looking forward to learning more about children’s development, as well as getting to know and caring for the children at Poppets.

Since joining, I have already undertaken training and obtained qualifications including: a Level 2 in Safeguarding and Child Protection, An Introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage, Prevent Duty and British Values and other relevant Early Years training.

During my spare time I love to spend time with my family and friends, as well as going out for dinner, shopping and the cinema!

bottom of page