Nicola Howard

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner

Nicky volunteered for Little Birds for about a year before applying to become a member of our team. She went on to study at Bournemouth and Poole College for her level 2 qualification in childcare and in September 2022 she was awarded her NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner. Nicky is our Tortoise expert and looks after Gary during the holiday periods. Nicky has 3 children, 1 of which attended little birds. Nicky enjoys walking and exploring our beautiful countryside and Jurassic coastal walks. Nicky is Level 3 Paediatric First Aid trained.

Jodie Edmunds

Preschool Leader and Designated Safeguarding Officer and SEND Co- ordinator.

Jodie has been working at Little Birds since April 2015. She started as a preschool practitioner moving up to Deputy and then moved to Preschool Leader in January 2018. Jodie has a CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young peoples workforce QCF Early years qualification, and holds a BA (Hons) degree in Childhood and Youth studies with Upper second class honours. Jodie is also the setting Designated Safeguard Lead and a SENDCo. As of November 2024 Jodie holds EYTS. Jodie is also Level 3 Paediatric First Aid trained. Jodie is married with 2 children and 2 cats and a Dog and lives in Swanage having grown up here. Jodie likes to relax at her weekly yoga class and get out in the bay with her paddleboard.

Lucy Moloney

Early Years Practitioner

Lucy's back ground in wedding planning means she is very organised and pays meticulous attention to details, she has grown up in a neuro diverse household and has a lot of experience supporting people with diverse needs. Lucy has a wicked sense of humour and brings a great energy to our team.

Karen Crooks

Level 3 Practitioner

Karen is a very experienced Level 3 practitioner. Karen holds a Level 3Diploma for the Children and Young peoples workforce; Early learning childcare pathway.  She has worked in Early years education for many years, and has a beautiful calm aura about her! A popular member of Little Birds with children and staff alike. Karen joined us from another Pre School and we feel very lucky to have her. When Karen is not at Little Birds you’ll find her hairdressing or looking after her beautiful Granddaughter. She has recently welcomed a Grandson to her family. Karen loves cruising with her Husband, we only wish the Little Birds uniform was available in sequins! Karen is Level 3 Paediatric First Aid trained.

Tracey Gardner

Early years practitioner and SENDCo.

Tracey started with Little Birds as a bank staff practitioner and was a Primary School Teaching assistant for many years. She is now a permanent member of the team and is a SENDCo and an experienced 1:1 practitioner. Tracey lives with her family in Swanage and is our local ‘Pound fit’ instructor. Tracey loves being outdoors and looks after the preschool garden. She is often cooking up a storm in the mud kitchen! Tracey is vibrant and is full of fun, loud, energy! Tracey is Level 3 Paediatric First Aid trained.

Kathryn Cooke

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner

Kathryn joined the Little Birds team, first as bank staff, in 2021 before becoming a permanent staff member in 2022, after her daughter attended and loved Little Birds. She moved from Wiltshire where she previously led children's tours and activities in museums and taught as a Primary School teacher. Kathryn holds a Post Grad Certificate in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status. She is married with one child and in her spare time enjoys walking, singing, reading and getting messy with arts and crafts. Kathryn is Level 3 Paediatric First Aid trained.

Tracey Westall

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner

Tracey joined us in 2022 having retired from teaching in primary schools for 23 years (she isn't as old as she looks). Tracey wanted to work with Little Birds because she enjoyed working with younger children, she finds the imagination of younger children fascinating so where better to be than with Little Birds. Tracey holds a pre 2014 Diploma in Pre-School practice, Preschool Learning Alliance. Tracey has lived in Swanage for a long time and loves where she lives when not at the pre school you will see her out cycling, sea kayaking and reading. Tracey is Level 3 Paediatric First Aid trained.

Abi Notley

Finance and Office Administrator

Abi is our Preschool administrator, she is there to look after all things funding and Admin related. Abi's youngest son attends Little Birds so when the opportunity for a position came up she jumped at the chance to work with our lovely team. Abi lives with her husband, three children and lots of pets. When not at Little Birds you will catch Abi out walking her dog and spending lots of time with friends and family. Abi is Level 3 Paediatric First Aid trained.

Julie-Ann Redout

Deputy Leader, Designated Safeguarding Officer Level 3 Early Years Practitioner

Julie-Ann joined us in September 2023 and in 2026 was appointed as our Preschool Deputy Leader, she has Level 3 NVQ and diploma in the early years workforce. She is passionate about providing a nurturing and caring environment for children! When not at the preschool Julie-Ann has a very busy time looking after her two lovely boys and is mostly stood pitch side cheering them on. Julie-Ann is very passionate about netball and regularly competes in a local league. Julie-Ann is Level 3 Paediatric First Aid trained.

Kadia Wilson

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner

Kadia pemanently joined our team in September 2024 having been on our bank staff for a little while. Kadia has 3 boys one of which attended Little Birds, you will mostly find her at the side of a football pitch most weekends but when she isn't a football Mum you may also see her at the skate park! Kadia is Level 3 Paediatric First Aid trained.

Helen Dowdell

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner

  Helen has been with us since January 2023, she has a wealth of knowledge in Early Years having run her own sensory classes and has spent time as a teaching assistant. Helen has two wonderful grown up boys so when she isn't at preschool she dedicates her time travelling up and down the country to see them.

Izzy Taylor

Level 2 Early Years Practitioner

Izzy joined us on an apprenticeship, after completing her level 2 qualification she is now going on to do her level 3 NVQ in early years. Outside of Early years Izzy loves to travel and attends lots of music concerts too.

Lani Lawton

Early Years Practitioner

Lani was a parent of Little Birds so when an opportunity to work with us came she jumped at the opportunity and even more exciting from September she will be starting her apprenticeship to gain her level 3 NVQ in early years. Lani has two children at home but also makes time for some wonderful DIY and craft projects - she is also a very talented singer!