Sarah Moon-Gatford

Nursery Manager

'Little Miss All-rounder' 

"Our work 'mum' who is full of ideas, is helpful, dedicated, imaginative, upbeat and a jack of all trades!" [Team Incy Wincy's, Sept 2017]

Joined June 2014

Professional Qualifications:

• Early Years Teacher Status, Outstanding Level (July 2015)
• Bachelor of Science (Hons) Open (December 2010)
• Certificate in Early Years Practice (December 2005)
• Diploma in Pre-school Practice, Level 3 (August 2003)

Training:

• Advanced Safeguarding Training for the Designated Safeguarding Lead (September 2022)
• Paediatric First Aid (June 2022)
• Food Allergy & Intolerance Training, FSA (May 2021)
• Home Office Prevent Online Training (updated, May 2021)
• Forest School First Aid (June 2019)
• Safer Recruitment (Currently being renewed, November 2023)
• Home Office Recognising & Preventing FGM (June 2017)
• Anaphylaxis Awareness (March 2017)
• Home Office WRAP Training (October 2015)
• LSCB Child Protection - A Refresher, Level 2 (February 2014)
• Working Together to Understand the Child Protection Conference Process (November 2010)
• Food Allergy Awareness for Childcare (March 2015)
• Food Safety in Catering, Level 2 (July 2014)

Continuing Professional Development:

• NYCC Safeguarding Early Years Masterclass (October 2022)
• NYSCP Developments in Safeguarding Mini Masterclass (May 2021)
• ITC Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership (began studying October 2018)
• Safe Sleeping for Babies - Reducing the Risk of SIDS (June 2017)
• Promoting Positive Behaviour (September 2014, updated February 2017)
• Wingate Conference - Celebrating Childhood (May 2016)
• Making Maths Counts in the Early Years (March 2016)
• Mini Bus Driver's Review (February 2016)
• Reflections Approach Training Day - Telling Stories (October 2015)
• Sing & Sign (June 2015)
• Leading Good Autism Practice (June 2015)
• Wingate National Conference - Creativity Culture (June 2015)
• Fostering Creativity and Imagination Conference (March 2015)
• Nutrition & Healthy Eating (January 2015)
• Forest Schools Introduction (November 2014)
• Makaton Foundation Workshop (October 2014)

Currently Studying: 

Key Areas: Kitchen Garden & the Natural World, Maths Champion, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Movement Play

Hobbies/Interests:  I love being outdoors whatever the weather gardening or walking, then have the joy of going onside to cook or curl up and read a book.

Tell us a little about your background...

I joined the Incy Wincy team in 2014, having worked in a variety of childcare roles in North Yorkshire over the past 19 years. I began as Play Leader at Thornton Watlass Playgroup and later managed a nursery in Harrogate. I am a Early Years Teacher, have a BSc (Hons) Open and have a particular interest in children’s Movement Play developing project with Jabadao, which I hope to continue in the future.

Michelle Williams

Deputy Manager

'Little Miss Fizzy'

Joined November 2019 [Maternity leave 29th September 2024 to 30th June 2025]

Professional Qualifications:

• Level 3 BTEC, Children's Care, Learning & Development (July 2013)

Training:

• Physical Activity in the Early Years (February 2024)
• How to Secure Effective Interactions (February 2024)
• Safer Recruitment (Currently being renewed, November 2023)
• Food Allergy & Intolerance training, FSA (May 2021)
• Level 2 Introduction to Child Protection, NDNA (November 2019)
• Home Office Prevent Online Training (November 2019)
• Certificate in Understanding Autism, Level 2 (September 2019)
• Paediatric first Aid (12hrs), EYears Ltd (October 2018)
• Fire Warden Safety Course, SAFE I.S. (April 2018)

Continuing Professional Development:

Currently Studying:Safer Sleep reducing the risk of SID

Key Areas:

Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy spending time with family, visiting different cities, watching Disney films

Tell us a little bit about you...

I've worked in early years for over 5 years and moved to North Yorkshire from Bristol after getting married last summer.  It is a well known fact among my family and friends that I am obsessed Disney!

What skills do you believe you need to work with babies?

A calm and patient attitude, anyone working with babies needs to take time to learn how they communicate their needs.  While their mummy and daddy has an instinctive understanding we need to work a little harder as each baby is different, at Incy Wincy's we do a home visit for each child and these are the perfect opportunity to learn from the experts - the babies parents!  

What do you enjoy most bout working with the under 2's?

It is amazing how much a baby or toddler learns in those first few months.  Anyone working with babies knows how special it is to be their as they achieve certain milestones, seeing the pride their parents have during those moments. Of course there are lots of giggles and cuddles in the room too.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

America, to visit Disneyland of course

What would you like to achieve in the future at Incy Wincy's?

I'd like to build on the success Incy Wincy's has already had, the Bumble Bee Room team has some new members and I'd like to support them as they bring their own ideas and skills into the nursery.  Who knows we may go for another award to reflect how special our under 2's rooms are.

Michelle's top tip...

Always talk to babies and toddlers, they need to hear words to learn them.

Megan Hoskins

Deputy Manager (Maternity Cover)

'Little Miss Comforting'

Joined October 2014

Professional Qualifications:

• Diploma in Childcare and Education, Level 3 (2015)
• Paediatric First Aid (2021)

Training:

• ELearning Basic Awareness Child Protection (June 2015)
• Sing & Sign (June 2015)
• NDNA, Working with Babies (October 2015)
• HENRY (Health, Exercise and Nutrition for the Really Young) (January 2017)
• Promoting Positive Behaviour (February 2017)
• EQUIP Super Skills Training: Visual Perceptual Skills (November 2020)
• Food Allergy & Intolerance Training, FSA (May 2021)
• Home Office Prevent Online Training (May 2021)
• Strengthening Language Support in the EYFS at Early Excellence (February 2024)

Currently Studying: 

Key Areas: 

• Schemas
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• Deputy Maths Champion (from 2024)

Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family, preferably at my favourite place - the beach.  I started cheerleading nine years ago, practicing and competing regularly.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

You say you are particularly interested in working with children 2-3 years old; what is it that interests you about this age group?

The children in this age group are discovering and learning new things all the time and it is wonderful to see their enjoyment and wonder. There is something very special about sharing things with children for the first time and seeing how they react. I really enjoy building relationships with all my key children and supporting their developing interests.

What activities do you believe bring the most fun and laughter to the children?

Messy play always creates a lot of excitement in the Ladybird room. We are so lucky to have such a large art area where the possibilities are endless!  Gloop and painting are firm favourites for both the children and adults.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I'd love to go to Canada; it's a country of extremes, from cosmopolitan cities to vast wildernesses, and with hugely differing temperatures across the seasons. 

Megan's top tip...

"Children are not things to be moulded, they are people to be unfolded".