Meet the team

All of our experienced key persons hold an Early Years Level 3 qualification or above. Two of our practitioners have Qualified Teacher Status.


Helen Smith, Pre-School Manager / SENCO / Deputy DSL

Manager, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, SENCO

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Helen Smith, Pre-School Manager / SENCO / Deputy DSL

Manager, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, SENCO

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Saira Shahzad

Deputy Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead

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Saira Shahzad

Deputy Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead

I am a mum of three children, and my youngest attended St. Martin's preschool, where I decided to work with children.

I have a MA degree in Statistics from overseas. I am a qualified Early Years Educator and Teaching Assistant with a passion for working with early years children. I have recently completed my ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) training which gave me a wider picture to support children's emotional well-being.

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Nancy Blaker

Office Manager

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Nancy Blaker

Office Manager

I enjoy the variety of my role at the Pre-School, dealing with finance, admissions, funding, staffing and the day to day running of the setting.

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Samantha Manzambi, QTS

Third in Charge

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Samantha Manzambi, QTS

Third in Charge

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Michele Roberts

Early Years Educator, Health and Safety Officer

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Michele Roberts

Early Years Educator, Health and Safety Officer

My two girls, one of whom is in her 30's, attended St Martin's Pre-School many years ago and I have never left since! It is obvious that I thoroughly enjoy working at the Pre-School and my role helping the children to grow and develop to their best potential! I am the Health and Safety Officer and enjoy this additional part of my role.

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Nia Owen

Early Years Educator

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Nia Owen

Early Years Educator

I joined St Martin's at the beginning of the new academic year in September 2020. I am a qualified Nursery Nurse and have worked with early years children for over 20 years!

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Sandra Barrow

Early Years Educator

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Sandra Barrow

Early Years Educator

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Jane Humphries, QTS

Early Years Educator (Bank)

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Jane Humphries, QTS

Early Years Educator (Bank)

I live in Epsom, close to the pre-school, so love my short walk to work and time spent with the children. I have always worked within education and enjoy the variety of activities within sessions at pre-school. I love Makaton signing and sing in an inclusive choir.

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Tina Fox

Early Years Educator (Bank)

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Tina Fox

Early Years Educator (Bank)

I have worked in education and childcare for over 30 years! Throughout that time I have worked in a variety of settings. I joined St Martin's Pre-School in 2020.

As a member of bank staff I very much enjoy working both one to one, and with small groups of children, to support their learning, through play-based activities.

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Frankie Taylor

Early Years Educator (Bank)

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Frankie Taylor

Early Years Educator (Bank)

I have two sons, one who previously attended and my youngest who is currently at the pre-school. I am a qualified Early Years Educator and joined as a bank member in 2020. Over the years I have thoroughly enjoyed working at the Pre-School with such a fantastic team in this nurturing environment.

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Aareka Phillips

Early Years Assistant (Bank)

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Aareka Phillips

Early Years Assistant (Bank)

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Elaine Hutton, QTS

Early Years Educator (Bank)

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Elaine Hutton, QTS

Early Years Educator (Bank)

Before becoming a mum I was a primary school teacher, working mostly in EY and KS1. My child came to this pre-school and we both loved it. I’m delighted to be working here now.



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Fay Todd

Early Years Assistant (Bank)


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Fay Todd

Early Years Assistant (Bank)


I'm Fay i am new to the early years sector after being a mum and a carer . I am enjoying something new. To be able to support the children in their learning journeys and caring for them as they grow and develop.

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Emily Clarke

Early Years Educator (Bank)


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Emily Clarke

Early Years Educator (Bank)


I have worked as a qualified early years educator for over 13 years. I recently joined St Martin's Pre-School team (November 2024) and find working with children rewarding, watching them learn, grow in independence and improve their social skills before transitioning to school!

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Our practitioners regularly attend training courses, to update and develop their knowledge and skills. All practitioners with key children, hold a current First Aid certificate. Disclosure and Barring Service checks are carried out on all new members of staff. All staff subscribe to the DBS Update Service, ensuring that their record is always up to date and can be checked and confirmed at any time.

A few words from a parent...

Such a fantastic Pre-School, lovely environment and nurturing staff. I am prepared to go out of my way, so that my child can attend.

- Jane Smith

Contact Us

If you have any questions, please let us know and we would be happy to help.

Parents/carers are welcome to visit us with their child. We have many visitors and therefore like to arrange appointments.

You can contact us each weekday, between 8.30am and 3pm on:

01372 721111

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