The owners and operators of Woodpeckers Private Nursery are Jeff and Deirdre Micklewright.
Our staff range in age and experience. Jeff is a trained teacher with many years experience in Primary Schools. In his last school he was Deputy Head before setting up the nursery with Deirdre. Deirdre also has experience in Primary school, as a teaching assistant, and with other staff has a level 4 qualification, as well as starting a Foundation degree.
Our staff have been chosen for their caring personalities and aptitude for working with children. Many of us have also had the experience of raising our own children, and even grandchildren.
Many staff have now completed NVQ level 3 training through West Suffolk College whilst working with us, and others are training at present.
Early Years Teachers
Two valued members of our staff; Emily Porter-Howe and Hannah Castle both hold degrees and are now qualified in the Early Years Professional Status. Their knowledge and training is a huge asset to Woodpeckers Nursery.
The Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) programme is a training programme set up to help practitioners become excellent graduate leaders in the Early Years sector. EYPS is the only professional graduate accreditation for the Early Years workforce, endorsed by government and increasingly recognised as the credential for leading practice in Early Years provision
Special educational needs coordinators
The role of the SENCo is crucial for early years settings in supporting early identification and intervention for children with special educational needs.
The SENCo is responsible for maintaining a setting's recording and documentation process with respect to special educational needs, liaising and working with the parents, securing training for workers and liaising with outside agencies with respect to a child's special educational needs.
We have two dedicated staff who are SENCo trained.
Health, safety & child protection
You can rely on Woodpeckers Nursery to provide day care and after school care in a safe environment.
All staff hold First Aid and Food Hygiene certificates, and undertake child protection training.
All staff and volunteers are checked through the Criminal Records Bureau with enhanced disclosures before being able to work at Woodpeckers.
Students also have a similar check through the college before training with us and are constantly supervised.
Key Practitioners
Every child at Woodpeckers is allocated a Key Practitioner.
Suffolk County Council supports the development of high quality early education in a variety of ways. This includes support, advice and guidance from the area educational teams and comprehensive training programme. A number of practitioners have been identified who have strengths in a particular area, these are called Key practitioners. We use elements of their good practice to share with colleagues.
The Key Practitioner meets the needs of each child in their care and responds sensitively to their feelings, ideas and behaviour. The Key Person will offer security, reassurance and continuity, and they will usually be the one to feed, change and soothe your child. They are in the best position to understand your child's individual needs and to share information with you about your child’s experiences in nursery.
The Key Practitioner will help each of their children to develop relationships with other members of staff and children. They will observe them in their play so that they can plan future opportunities and experiences that best meet their needs and interests.
Jeff
Manager and Proprietor
Jeff set up Woodpeckers Nursery, with his wife Deirdre in 2001. Jeff holds a teaching certificate and has 27 years experience in schools, the last 7 years as deputy head in a Primary School. Jeff has always loved children and wanted to teach, and has now spent a lifetime doing so.
In his spare time Jeff enjoys golf, gardening, time with family and his grandchildren and holidays when possible.
Deirdre
Manager and Proprietor
Deirdre set up Woodpeckers, with her husband Jeff in 2001. Before this Deirdre worked in primary schools and has completed her level 3 and 4 in childcare. Deirdre began by setting up and leading the baby room at Woodpeckers, instilling a family, home from home feel to the environment.
Deirdre enjoys spending time with her family and grandchildren. She loves days at the seaside and walks with her family dogs.
Sarah D
Sarah D is part of the Management Support Team. Sarah is acting manager when Jeff or Deirdre are offsite. Sarah is also actively involved in supporting all of our team in the development of our learning environments, the implementation of our curriculum and supporting reflective practice, and has over 27 years experiance in Early Years & Childcare. She is also a Seniour Early Years Educator who supports the Bright Butterflies & Curious caterpilliar Rooms and a level 3 SENCO.
Sarah was a Key Practitioner and has also been an Early Years trainer for Suffolk County Council.
Sarah Started an Early Years career by chance when her children joined a local pre-school. She then managed that setting for 27 years and is passionate about improving outcomes for young children and supporting families. In her spare time she loves spending time with her family, grandchildren, and friends. She is a fan of walking, dancing, gardening, and watching films.
Sarah M
Sarah is part of the Management Support Team and a member of the Safeguarding Team. She is also Joint Lead Early Years Educator in the Curious Caterpillars Room
Sarah has worked at Woodpeckers since 2005. She holds a level 3 in childcare and education and also completed playworker training.
Sarah pursued a career in childcare due to the caring and friendly atmosphere. Sarah enjoys fitness and has recently completed her first 10k event. Sarah enjoys running and is now training for a half marathon. In her spare time Sarah enjoys reading books, cycling and running.
Phillipa
Phillipa is a Joint Lead Early Years Educator in the Busy Bees Room. She has a Level 3 qualification in early years childcare and education, and specific training in working with babies.
Phillipa started at Woodpeckers in May 2018, adding to the 'family' ethos of Woodpeckers by joining her mother, Deirdre, and her father, Jeff.
Phillipa's prior experience with children comes from previously helping at the nursery for our baby sessions and from babysitting her niece and nephew, as well as other children. Phillipa previously studied Graphic Design at University and decided to use her degree within the nursery and through being creative with the children.
In her spare time, Phillipa enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as going shopping.
Andrea
Andrea is a Senior Early Years Educator in the Busy Bees Baby Room.
Andrea has worked at Woodpeckers since 2013. Andrea trained in another Private nursery where she completed her NVQ level 2 and 3 in childcare and development. At Woodpeckers Andrea has continued with her professional development completing her SENCo qualification.
Andrea has always enjoyed looking after her nieces and nephews and comes from a big family. Andrea finds her role at Woodpeckers very rewarding when seeing a child reach their personal goals and being part of their learning experiences. Andrea likes helping children in collaboration with parents.The recognition from parents gives her role real worth.
In her spare time Andrea enjoys spending time with her animals and going to horse shows and being with her son.
Liam
Liam is a Senoir Early Years Educator in the Busy Bees and the Curious Caterpillars rooms, and is a Fire Marshall.
Liam has a level 3 qualification in Early Years Care and Education and has additional training to support the development of babies. Liam joined us as a student in 2020 and has been with us ever since.
Chloe W
Chloe is an Early Years Educator in the Busy Bees Room.
Chloe is a studying for her Level 3 in childcare.
Marie
Marie is a Joint Lead Early Years Educator in the Curious Caterpillars Room.
Marie returned at Woodpeckers in January 2020, having previously worked here for 12 years. Marie holds a level three qualification in childcare.
Marie's mum encouraged Marie to pursue a career in childcare too. Marie loves to provide a happy, caring and stimulating environment and watch children learn, grow and develop.
Sam
Sam is a Senior Early Years Educator in the Curious Caterpillars Room.
Sam joined us in Jan 2024 and is already a hit with the children and staff. She is supporting Emma as a Room Leader to cover maternity leave for Marie. She holds a Level 3 Qualification in Early Years Childcare and Education and has previous experiance in other nursery settings.
Tiffany
Tiffany is an Early Years Educator in the Curious Caterpillars room and Busy Bees Rooms.
Tiffany joined the team as a volunteer in 2022, and joined the team when she was employed in 2023. Tiffany is a level 2 practitioner working towards level 3.
Tiffany is very bubbly with an infectious laugh. She loves working closely with the children and families.
Sharon
Sharon is an Early Years Educator in the Curious Caterpillars Room as an apprentice.
Sharon has years of childcare knowledge and is refreshing her qualification and studying for her level 3 in childcare.
Carol
Carol is a Senior Early Years Educator in the Bright Butterflies Preschool Room
Carol has worked with us at Woodpeckers since 2004. She has an NVQ 2 and has completed a diploma in level 3 childcare. Carol works in childcare because she enjoys working with children and supporting them in their learning and development.
In her spare time Carol enjoys listening to music, walking, gardening and zumba.
Mia
Mia is a Senior Early Years Educator in the Bright Butterflies Room.
Mia joined us in January 2024 and is already a hit with the children and other staff. She has previous early years experiance. She has a level 3 qualification in Early Years Childcare & Education.
She loves to keep fit and also makes beautiful soaps.
Ruby
Ruby is an Early Years Educator in the Bright Butterflies Room.
Ruby joined is for part of her Level 3 childcare course as a student and qualified this year. She has been supporting as lunch cover and is now part of our permenant team.
Ruby loves all things dance related.
Becky
Becky is an Early Years Educator in the Bright Butterflies Room.
Becky joined us in 2023 and has a Level 3 Teaching assistant qualification, and has worked primarily in early years, she also has lots of experiance supporting children with additional needs. Becky has her Level 3 SENCO qualification and is part of the SENCO Team.
Becky soon settled into the team and has a bubbly peronality which makes her a hit with the children.
Sophie
Sophie Joined us in March 2025 as an Early Years Educator in Bright Butterflies. Sophie has a Level 3 in Childcare and BA Hons Applied Sport. She has been in childcare for 5 years and has experiance of different settings and ages.
Sophie loves sport especially football and golf.
Tia
Room Support Early Years Educator in the Bright Butterflies and Curious Caterpillars Rooms
Tia has worked at Woodpeckers since September 2018. Tia has alsways wanted to work with children and undertook a work placement with us prior to starting here as an apprentice. This then led to Tia qualifying as a level 3 practitioner and joining our team of staff.
In her spare time, Tia enjoys reading, puzzles and days out with family.
Lorraine
Lorrain is our Catering Manager and has a Level 2 in Food Hygiene and Food Allergy Training.
Lorraine has worked at Woodpeckers since 2015. She enjoys making delicious home made, healthy meals, for the children.
Lorriane is married with two boys, and her hobbies include reading and hill walking.
Kayleigh
Kayleigh joined us a an apprentice in 2024 she is based in the Curious Caterpillars Room for her training. Kayleigh is completing a Level 3 Qualification in Early Years Childcare & Education.
Important Notices
** Please be aware we are now fully booked in all rooms until the end of summer 2026. If you wish to book a show around and be added to our waiting list we can arrange this. We would then contact you if we have any cancellations or changes**
CURRENT OPENING HOURS:
OPEN ALL YEAR (excluding bank holidays & Christmas week)- We offer term time only places as well as all year places.
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