About Red Room Preschool
At Red Room Preschool, we are a dedicated and experienced team with many years of expertise in early childhood education. We are a small, friendly setting located in the heart of Chewton Mendip, right next to the local primary school, providing a welcoming and nurturing environment where every child is valued.
We believe children learn best through play, exploration and meaningful experiences. Our exciting, child-centred curriculum is carefully planned to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence. We balance child-led learning, following each child's individual interests, with adult-led activities that support and extend their development.
Outdoor learning is at the heart of what we do. Children enjoy spending time outside in all weather, exploring nature and developing their confidence, resilience and independence. Our qualified Forest School Leader provides enriching outdoor experiences that encourage children to connect with the natural world and their local community.
We place great importance on building strong relationships with families and creating a sense of belonging within our community. Our planning reflects the children's interests and builds on their ideas, ensuring learning is meaningful, engaging and enjoyable.We place great importance on building strong relationships with families and creating a sense of belonging within our community. Our planning reflects the children's interests and builds on their ideas, ensuring learning is meaningful, engaging and enjoyable.
At Red Room Preschool, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and use the Curiosity Approach to create inspiring learning environments that encourage imagination, independence and a lifelong love of learning. Every child is supported to grow, thrive and reach their full potential in a safe, caring and stimulating setting. Every child is valued and welcome.
Our Team
Our dedicated team of educators at Red Room Preschool is passionate about early childhood education and creating a positive impact on young lives. Each member brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our learning environment, ensuring that every child receives the best possible care and education.
Jenny
Hello, my name is Jenny, and I am the Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Red Room Preschool. I have worked at the preschool for over 12 years and truly enjoy helping children learn and grow in a happy, caring, and supportive environment. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with children, families, and staff to create a welcoming setting where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. After leaving college, I began my childcare career working in a baby and toddler room for two years, where I gained valuable experience supporting young children’s early learning and development. I then worked as a nanny for a lovely family with three children, which was both enjoyable and rewarding. Later, I took time away from work to raise my own children. I am passionate about early years education and strongly believe that children learn best through kindness, creativity, and play. I hold an NNEB Diploma, which has provided me with strong knowledge and experience in childcare and early education. In 2025, I also completed the Early Years Professional Development Programme, further developing my skills and knowledge to support high-quality early years practice. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, I am committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and protection of every child in our care. My role involves supporting staff and families, promoting a safe environment, and making sure safeguarding procedures are always followed carefully and professionally. My role at Red Room Preschool allows me to support both the children and the staff team while ensuring that families feel confident, comfortable, and happy with the care and education we provide. Working with young children has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I take great pride in helping to build strong foundations for their future learning and development.
Alice
My name is Alice, and I have worked at Red Room since my daughter attended at the age of two. After many years of dance training, I went on to teach Ballet and English in schools across Africa. This inspired a passion for working in early years education, using limited resources to create meaningful experiences and supporting children to develop a love of learning and curiosity about the world around them. Upon returning to the UK, I was fortunate to join Norland Nursery, where I gained my Level 5 qualification. Since then, I have worked in early years settings across Bath, Essex and Cambridge, gaining valuable experience and insight into a variety of approaches and practices. Throughout my career, I have become particularly passionate about children’s inclusion, ensuring that every child has access to the right opportunities and environments to support their individual learning style and development. I am the designated SENCO for the setting and always here to support families and children.
Jacquie
My name is Jacquie, and I am the Deputy Lead and Forest School Leader at Redroom preschool. I hold a Level 3 qualification in childcare as well as a Level 3 Forest School qualification. I am deeply passionate about educating children about nature, including how to identify and care for living plants and animals, and fostering a sense of respect and responsibility for our natural world. Forest School promotes the development of confidence, resilience, physical skills, teamwork, creativity, risk-taking, and emotional regulation through outdoor learning experiences. We conduct our Forest School sessions weekly, with our planning aligned to the changing seasons. The children learn various skills, including den building, using simple tools, engaging in creative activities with natural materials, and enjoying plenty of free play in the woods. Activities such as bug hunting, climbing, balancing, fire safety, and exploring the natural environment are integral to our programme. Additionally, I am advocating for the cultivation of vegetables and flowers within our setting, aiming to develop vital life skills through our Forest School activities.
Mel
My name is Mel, I studied for two years to achieve a Level 3 Diploma in Early Years at Norton Radstock College. Following this, I spent a couple of years working in a nursery, where I gained valuable experience in both the preschool room and the baby room. I then embraced a role as a nanny in Bath, caring for three little ones under the age of five, which included travelling on holiday with the family and learning a great deal during that time. After a break to welcome my oldest son, I enjoyed being a mum before returning to work in a baby room at another nursery for nine years, looking after children aged four months to two years. During this period, I had the joy of welcoming another son, and I have cherished my time as a mother to two boys. Most recently, I served as Deputy Manager at a preschool in Wells, where I expanded my knowledge and understanding of leadership within the early years sector. Over the past 16 years, I have truly loved working with children, witnessing their growth, fuelling their imaginations, and building meaningful relationships while celebrating their developmental milestones.
Our Committee of Trustees
As a registered charity, the preschool is managed alongside the team above by a committee of volunteers. These independent volunteers are the trustees who support the preschool through overarching management and funding decisions. We would be thrilled to have other parents, grandparents and those from the wider community join the committee to support the smooth and efficient running of the setting. Please contact redroomcommittee@gmail.com
Safeguarding
If you have any safeguarding concerns or queries, please contact Jenny or Jacquie as our designated safeguarding leads. You are also able to contact Somerset County Council with any safeguarding issue.
https://somersetsafeguardingchildren.org.uk/report-a-concern/