About

Why choose Maryland?

Experience

Our staff are experienced and highly qualified with paediatric first aid, SENCO, Makaton and British sign language expertise, so you can be confident your child will be left in capable and caring hands. We maintain a high staff to children ratio at all times.

Support

Your child is assigned a key person who offers support and friendship for both you and your child, crucial when settling in and for continued stability.

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Traditional

We are a traditional community pre-school that operates within school hours and keeps to a typical EYFS school timetable which includes free play, carpet time and phonics sessions. This helps to give your child the best possible preparation for school.

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Outdoor Play

Our outdoor play area is extensive  and includes an award-winning flower and vegetable garden tended by our children. Outdoor play is encouraged daily, when weather permits, Forest School sessions are normally held weekly during the first Autumn half term and the Summer Term in neighbouring woodland offering children a rich variety of environments in which to play, explore and learn. During the present Covid restrictions Forest school skills are limited to experiences in the Maryland garden.

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Family

When your child joins Maryland we welcome you as well as them to the Maryland family. We encourage you to get involved with your child's development by keeping you regularly up-to-date with their progress and inviting you to join our committee.

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Flexible

We have flexible session times available and will do our very best to accommodate your child on the days and times you request. We take childcare vouchers and are registered for 15-hour early years government funding for 2 and 3 year olds.

Who we are

Staff

Committee

Staff

Pam Hick - Manager / Health & Safety Officer

GBSM: Graduate of the Birmingham School of Music

ABSM (Piano Teaching)

PGCE: Primary with Specialist Music

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Bekki Flory - Deputy Manager

Level 3 Diploma Children's Care & Development

Level 2 Diploma Health & Social Care

Training in child behaviour and child psychology

Level 4 online SEND qualification

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Henrietta (Henny) Edward-Few - Pre-School Assistant / Forest School Leader

Diploma in Theatre Studies I.S.T.D.R.A.D

NVQ level 2: Early Years Care & Education

Qualified Forest School Leader - Level 3

Responsibility for drama, language and literacy

Gardening in award winning Maryland Garden

Fluent German speaker

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Sally Pyle - Pre-School Assistant / Designated Safeguarding Officer

NVQ Level 2: Early Years Care & Education

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Coralie Butler- Pre-School assistant

Level 3 Diploma NNEB

Dedicated first aider

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Orfana Isaacson -Supply Pre-School Assistant

BSc (Hons) Geography

Level 3 Diploma Children & Young People

Professional Qualifications in Design & IT

Fluent Urdu speaker

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Jane Pepler - Pre-School Assistant

BA (Hons) Oxon Geography

Formally Marketing Manager/Business Consultancy

Previously Maryland committee member/safeguarding and advertising roles

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Dawn Gould -Supply Pre-School Assistant

Experience in children’s ADHD ASD & PDA

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Emma Culmer - Supply Pre-School Assistant

Registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance

Diploma in Performance studies

Previous Maryland Committee member

Committee

Maryland is administered by a voluntary committee of parents and members of St Leonard's Church. They are responsible for setting policies, managing and engaging staffing, fundraising and organising social events including regular coffee mornings. Recent events have included stimulating talks by phonics specialists and head teachers from local primary schools. Being a member of the committee is an enjoyable and incredibly rewarding experience, giving you greater involvement in the vitally important early stages of your child's education. If you are interested in joining, please talk to a member of staff.

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Chairperson - Andrea Hayers

Treasurer - Katie Flory

Secretary - Jo Clare

Safeguarding Officer -Karen Wyllie

Daniel Stocker

Margaret Mee

Lucy Hussey

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The Role of the Maryland Voluntary Management Committee:

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1. Determine Maryland's mission and vision

2. Strategic Planning

3. Formulate Policy

4. Approve and Monitor Maryland's programmes and services

5. Ensure financial stability

6. Provide fiscal oversight and sound risk management

7. Select and support the manager and review performance

8. Understand and respect the relationship between committee and staff

9. Act as a responsible employer

10. Enhance Maryland's public image

11. Select and induct new members to the committee

12. Conduct efficient committee meetings

What people say about Maryland

"Although she has only been at Maryland 1 year it seems that from the word go she has slotted in so easily and I'm sure that's because of your warm welcome and the confidence you gave her."

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"Thank you so much for teaching, nurturing, disciplining, encouraging and loving J over this last year. You are truly an exceptional team."

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"What more could I have hoped for the beginning of my child's school life!"

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"Thank you for helping J become the confident, caring, helpful and energetic little boy that he is. He has loved his time at Maryland and will miss it loads. You do a wonderful job."

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"Great caring environment."

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"A very caring learning environment. A lovely introduction to learning."

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"Fantastic grounds. I travel five miles for my child to attend."

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"Maryland provides children with the freedom to develop within a secure framework."

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"A very high level of pastoral care."

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"My children love Maryland and continue to have very happy memories of their time there long after they have left."

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"Maryland has helped us to give our daughter the best start educationally and socially and provided spiritual direction."

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"Maryland has a wonderful feeling to it and having a team of staff that are experienced provides the necessary assurance for parents."