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.
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.
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 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.
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 become a parent helper or join our committee.
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.
Staff
Pam Hick - Manager / Health & Safety Officer
GBSM: Graduate of the Birmingham School of Music
ABSM (Piano Teaching)
PGCE: Primary with Specialist MusicHealth
Leads worship at St Leonard's Church
Fiona Smith - Deputy Manager / Reserve Safeguarding Officer
BA (hons) and MA in Archaeology
Level 3 Diploma: Children and Young Peoples - Workforce
Diploma in Pre-school Practice
SENCO Practitioner
ECAT Trained (language development)
Sue Drewett - Pre-School Assistant
NVQ Level 3: Children's Care, Learning and Development
NVQ Level 2: Early Years Care & Education
Dedicated First Aider
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
Sally Pyle - Pre-School Assistant / Designated Safeguarding Officer
NVQ Level 2: Early Years Care & Education
Bekki Flory - Pre-School Assistant
Level 3 Diploma Children's Care & Development
Level 2 Diploma Health & Social Care
Training in child behaviour and child psychology
Coralie Butler- Pre-School assistant
Level 3 Diploma NNEB
Orfana Isaacson - Pre-School Assistant
BSc (Hons) Geography
Level 3 Diploma Children & Young People
Professional Qualifications in Design & IT
Fluent Urdu speaker
Jane Pepler - Pre-School Assistant
BA (Hons) Oxon Geography
Formally Marketing Manager/Business Consultancy
Previously Maryland committee member/safeguarding and advertising roles
Michelle Gorman - Pre-School Assistant
BSL Level 1
Art Foundation and experience in art galleries and shops
Fluent French speaker
Dawn Gould - Pre-School Assistant
Experience in children’s ADHD ASD & PDA
Jo Jennings - Supply Pre-School Assistant
Experienced in child care and food hygiene
Overseas commercial experience
Seniors' Pastoral Leader at St Leonard's Church
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.
Chairperson - Andrea Hayers
Treasurer - Katie Flory
Secretary - Jo Clare
Safeguarding Officer -Karen Wyllie
Daniel Stocker
Margaret Mee
Joanna Pearce
The Role of the Maryland Voluntary Management Committee:
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Determine Maryland's mission and vision
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Strategic Planning
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Formulate Policy
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Approve and Monitor Maryland's programmes and services
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Ensure financial stability
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Provide fiscal oversight and sound risk management
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Select and support the manager and review performance
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Understand and respect the relationship between committee and staff
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Act as a responsible employer
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Enhance Maryland's public image
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Select and induct new members to the committee
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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."
"Thank you so much for teaching, nurturing, disciplining, encouraging and loving J over this last year. You are truly an exceptional team."
"What more could I have hoped for the beginning of my child's school life!"
"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."
"Great caring environment."
"A very caring learning environment. A lovely introduction to learning."
"Fantastic grounds. I travel five miles for my child to attend."
"Maryland provides children with the freedom to develop within a secure framework."
"A very high level of pastoral care."
"My children love Maryland and continue to have very happy memories of their time there long after they have left."
"Maryland has helped us to give our daughter the best start educationally and socially and provided spiritual direction."
"Maryland has a wonderful feeling to it and having a team of staff that are experienced provides the necessary assurance for parents."