The Stepping Stones Team


Meet the Staff


Rose Dodd

                      Manager (Over 27 years at the setting).

CCLD/NVQ Level 3

Early Years Foundation Degree, level 5

Safeguarding Level 4

Safe recruitment level 4

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

SEN co-ordinator

Food and Safety Training Level 2

PREVENT training

Paediatric First Aid

The Role of the Behaviour Management co-ordinator. Level 3

Children's Mental Health

Defib training



 Ruth Kitchen

   Deputy Manager (24 years at the setting)

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

CACHE Level 3

EHA 2019 Training

Safeguarding Level 4

Food and Safety Training Level 2

PREVENT training

Paediatric First Aid

Children's Mental Health

The Role of the Behaviour Management co-ordinator. Level 3

Sensory Processing Level 1


 



Kerri Standen

BEd (Hons) Oxon

Qualified Teacher Status

Advanced Skills Teacher

Previous position - Acting/Deputy Headteacher

Effective Safeguarding Practice level 2

Safer Recruitment level 4

Food and Hygiene level 2

Sensory Processing Level 1

Allergywise for families and carers of preschool children.

PREVENT Duty in an Early Years Environment level 2.

Vice Chair/secretary on Stepping Stones Committee

5 years at the setting




Kirsty Gibson

CACHE Level 2 Childcare and Education (Working towards Level 3 in Childcare.)

Safeguarding Level 1 including FGM and Hidden Harm

Food and Safety Training Level 2

PREVENT training

                                                                                Paediatric First Aid                                                                             

 Children's Mental Health

Allergy-wise for families and carers

The Role of the Behaviour Management co-ordinator. Level 3

 Health and Safety Co-ordinator

 Fire Marshall and Warden

  5 years at the setting



Lucy Bayliss

NNEB level 3

Paediatric first aid

Food and hygiene Level 2

The Role of the Behaviour Management co-ordinator level 3

Children's Mental Health







Meet the Committee



Chair – Ian Clayton.

I have been Chair of Stepping Stones since October 2019. I was honoured to be asked to be Chair as the pre-school has a special place in the hearts of both myself and my wife. The first time we walked into the Setting we knew that this was the right place for our daughter to thrive. It was warm, friendly and felt like family. Both our children have attended and benefited from the wonderful care and education from our staff. I’m proud to be Chair and support the team to do what they do best, give our wonderful children the best start in education. I work for the Environment Agency as a Flood Forecaster on the Rivers Severn, Trent and Wye, and  as a Product Manager for our new Incident Management Forecasting System. In my spare time I enjoy football, cricket, gardening, and historic mechanical engineering (planes, trains and automobiles).



Vice Chair – Kerri Standen. 

When I moved to up to Staffordshire in 2014, I stumbled across Stepping Stones whilst googling childcare settings for my then 2 year old son. I emailed Rose, went in for a chat, and never looked back. Everyone was so welcoming, friendly and accommodating, and I knew I'd found a gem! So, when I saw that they needed Committee members, it seemed like the perfect way of trying to give something back to the setting. I joined the Committee in 2016, taking on the role of Secretary and then became Vice Chair as well in 2018. My work background is in education - I am a qualified teacher. I had teaching and leadership roles in three Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes schools between 2001 and 2014. Since 2016, I have been working at Stepping Stones, as relief staff and as a key worker for the older children who will be starting in reception class the following September. I love it here, both as a parent and staff member, and am passionate about giving our wonderful Stepping Stones children the best possible start to their educational journey.



Treasurer – Jude Williamson. 

I have been Treasurer for Stepping Stones for over ten years.  I have also been a parent and staff member.  I love this place - hence the reason I have stayed so long!  The role on the Committee gave me back so much it’s hard to say why I have enjoyed it so much - self-confidence after leaving the workforce for a long period, opportunities to try new skills and learn new things with the fundraising events (I can now operate a candy floss machine, make canapes for over forty people and run a successful gin bar!).  This role also led to a job and friends within the staff.  Stepping Stones is a family - there to help, encourage and thrive.  The role of Treasurer is an important one as it keeps the Setting viable for the future but I have loved doing the books, learning new computer skills and making a difference in our community.  The support within the Committee and Pre-School is fantastic and I would highly recommend anybody to take on a role.




Secretary- Emma Wicks

 I joined the Stepping Stones Committee last year to help support fundraising activities and have recently taken on the role of Secretary as well. I was very keen to join the Committee when the opportunity arose as it was a way of giving back for the support, love and guidance that the setting has provided for my two daughters over the last 7 years, initially as a baby and toddler group, and then as an excellent pre-school. As a new mum 7 years ago I was apprehensive and nervous about childcare but my girls and I instantly felt welcome and supported. Stepping Stones has been a huge part of our lives and I feel very lucky to be able to support and help it. Before taking a break from employment to raise my children, I worked in mental health and volunteered in fundraising, and it's been great to feel part of such a wonderful team again.




Committee Member – Charlotte Duffy. 

I am a new member of the Committee at Stepping Stones preschool joining in October 2020. My daughter who is 12 months old has just started and previously both of my son’s attended. I have known the team at Stepping Stones for almost 11 years now, I can truly say that I wouldn’t have sent my children anywhere else.  I would describe it as ‘home from home’ and would refer to all the staff as ‘family’.  Stepping Stones is a very special place, where all my children have been embraced and nurtured into the amazing individuals they all are.  The team have also supported me personally as a parent over the years and they have given me faith and confidence in my ability as a parent. I am eternally grateful and as a member of the Committee, really hope to give something back to such an amazing establishment.




Committee Member – Hannah Evans. 

I have recently joined the Stepping Stones Committee, I was born and raised in Alrewas and attended stepping stones myself many years ago. My son currently attends so I have witnessed first-hand the amazing work Stepping Stones do for children and their families. I’ve worked in the finance industry for nearly 10 years after attending Staffordshire University. I still live locally and I hope to give back to the community as I am passionate about helping Stepping Stones continue to thrive.