First Class Day Nursery Ltd
TEAM
The Directors
Mrs Sharon Goate
Bachelor of Education, University of Kent at Canterbury
Dip.Psyc.Counselling BACP (Accred)
Early Years Professional Status
Upon leaving school Mrs Goate attended the South East Essex Sixth Form College. She worked in infant schools and playgroups in the Benfleet area whilst studying for 'A' levels. During this time she was also the assistant leader of a brownie pack and a leader with a prominent children's holiday organisation working with children aged 6-10 years. From 1979 -1981 she attended Christ Church College of Further Education in Canterbury, Kent where she worked in local primary schools, nurseries, playgroups and youth clubs. An extensive part of her degree course was devoted to the teaching of reading and working with pre-school children. After graduating as a Bachelor of Education she was appointed as an infant teacher at a local preparatory school. From 1981 -1984 she worked with children aged 3-5 years, and from 1984 - 1988 with children aged 6-8 years.
In January 1989 Sharon co-founded the First Class Day Nursery School. In 1997 Sharon trained and qualified as an inspector of nursery provision for the Department of Education and Employment. She is a qualified and accredited counsellor/psychotherapist In February 2007. Sharon became one of the first to achieve Early Years Professional Status in the country. She also inspects, advises and teaches at local universities. She is the mother of two children.
Mrs Virginia Baker
BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies and Early Years Professional
Foundation Degree in Early Years and Education
Upon leaving school Mrs Baker worked in local church playgroups with children aged 3-5 years. She attended Colchester College of Further Education for two years where she attained her Nursery Nursing qualification. During this period she worked in nursery and infant schools in the Chelmsford area, and also worked with special needs children. After qualifying Mrs Baker worked for a number of years as a nanny to two families with children aged from 2-5 years. In 1984 she joined the staff of a local preparatory school as a remedial teacher and was then appointed as an infant teacher, working with children aged 4-6 years, a post that she held for four years.
In January 1989 Ginny co-founded the First Class Day Nursery School. Ginny attained her BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and Education and has also gained her Early Years Professional Status. Ginny is the mother of two children.
The Principals
The principals also hold many current certificates including First Aid, Food Hygiene, Baby Signing, Baby Massage, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities and Special Needs.
Both Mrs Goate and Mrs Baker have experience in working with high achievers and in working with children with learning difficulties and special educational needs, i.e. speech and hearing problems, dyslexia and autism. They have worked closely together for many years and the nursery therefore offers a consistent approach to every area of your child's development. They have personally experienced the difficult task of maintaining their careers and bringing up a family. They realise that childcare outside the family home is a serious issue and that parents need to have complete confidence in their chosen childcare facility.