Our Team

Vicky

The Stacey Pre-School Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead

Vicky brings over 18 years of experience in Early Years education and is passionate about providing the very best care, education and opportunities for every child at The Stacey Pre-School.

Holding a Level 3 qualification in Childcare, Vicky is also our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). She oversees the day-to-day running of the Pre-School, ensuring that high standards of care, education and safeguarding are maintained throughout the setting.

Vicky provides guidance, support and mentoring to our dedicated team, maintaining oversight of children's learning experiences, interactions, wellbeing and individual development. She is committed to creating a happy, nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, develops confidence and is encouraged to reach their full potential.

As the first and only Forest School Association-accredited Early Years setting in Portsmouth, we are proud of our commitment to encouraging children's independence, resilience, creativity and love of nature. Although Forest School was a new approach for Vicky when we first opened, she quickly embraced its philosophy and developed a real passion for outdoor learning and is now a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader. Vicky is enthusiastic about making the most of our wonderful outdoor spaces and providing opportunities for children to explore the wider community.

Vicky firmly believes that strong partnerships with parents and carers are fundamental to achieving the best outcomes for children. She is passionate about building positive, trusting relationships with families, ensuring they feel listened to, involved and supported. By working closely together, Vicky and the team work with parents to understand each child's individual needs and provide the encouragement and opportunities they need to flourish.

Above all, Vicky is dedicated to making The Stacey Pre-School a place where children are happy, families feel welcome and every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Childcare Level 3
Designated Safeguarding Lead Level 3
Forest School Leader Level 3 - Accredited by The Forest Schools Association
Safer Recruitment in Education Level 2
Paediatric First Aid
SEN Level 2
Food Hygiene Level 2
The Prevent Duty in Early Years
FGM Awareness Training
Neurodiversity Profiling Tool
Safer Sleep Training

Justyna

Forest School Leader

Justyna brings a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and experience to The Stacey Pre-School. With over 18 years of experience working in Early Years childcare and Forest School settings, she holds a Level 4 qualification in Childcare and is a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader, accredited by the Forest School Association.

Passionate about outdoor learning, Justyna wholeheartedly embraces the Forest School ethos and believes in the wonderful benefits that learning through nature brings to children's development, confidence, independence and wellbeing.

Through our Forest School programme, Justyna creates exciting, hands-on learning experiences that encourage children to explore, investigate, be curious and develop a lifelong love of the natural world. From bug hunts, den building and woodland crafts to campfire cooking and discovering the changing seasons, her sessions offer endless opportunities for adventure, creativity, problem-solving and teamwork.

Justyna is also fluent in Polish and German, which has been particularly valuable in supporting children whose home language is Polish. Her ability to communicate with children in their first language helps them feel welcomed, secure and included as they develop their confidence and English language skills.

Committed to her own professional development, Justyna is also working towards her Level 3 Early Years SENCo qualification, further strengthening her knowledge and understanding of how to support children with additional needs.

Justyna's warmth, creativity and infectious enthusiasm for the outdoors make her a wonderful member of The Stacey Pre-School team, and she takes great pride in helping every child grow in confidence, develop new skills and experience the magic of learning through nature.

Childcare Level 4
Forest School Leader Level 3 - Accredited by The Forest Schools Association
Forest School First Aid
EY SENCo Level 3 (current programme of study)
Safeguarding Level 2
Food Hygiene Level 2
Food Allergies Awareness
The Prevent Duty in Early Years
FGM Awareness Training
Safer Sleep Training

Shanice

The Stacey Pre-School Deputy Manager & SENCo

Many of our parents will recognise Shanice, as she has been working alongside our Pre-School team since February this year, providing valuable support by covering staff absences, training days and holidays. We are absolutely thrilled to now be welcoming her into a permanent leadership role!

Shanice is a qualified Level 3 Early Years Practitioner and also holds a Level 3 SENCo qualification, specialising in Early Years. She brings valuable knowledge, experience and a real commitment to supporting the individual needs of every child.

Since joining us, Shanice has also enthusiastically thrown herself into our Forest School ethos, embracing our love of outdoor learning and the wonderful opportunities it provides for children to explore, discover, take risks, build confidence and develop their independence.

In her new role, Shanice is very much looking forward to working closely with the Pre-School team to ensure that The Stacey Pre-School continues to provide high-quality early years education and care in a happy, nurturing and inclusive environment and is keen to embed the Forest School ethos

A particular focus for Shanice will be supporting children with additional needs, working in partnership with parents and carers, and helping to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, develop confidence and reach their full potential.

Childcare Level 3
Designated Safeguarding Lead Level 3
SENCo Level 3 with Early Years specialism
Paediatric First Aid - current study

Lauren

Pre-School Practitioner (Level 6)

Lauren previously worked with us as a bank staff member when we first opened in the Summer of 2022, so to be able to welcome Lauren back as a permanent member of our Early Years team has been amazing as she is familiar with our setting, our approach to early years education and the nurturing environment we strive to create for every child.

Lauren holds a BA in Early Childhood Studies, which she achieved six years ago, and brings valuable knowledge of child development, early learning and the importance of providing high-quality care and education.

Passionate about supporting young children, Lauren is committed to creating a warm, inclusive and stimulating environment where children feel safe, valued and confident to explore, learn and develop at their own pace and has continued her own professional development by undertaking SEN training at Level 2. She shares our belief in the importance of learning through play, encouraging independence and providing meaningful experiences that nurture children's natural curiosity.

As a mum to her own pre-schooler, and with another little one on the way next year, Lauren also brings a personal understanding of the joys and challenges of raising young children. This helps her appreciate the importance of building strong, positive relationships with parents and carers and working together to support each child's individual journey.

Childcare Level 3
Paediatric First Aid
SEN Level 2
Safeguarding Level 2
Food Hygiene Level 2
Food Allergies Awareness
The Prevent Duty in Early Years
FGM Awareness Training
Forest School Level 1
Safer Sleep Training

Samantha

Pre-School Practitioner (Level 3)

Sam brings a wonderful wealth of knowledge and experience to The Stacey Pre-School, having spent over 30 years working in childcare and as a foster carer. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of children's individual needs and the importance of providing a safe, nurturing and supportive environment in which every child can thrive.

Sam works alongside our Pre-School team to provide invaluable support with her extensive experience, caring nature and flexible approach make her a valued member of our wider team.

With her background in both childcare and fostering, Sam understands the importance of building positive, trusting relationships with children and helping them feel happy, secure and confident. She shares our commitment to child-centred learning, inclusion and providing high-quality early years education, ensuring that every child feels valued, supported and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Sam's warmth, patience and years of practical experience are a wonderful asset to The Stacey Pre-School, and we are delighted to have her as part of our team.

Childcare Level 3
Safeguarding Level 2
Food Hygiene Level 2
The Prevent Duty in Early Years

Lynda
Pre-School Co-ordinator & Centre Manager

Lynda plays a key role in the management, operations and financial administration of both The Stacey Community Centre and The Stacey Pre-School, helping to ensure that both organisations run smoothly, efficiently and sustainably.

Having been involved with The Stacey Community Association for many years, Lynda has a strong connection to the local community and a genuine commitment to the work of the charity. She originally supported the Association as a volunteer and subsequently served as Chair of the charity for four years, before moving into her current role.

Lynda works closely with Vicky and the Pre-School management team, providing essential operational, administrative and financial management support behind the scenes. Her work helps ensure that the setting is well organised, appropriately resourced and able to continue providing a high-quality early years education in a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment.

Although much of Lynda's work takes place behind the scenes, her contribution is invaluable. She takes great pride in helping to create an environment where our dedicated practitioners can focus on what matters most – providing wonderful learning experiences and opportunities for every child to flourish.

Safer Recruitment in Education Level 2
The Role of Trustees in Delivering the EYFS
Safeguarding Level 2
Paediatric First Aid
Implementing the GDPR
The Prevent Duty in Early Years
FGM Awareness Training
Food Hygiene Level 2
Food Allergy & Intolerance
Lone Working
Safer Sleep Training

Trustee Committee
The Stacey Community Association

Our amazing Trustee Committee of The Stacey Community Association are responsible for the management and administration of The Stacey Community Centre and for the governance of The Stacey Pre-School. Their role includes overseeing governance and strategic direction of the Pre-School, making sure the charity fulfils its charitable obligations and are the legal employers of all staff.

The trustee role includes:

Ensuring The Stacey Pre-School complies with legislative and regulatory requirements.
Acting in the best interests of the Pre-School and all beneficiaries of the charity.
Participating in the medium and long term planning process of the Pre-School
Visiting the setting to maintain strong links with staff
Serving and participating in meetings relating to auditing, curriculum planning and delivery, financial planning and staffing, as well as ensuring the welfare of all the children and staff in our setting.

Our trustees bring a diverse range of skills and experience to our Pre-School and to our charity. Our trustees provide support and planning to ensure that The Stacey Pre-School is a fun, inclusive Early Years setting where children are welcome, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment.

We welcome any member of our community to join our trustee committee and particularly seek representation from our Pre-School parents as we recognise the important of their contribution and their voice. We hold an Annual General Meeting in December each year when new trustees are elected. All of our trustees are DBS checked and must be contactable by phone or email. Please speak with Vicky or Lynda if you would like further information on how you can become a trustee or how you can otherwise support the Pre-School.

Julie Nethercote

Julie is the Chair of the Stacey Community Association. She is also the operations Manager at Enable Ability, a local charity, where Julie has supported children with SEN for over 20 years including acting as a strong advocate for both them and their families. Julie has previously managed a community centre and has responsibility for safeguarding in our setting and works closely with the Pre-School team.

Cllr Darren Sanders

Darren has been a trustee of The Stacey Community Association for many years and is also Portsmouth City Council's representative for our charity. Darren is particularly keen to ensure that The Stacey Pre-School fulfils its obligation to provide high quality education to the youngest members of our community.

Thomas Fox

Tom's many contributions to the Community Centre and our setting include mending and building resources, gardening, maintaining the forest school area, hosting our Halloween Graveyard Walk and other fund raising events and supporting the Pre-School staff in any way he can - including being Father Christmas!

Andra Bacanu

Andra has lived in the UK for over 12 years, immigrating from her native Romania initially to study computer science. Andra has been an active volunteer for the Association supporting everything from Lunch Club, to our social club for adults with SEN diagnosis, as well as volunteering to help host Halloween and Christmas events for the whole community as well as the pre-school. In her spare time Andra also volunteers at Community Cycle Centre, which operates from the Stacey Community Centre's grounds.