Our Team_old

Gemma Houghton

Orchard Preschool Manager

Gemma is our manager and safeguarding lead.  Gemma has worked in Early Years and Education for over 15 years.  She has worked in various early years settings; in her last position she was pre-school leader in a local primary school for seven years as well as forest school leader for the school.  Gemma lives on a farm on Dartmoor with her young family.  She is passionate about using the natural environment to enhance experiences for all our children, creating awe and wonder.  During her time in her previous position Gemma developed the early years Maths curriculum and created a programme of study called ‘Muddy Maths’.  Using the natural world to create meaningful opportunities for children to make progress with their mathematical development illustrates Gemma belief that real life experiences, led by children, embeds life-long learning. 

Elouize Newman

Play Assistant, paediatric first aider

Hello, my name is Elouize. I joined Orchard Preschool in 2015. I am a level 3 Early Years Practitioner and Pediatric first aid trained. I enjoy working with children of all ages. They are all so unique, their amazing personalities make me smile and laugh everyday – there is never a dull moment.
I am a certified Play Practitioner currently training to become a Play Therapist. I am currently practicing at local Primary School two days a week. I have found this work to be deeply moving and I am always grateful to be entrusted with their story.

My hobbies include badminton and board games which are so much fun, it is wonderful to get to know new people through these.r. 

Rachel Thomas

Deputy Manager, Oaks Leader and Senco Leader

Green (wo)man of the Orchard, Rachel is a level 4 qualified Early Years Practitioner as well as being a qualified Forest School Leader.  Rachel loves nothing more than being outside, using the natural environment to create exciting experiences for our children.  Rachel is also our setting SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and is passionate about delivering an Early Years curriculum that meets the individual needs of all our children. 

Charlotte Lambell

Acorns Leader

Charlotte is a level 3 practitioner who has many years experience working as a nanny and in nurseries. She is passionate about early years and furthering her knowledge within this profession. She has 3 dogs and loves going for walks along the river.

Lizzie Peirce

Safeguarding Officer and Staff Development Officer

Lizzie Peirce is an experienced Level 3 qualified practitioner, who has worked in Early Years and Primary school education for the last 20 years. She has specialised in working with children with special educational needs and has also set up and run a local primary schools, After School Club. Lizzie is passionate about a holistic, inclusive, care of children in early years. She is level 3 qualified in safeguarding and is our settings deputy safeguarding officer. Lizzie is also one of our qualified first aiders. Lizzie is a mum of two grown up sons and enjoys gardening, spending time with her family and walking her two dogs across Dartmoor.

Alan Boyton

Holiday Club Staff

Alan is Level 3 qualified and currently at University Studying to become a Primary Teacher. I’ve always wanted to work with children and help mold the minds of the future, because I think it is vital that children learn in a setting that takes pride in listening to them and understands their needs. With 7 siblings I’m experienced with having so many personalities around me which has been beneficial in making me the social butterfly I am today!

Robyn Harvey

Robyn Harvey – Deputy Manager, Deputy Safeguarding Officer, Saplings Room Leader

Robyn is the room leader for our toddler room ‘Saplings’. Robyn is an experienced Level 3 Early Years Practitioner who has previously worked in primary school education as a teaching assistant, special needs 1:1, and a preschool leader. Robyn joined Orchard Preschool in 2019 where she became specialised in working with babies. Robyn and Gemma worked together to create ‘Acorns’ a stimulating and nurturing environment for babies to explore, something Robyn feels very passionate about. She holds a level 2
Understanding Autism qualification, paediatric first aid certificate, is level 3 qualified in safeguarding and is our settings deputy safeguarding officer.

Robyn is a mum of two girls and in her spare time she can be found helping out with the animals on her family farm and walking her Cocker Spaniel ‘Oscar’.