Our Team
Staff

Manager
Hi, I'm Angela and I am delighted to be the Manager at playgroup. I also attend the Babies and Toddlers sessions in the Village Hall on a half-termly basis.
I have been involved with Sheriff Hutton Pre-school since 2004 when my eldest son attended Babies and Toddlers. This was to become the beginning of my journey into childcare! In 2008 I became a member of the playgroup committee while my youngest son attended before assisting as a relief member of staff in 2010. During this time I achieved the Basic Awareness in Child Protection Level 1 which is regularly updated.
During my training in 2011 I became a Play Leader. Since achieving a Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (Early Learning and Childcare) (QCF) I have become the named person for Behaviour Management and carried out Deputy Manager duties on a regular basis. In March 2014 I successfully trained as a SENDco (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Co-ordinator). Since becoming the Manager in 2015 I have attended Level 2 safeguarding and I am the Designated Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding. I also currently hold an Advanced Paediatric First Aid Certificate and Level 2 in Food Hygiene.
I am passionate about playgroup and enjoy so many aspects of working in the Early Years sector. There is a huge amount of satisfaction from seeing children in our care play, learn, develop and flourish and I believe supporting parents is the key to children's success. I have the pleasure of working with an amazing team of nurturing staff and committee members. Friendships are formed between children and staff which may well last a life-time. I truly believe that playgroup provides a fantastic learning and social experience for your child which is at the heart of the community.
I live on a farm with my husband Martin and two children Michael and Adam. My hobbies include card-making, mindful colouring, jigsaws walking and gardening. My favourite colour is pink. We have a dog called Fizz, a cat called Fudge, two guinea pigs Benny and Theo and a variety of tropical fish.
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming your child into playgroup.
Hi, I'm Angela and I am delighted to be the Manager at playgroup. I also attend the Babies and Toddlers sessions in the Village Hall on a half-termly basis.
I have been involved with Sheriff Hutton Pre-school since 2004 when my eldest son attended Babies and Toddlers. This was to become the beginning of my journey into childcare! In 2008 I became a member of the playgroup committee while my youngest son attended before assisting as a relief member of staff in 2010. During this time I achieved the Basic Awareness in Child Protection Level 1 which is regularly updated.
During my training in 2011 I became a Play Leader. Since achieving a Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (Early Learning and Childcare) (QCF) I have become the named person for Behaviour Management and carried out Deputy Manager duties on a regular basis. In March 2014 I successfully trained as a SENDco (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Co-ordinator). Since becoming the Manager in 2015 I have attended Level 2 safeguarding and I am the Designated Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding. I also currently hold an Advanced Paediatric First Aid Certificate and Level 2 in Food Hygiene.
I am passionate about playgroup and enjoy so many aspects of working in the Early Years sector. There is a huge amount of satisfaction from seeing children in our care play, learn, develop and flourish and I believe supporting parents is the key to children's success. I have the pleasure of working with an amazing team of nurturing staff and committee members. Friendships are formed between children and staff which may well last a life-time. I truly believe that playgroup provides a fantastic learning and social experience for your child which is at the heart of the community.
I live on a farm with my husband Martin and two children Michael and Adam. My hobbies include card-making, mindful colouring, jigsaws walking and gardening. My favourite colour is pink. We have a dog called Fizz, a cat called Fudge, two guinea pigs Benny and Theo and a variety of tropical fish.
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming your child into playgroup.

Deputy Manager
Hi my name is Julie Mercer. I am happy to be the Deputy Manager and Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding here at Sheriff Hutton Playgroup. I joined the team here in what was my 40th year in childcare having qualified, receiving my NNEB in 1977 !!!!!!! I have gained so much experience during this time having worked in a variety of settings with children aged from 3 months up to 19 years and with children with special needs. I remain passionate about children's learning experiences and development. Throughout my career I have continually attended relevant courses which keeps my own learning up to date with new ideas, legislation's etc. including Context and Principles for Early Years Provision, Child protection, Forest School, Behaviour is Communication, and Brave Boys to name a few, these have all helped to improve my own practice.
I moved to Crambeck Village from Somerset in 2015 with my husband to be closer to our families in Cheshire and our 2 daughters here in Yorkshire and the North East. The eldest is married with her own young family giving us two granddaughters and a grandson. Our youngest lives with her partner near Sunderland on the coast and works for a letting agency. As a family we enjoy walking in the local countryside these walks also include Jack and Puddles our daughter's dogs. I enjoy short breaks to south Wales with my husband where I go dolphin watching, dolphins being my other interest and I am actively involved in their conservation and freedom.
Play Leader
Hi my name is Becky. I am the newest member of the team having joined in September 2020, while the world was deep in the COVID pandemic. I was given the opportunity to join the amazing team at playgroup. I studied in Childcare and Education at York College in 2010 where I gained a Level 2 Diploma in 2011. I gained full time employment in one of the settings I did my work placement. Just under a year later I left full-time employment to have my two children in 2013 and 2017. I have been a stay-at-home mum for nearly 8 years. As many will agree it is the hardest but most rewarding job. I have cherished my time at home but I was ready to start a new chapter! Playgroup has given me an amazing opportunity to develop and expand my learning, while working with children.
I enjoy being part of children's play and helping them learn and develop. Building relationships, supporting them and watching children flourish is the most rewarding part of being involved in the childcare industry.
I moved to Sheriff Hutton with my partner and two children in 2018. We have several pets including 2 dogs, a giant African land snail, 3 snakes and a tortoise called Harry. As a pastime I enjoy reading, listening to music, crochet, and as a family we enjoy going to steam rallies and camping. My favourite colour is purple.
Hi my name is Julie Mercer. I am happy to be the Deputy Manager and Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding here at Sheriff Hutton Playgroup. I joined the team here in what was my 40th year in childcare having qualified, receiving my NNEB in 1977 !!!!!!! I have gained so much experience during this time having worked in a variety of settings with children aged from 3 months up to 19 years and with children with special needs. I remain passionate about children's learning experiences and development. Throughout my career I have continually attended relevant courses which keeps my own learning up to date with new ideas, legislation's etc. including Context and Principles for Early Years Provision, Child protection, Forest School, Behaviour is Communication, and Brave Boys to name a few, these have all helped to improve my own practice.
I moved to Crambeck Village from Somerset in 2015 with my husband to be closer to our families in Cheshire and our 2 daughters here in Yorkshire and the North East. The eldest is married with her own young family giving us two granddaughters and a grandson. Our youngest lives with her partner near Sunderland on the coast and works for a letting agency. As a family we enjoy walking in the local countryside these walks also include Jack and Puddles our daughter's dogs. I enjoy short breaks to south Wales with my husband where I go dolphin watching, dolphins being my other interest and I am actively involved in their conservation and freedom.
Play Leader
Hi my name is Becky. I am the newest member of the team having joined in September 2020, while the world was deep in the COVID pandemic. I was given the opportunity to join the amazing team at playgroup. I studied in Childcare and Education at York College in 2010 where I gained a Level 2 Diploma in 2011. I gained full time employment in one of the settings I did my work placement. Just under a year later I left full-time employment to have my two children in 2013 and 2017. I have been a stay-at-home mum for nearly 8 years. As many will agree it is the hardest but most rewarding job. I have cherished my time at home but I was ready to start a new chapter! Playgroup has given me an amazing opportunity to develop and expand my learning, while working with children.
I enjoy being part of children's play and helping them learn and develop. Building relationships, supporting them and watching children flourish is the most rewarding part of being involved in the childcare industry.
I moved to Sheriff Hutton with my partner and two children in 2018. We have several pets including 2 dogs, a giant African land snail, 3 snakes and a tortoise called Harry. As a pastime I enjoy reading, listening to music, crochet, and as a family we enjoy going to steam rallies and camping. My favourite colour is purple.