Nursery, 2 year-olds & Reception

Mrs Verrinder

Lead Practitioner 2 year-olds

My association with Waycroft began in 2000 when the first of my children started nursery. Before working here I had a variety of job roles, including Wildlife Consultant, Bank Clerk, Librarian and Registered Childminder. After gaining Early Years Professional Status I joined the incredible Early Years Team at Waycroft and am now the Lead Practitioner in our Admiral Nursery for 2 year-olds. Working in Early Years you never know quite what each day will bring and this is one of the many aspects of the job that I love, as well as seeing the children grow in confidence and independence.

Mrs Godwin

Nursery Teacher

My name is Mrs Godwin, and I am very excited to be joining the Waycroft Academy Early Years Team, as a Nursery Teacher. I qualified from the University of Gloucestershire in 2014, where I completed my Early Childhood Studies degree and my Primary PGCE, with an Early Years focus. I am really passionate about teaching and particularly encouraging children to use their creativity, imagination, and curiosity, I see every child as an individual and love to see their little personalities shining through. I have a particular passion for books, with the aim of developing a love of reading in all children. In my spare time, I love being outdoors and adventures with my family, the theatre and listening to music.

Miss Thomas

Reception Teacher/EYFS Lead

My name is Miss Thomas. I was thrilled to join the Waycroft team in 2023 as Reception Class Teacher and Early Years Phase Lead. I'm a passionate teacher with a particular focus on how young children learn and how their class environment can influence and develop their curiosity about the world. Independence and imagination are key in my classroom, and we encourage learning through children's own interests, storytelling and lots of play!
In my spare time, I enjoy seeing my family and friends and I love to travel and see the world too. I also enjoy live music and you'll often find me dancing around my kitchen!

Mrs Winsley

Reception Teacher

My name is Mrs Winsley and I am a teacher at Waycroft Academy. I qualified from the University of St Mark and St John with a BEd in Primary Education specialising in Physical Education. I have been fortunate enough to have worked as a nanny across Europe, which has developed my understanding of working with children with EAL. I have a particular interest in encouraging the children I teach to be creative and to bring their personal passions to the classroom to share with other children during the school day. At weekends and during my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants and going for long runs on the Downs.