Windhill Childrens Centres

Odette Morgan

Hi, my name is Odette Morgan and I am the Network Manager for the three Sure-Start Children's Centres that we can proudly boast we now have fully operational, covering both Bishop's Stortford and the surrounding villages of Little Hadam, Albury, Furneaux and Stocking Pelham.  I have been in post here at Windhill since July 2007 and in that time we have grown from one Centre to a Network of three, working in Partnership with a range of Key Agencies to deliver a co-ordinated activity programme for all families with children under 5.  

My background, although initially sport based, is very much one set within Early Years and I have actually been working within the Children's Centre Initiative since 2004.  I have three children of my own, two daughters and a son ranging in age from 26 to 24 to 21 years, and it was when I had three children under 5 myself that I started an interest in the Early Years Field by becoming a member of our local village Pre-School Committee......how wonderful it would have been to have access to a Sure-Start Centre at that point!!  My career progress really did start at that point and I am always keen to share with new parents the huge benefits of getting involved with your childs education, be it at Pre-School or School, both for you and your family.

I have very recently moved out of the town (after living here for 10 years) and enjoy walking my dog, visiting new places at home and abroad, reading, music, cooking and eating out!

I look forward to continuing to work with the Children's Centre Team and Partners to provide top quality services for your families well into the future and would urge you to lobby as much as you can to keep Sure-Start as a main focal point of all communities.  Thank you. 

Karen Buffham

Hi, my name is Karen Buffham and I am the Children's Centre Co-ordinator for Buttercups at our host site Summercroft Primary School.

I have been in post for just over two years now and arrived here through a variety of different roles all within the Early Years Sector.  I was looking for a new challenge and I found it!!  I wanted to look at different ways of working with families providing a safe, welcoming, inclusive environment and to be able to make a difference where and when it was needed.

We are also very fortunate to have a large rural footprint with Buttecups Children's Centre and we regularly run groups in the local villages which has added another dimension to the job.

I hope that we can welcome you to one of our sessions across the Network very soon, and look forward to meeting you.

Jackie Hale

Hi, I'm Jackie Hale.  I'm married and have two grown up daughters.  I've worked at Windhill Children's Centre since November 2008, firstly as the Adminstrator for Windhill Children's Centre, but as the Network has grown I am now the the Administrator for Windhill, Buttercups and Little Squirrels Children's Centres too.

I previously spent nine happy years at Thorley Hill Primary School as a Teaching/Admin Assitant and then another enjoyable year at Elsenham C of E Primary School in a similar role.  I also have banking and customer service experience, having worked in a Building Society for many years.

Since working at the Children's Centre I have qualified as an IAIM Infant Massage Instructor and a Massage in Schools Programme Instructor.  I really enjoy the Infant Massage sessions as this gives me the opportunity to work with lots of you in small groups, watching the bond between parents and babies grow over the 5 week course.  It is also really nice to come along to the Super Saturday sessions as it gives me the opportunity to meet lots of you in person so I can put faces to the names that I only know by email name or as a voice on the phone.  It also gives you the chance to see who answers the phone and sends the email with a 'whoopsy' when I've forgotten the attachments!

I love my job, which is hectic but very rewarding - no two days are the same so there is definitely no chance of getting bored!

Louisa Duke

Hello, my name is Louisa Duke and I started at Windhill in November 2008 as an Outreach Worker.

As a qualified Nursery Nurse I have worked in several Day Nurseries and also in Europe at Activity Centres with older children.

I have recently gained my Foundation Degree in Early Years.  I am a Certified Infant Massage Instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage.   I enjoy travelling, gardening, cooking and meeting new people.  Hope to see you very soon.

Lee Routledge

My name is Lee Routledge, I am the Children's Centre Co-ordinator at Windhill/Little Squirrels. 

I have been in post for two and a half years now.  I have previously worked within Educational Settings where I gained a Foundation Degree in Early Years Child Development and a BA Honours in Education.  Since joining Windhill I have also gained Early Years Professional Status and have become an Infant Massage Instructor.

I look forward to welcoming you to our sessions.

Kim Nicholson

I'm Kim Nicholson and I've been a Play Leader for Buttercups, Little Squirrels and Windhill Children's Centres, since September 2010.

My previous work experience includes being a Special Needs Educator, Pre-School Manager Nursery Nurse, Early Years Practioner teaching Nursery and Reception children.

As part of the Team I look forward to welcoming you to our fun sessions.

Barbara Rogers

Hello, my name is Barbara Rogers and I joined the team at the Children's Centre as an Outreach Worker in October 2009.

I have worked in Pre-Schools and a Primary School in and around Bishop's Stortford since January 2000.  Whilst working in the Early Years Settings I gained a Foundation Degree in Early Years and a BA Honours in Early Years Education.

Since joining the Children's Centre Team I have been very priviledged in becoming an Infant Massage Instructor.  I fully enjoy this part of my role, getting to know new babies and their families.

Alison Caudle

Hi, my name is Alison Caudle, I am the Play Worker at Windhill, Little Squirrels and Buttercups Children's Centre.

I joined the team in October 2010, and have enjoyed meeting many new families and look forward to continuing doing so.

As a qualified Nursery Nurse my past experience has included working within the Early Years for over 25 years mainly in educational settings.

Nicola Cameron-Prior

Hi, my name is Nicola Cameron-Prior and I am the newest member of the Team, joining at the beginning of October 2011.  My job is Data Entry Clerk for the 3 Children's Centres in Bishop's Stortford at Windhill, Little Squirrels and Buttercups, ensuring all data entry and website information is kept up-to-date.  My previous work experience includes working in the City within the Financial Market Sector, Property Investment in the West End and laterally running my own Bed & Breakfast whilst bringing up my own family.  I also enjoy helping out at Beavers, Cubs and DT/Art classes at my son's school.

I decided at this stage of my life I would like to become involved within the Public Sector and feel priviledged that I have been given the opportunity to work alongside such a positive and enthusiastic team of people within the Network, supporting the community of Bishop's Stortford and the surrounding villages.

The Children's Centres offer a wide range of inspirational, fun and informative sessions for parents and children under 5 and it's a great feeling to see and hear the enjoyment achieved through the sessions whilst working here.

I really enjoy working with people and look forward to meeting lots of new parents and children through this venue.

Sue Andrews

Hi, my name is Sue Andrews.  I have lived in Bishop's Stortford for 11 years and am married with 3 children.

I have worked in Early Years for 25 years, being a qualified NNEB and most recently completely my NVQ3.

I have worked for Windhill Children's Centre Network for approximately 2 years as a bank playworker covering Stay and Play Sessions, Rhyme Time and Little Explorers.