Hello there!
Little Farmers Childcare is a family-run business. We are here to look after your most precious possession - your child. We are a friendly, approachable team, with a wealth of experience in early years education. We know it’s not always easy being a working parent but good childcare can make all the difference. When you choose Little Farmers Childcare, you can be sure your child is well cared for and having a wonderful day.
Becky (Owner)
Becky and her husband John are the owners of Little Farmers Childcare, which they set up in 2020. Becky has lived at Cuckoo Down Farm for more than 20 years, ever since she met John, who grew up at the farm. She is a former primary school teacher (Reception class). She and John have six children between them, all of whom grew up at Cuckoo Down Farm. Becky is Forest School trained and loves nature and the outdoors. Her vision for Little Farmers Childcare is for children to enjoy a fun-filled and outdoorsy childhood, just as her family has done for so many years.
Becky’s qualifications
Qualified primary school teacher (Reception)
Forest School Leader Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certified
Safeguarding Awareness certified
Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering Level 2 certification
John (Owner)
John is also known as Farmer John (or just Farmer!). Before he met his wife Becky, he brought up his four older children on his own for several years after their mum sadly passed away, so he really understands the importance of good childcare. John loves to share his knowledge of farming and animal husbandry with children. He’s pictured here with Grace, one of his five grandchildren. John is the go-to person for fixing everything from the roof to flat pushchair tyres at Little Farmers - and he can build amazing mud kitchens from scratch!
John’s qualifications:
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Classical Piano Grade 8!
Erin (Manager)
Erin is the manager of Little Farmers @ Burrow Farm, our setting in Broadclyst. She has worked in childcare for many years and has a degree in Early Years Education. Now a mum to her own little girl, Erin really understands the importance of childcare you can trust. She knows just how to support parents leaving their children with us for the first time. Erin is a highly-qualified, experienced and nurturing practitioner, full of wonderful ideas to inspire children’s development and learning. Erin is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator for Little Farmers @ Burrow Farm.
Erin’s qualifications:
Degree in Early Years Education
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety (Level 2)
Verity (Manager)
Verity is manager of Little Farmers @ Cuckoo Down Farm, our setting in West Hill. She has worked in childcare since she was 18 years old. Verity grew up with a great love of the outdoors. Both her parents are Dartmoor Rangers and one of her hobbies is showing Shetland ponies. She has a huge enthusiasm for all creatures great and small and loves taking the children to see the sheep, ponies and chickens at Cuckoo Down Farm. Verity is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for Little Farmers @ Cuckoo Down Farm. She is full of fun and is never afraid to set up an activity with lots of messy play - then joining in herself!
Verity’s qualifications:
Early Years Educator Level 3
Forest School trained Level 2
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness Level 2
Food Safety in Catering Level 2
Amy (Deputy Manager)
Amy is deputy manager of Little Farmers @ Cuckoo Down Farm, our setting in West Hill. She joined us from a large nursery where she worked for several years, while she was there she passed all her Early Years Educator Level 3 qualifications. Amy is a fun, capable person who always brings out the best in children. She’s happy to set up all sorts of messy play sensory activities and encourage the children to have fun outdoors, Amy’s wealth of Early Years knowledge and experience is invaluable to our team. In her spare time she is a keen paddle-boarder and loves her time at the beach or out in nature, no matter what the weather.
Amy’s qualifications:
Early Years Educator Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness Level 2
Food Safety in Catering Level 2
Emily (Deputy Manager)
Emily is deputy manager of Little Farmers @ Burrow Farm, our setting in Broadclyst. She joined Little Farmers Childcare from a big nursery chain. Emily loves the outdoors and is often to be found walking her beloved Labrador on her days off. Emily is fully qualified as an Early Years Educator and has an enormous amount of experience in caring for young children. Emily is enjoys planning exciting and interesting activities for the children and she has a real flair for making days at Burrow Farm enjoyable. Fun fact: Emily is a triplet!
Emily’s qualifications:
Level 3 Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness Level 3 (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2
Alaska
Alaska is our Forest School manager, working in both our settings. She is just about the most outdoorsy person you will ever meet. She is a bushcraft expert and loves being out in the woods. You can rely on her to offer wonderful Forest School activities to the children, such as cooking lunch outside or making amazing crafts with natural materials. She is a trained secondary school Geography teacher but (luckily for us) has chosen to make Early Years her career. Alaska is currently on maternity leave.
Alaska’s qualifications:
Qualified Teacher Status (Plymouth University)
Registered Childminder
Forest School Leader (Level 3)
Safeguarding (Level 2)
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness Level 2
Food Safety (Level 2)
Becca
Becca is based in our West Hill setting. She came to Little Farmers having worked in a large city-centre nursery in Exeter for many years. She is currently studying with us for a Level 3 in Early Years Education. Becca is a kind, caring and fun person who really brings out the best in children. She really enjoys the chance to try out all sorts of interesting activities for the children outdoors and loves farm life!
Becca’s qualifications:
Working towards Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety (Level 2)
Charlotte
This is the second time that Charlotte has come to work with us at Little Farmers. We all missed her so much when she moved away from the area back in 2023, so we are absolutely delighted that she is here with us again. Charlotte is based at our Broadclyst setting, Little Farmers @ Burrow Farm. She has also worked previously in a large nursery locally and has a wealth of experience in childcare. Charlotte is a fun, bubbly character who has lots of enthusiasm for exciting and educational activities for the children.
Charlotte’s qualifications:
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety (Level 2)
Gracie
Gracie joined Little Farmers Childcare from a large nursery in Exeter and is based at our West Hill setting, Cuckoo Down Farm. She lives on a farm herself and is a really outdoorsy person. Gracie is currently studying for her Level 3 qualifications as an Early Years Educator. New Zealander Gracie has travelled the world and nothing phases her. She is loving life here in Devon and brings a huge amount of calm and fun to her interactions with the children.
Gracie’s qualifications:
Studying for her Early Years Educator Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness Level 2
Food Safety and Hygiene (Level 2)
Jodie
Jodie studied Childhood Practice and Psychology at university and has previously worked for a large nursery chain as a Room Leader. She has a deep knowledge of how young children develop and brings her wealth of experience to make the most of all we do at Little Farmers. Jodie is based at our West Hill setting, Little Farmers @ Cuckoo Down Farm. She is always happy to spend time with the children and really get to know them. She’s a country-lover who grew up with horses and in her spare time she enjoys dog-walking with her partner, dancing and paddleboarding. Jodie is our Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO).
Jodie’s qualifications:
BA in Childhood Practice and Psychology
Early Years Educator Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness Level 2
Food Safety in Catering (Level 2)
Lily
Lily joined us at Little Farmers Childcare after working in a large nursery in Exeter, where she gained several years of experience in childcare with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. She is currently completing her Level 2 qualifications as an Early Years Practitioner and is based at our Broadclyst setting, Little Farmers @ Burrow Farm. Lily has also worked in adult social care as an enabler, helping vulnerable adults with their day-to-day lives. She’s calm and capable, with lots of great ideas for fun activities.
Lily’s qualifications:
Working towards Level 2 Early Years Practitioner (estimated end date October 2025)
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness Level 2
Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2
Linda
Mum of four and grandma to ten grandchildren, our lovely Linda worked as childminder in her own home in Birmingham for 28 years, caring for more than 80 children in that time. When she and her husband “retired” (nice try Linda!) to Devon, we lost no time in snapping her up. Linda’s now a regular at Little Farmers, where she cooks our delicious lunches and provides lunch cover so staff can take a break. Linda has sung professionally for many years and teaches the children all sorts of wonderful nursery rhymes and singing games.
Linda’s qualifications:
Early Years Educator Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety Level 2
Lucy
Lucy works with us part-time at our Broadclyst setting, Little Farmers @ Burrow Farm and the rest of the week she is a live-out nanny. She is a trained Level 3 Early Years Educator and has so many good ideas for interesting and imaginative activities for the children to enjoy. Lucy has a lovely, calm manner and children really enjoy spending time with her. Lucy is training as a Forest School practitioner and loves being in the great outdoors.
Lucy’s qualifications:
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety (Level 2)
Katie
Katie has worked with us part-time at both our settings, both as an administrator and also cooking and providing lunch cover. She has Level 3 childcare qualifications and many years of experience working in childcare. Katie is mum to three young children and is currently on maternity leave with her youngest, a beautiful little girl. Congratulations!
Katie’s qualifications:
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety (Level 2)
Sarah
Sarah came to Little Farmers Childcare from a large nursery where she had worked for many years. As well as having a huge amount of childcare experience, Sarah holds all her Early Years Educator Level 3 qualifications. Sarah is a working mum herself and understands how important it is to have childcare you can trust. She is based at our West Hill setting, Little Farmers @ Cuckoo Down Farm. Sarah is nurturing and kind with the children and very good at settling in new little people to the setting. Her depth of expertise in all things Early Years is a wonderful addition to our team here at Little Farmers.
Sarah’s qualifications:
Early Years Educator Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness Level 2
Food Safety in Catering (Level 2)
Sophie
Sophie joined Little Farmers Childcare from a big nursery chain in Mid Devon and is based at our Broadclyst setting, Little Farmers @ Burrow Farm. She’s got lots of experience working with all ages of young children from babies to pre-schoolers. Sophie is very nearly at the end of her apprenticeship studying for her Level 3 as an Early Years Educator, well done Sophie!
Sophie’s qualifications:
Studying for a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness (Level 2)
Food Safety and Hygiene (Level 2)
Sue
Sue has worked with children for many years, spending a lot of time in schools as a Teaching Assistant. She studied Teaching & Learning at university and has an Open University diploma in Child Psychology. Sue is based at our West Hill setting, Little Farmers @ Cuckoo Down Farm. Sue is holds a Football Association coaching qualification and has run football clubs in schools and the community for many years. As a mum to older children herself, she knows just what it is like to be a working parent. Fun fact: Sue’s got a really unusual hobby - racing pigeons as far afield as France and Spain. She has 40 pigeons at home!
Sue’s Qualifications:
Degree in Teaching & Learning
BA in Professional Practice (teaching)
Diploma in Child Psychology (Opem University)
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Higher Level Teaching Assistant certificate
Safeguarding Awareness Level 2
Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering Level 2
Football Association coaching certificate (Level 1)
Tegan
Tegan joined Little Farmers Childcare from a large nursery in Exeter, where she studied for all her professional childcare qualifications and rose to deputy manager level as well as being the lead practitioner in the baby room. Tegan is based at our Broadclyst setting, Little Farmers @ Burrow Farm. She is a kind, nurturing soul who is really lovely with the children. Tegan has a huge depth of knowledge when it comes to early years education and is full of great ideas to help little people develop and grow.
Tegan’s qualifications:
Early Years Educator Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness Level 2
Food Safety in Catering Level 2
The chickens
Our chickens at Cuckoo Down Farm are fun to meet, watch and feed. Children spend time with them and collect their eggs, which we often cook up for tea. Who doesn’t love a boiled egg with soldiers? Our children help us clean out the chicken house too - thanks guys!
Ebony
Ebony is an elderly Dartmoor pony who has taught countless children to love horses, starting with Becky and John’s two youngest (who are now grown-up!). From spending time with Ebony, children learn the importance of being calm and responsible around animals. They help with her feeding, grooming, cleaning her tack and even get involved with mucking out her stable. She really is an important member of our team!
The Sheep
The sheep at Cuckoo Down Farm have baby lambs every spring. They are wonderful mums to their babies. We often also bottlefeed orphan lambs from other farms, who become very tame and friendly. It’s lovely for the children to see the sheep living in contented family groups in the fields.
The Cows
Just over the fence at Burrow Farm, we see these beautiful cows walk on their way to and from milking. Aren’t they lovely? They live outdoors in the 350 acres of farmland at Burrow Farm and are raised organically. What a peaceful, magical sight for the children to enjoy. In springtime, we can see their calves too, who are so sweet!