Hello there!
Here at Little Farmers Childcare, we are here to look after your most precious possession - your child. We are a friendly, approachable team, each with a wealth of experience in early years education. 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.
Ellie
Ellie is the overall manager of Little Farmers Childcare across nboth our settings, Cuckoo Down Farm and Burrow Farm. Ellie’s a working mum herself, so she knows all about how important it is for working parents to have supportive childcare in place. She worked for many years at a large nursery where she studied for many childcare qualifications and is also a certified Forest School Leader (Level 3). Ellie is a keen horsewoman and her family owns several horses. She is very creative and always dreaming up fun arts-and-crafty things for the children to make and do. Ellie is studying for the prestigious degree-level Early Years Lead Practitioner qualification (Level 5).
Ellie’s Qualifications:
Early Years Childcare Level 3
Registered Childminder
Working towards Early Years Lead Practitioner (Level 5)
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Forest School Leader (Level 3)
Safeguarding Awareness Level 3
Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering Level 2
Becky
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 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 loves nature and the outdoors. Her vision for the nursery is for children to explore and enjoy a farm childhood, just as her family has done for so many years.
Becky’s qualifications
Qualified primary school teacher
Registered Childminder
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
Lily
Lily is the manager of our Cuckoo Down Farm setting. She has many years of experience in childcare and nothing phases her when it comes to looking after little people. She previously worked at a large nursery where she was a Room Leader. Lily has all her Early Years Educator Level 3 qualifications. She is a fun, calm character with lots of good ideas to keep children happy and engaged in their activities. Lily is part of our senior team here at Little Farmers and brings a huge amount of knowledge and expertise to her practice with us.
Lily’s qualifications:
Registered childminder assistant
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)
Erin
Erin is the manager of our Burrow Farm setting. 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 hughly qualified, experienced and nurturing practitioner and is full of wonderful ideas to inspire children’s development and learning.
Erin’s qualifications:
Degree in Early Years Education
Registered Childminder Assistant
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety (Level 2)
Alaska
Alaska is our Forest School manager and 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’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)
Verity
Verity is one of our senior practitioners here at Little Farmers and has worked in childcare since she was 18 years old. She grew up with a great love of the outdoors, as both her parents are Dartmoor Rangers. She has a huge enthusiasm for all creatures great and small and loves taking the children to see the cows at Burrow Farm. Verity is full of fun and is never afraid to set up an activity with lots of messy play - and joining in herself!
Verity’s qualifications:
Registered childminder
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)
Amy
Amy 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. Always happy to set up 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:
Registered childminder assistant
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)
Jodie
Jodie studied Childhood Practice and Psychology at university and has 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 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’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)
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 calm 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)
Keeley
Keeley joined Little Farmers Childcare from a large nursery where she had studied for all her professional childcare qualifications and risen to Room Leader. Keeley is a kind, nurturing soul who is really lovely with teh children. She is currently on Maternity leave with her lovely baby, her first child. Congratulations Keeley!
Keeley’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)
Lauren G
In 2022, Lauren G decided to swap her previous life as a glamorous airline cabin crew manager for life in wellies here on the farm! She is studying for a Level 3 in Early Years Education alongside working with the children here at Little Farmers. Lauren’s a mum to her own little boy aged three and is currently on maternity leave with her new little daughter. Lauren is full of energy, enthusiam and great ideas for children’s activities. A friendly and approachable person, Lauren is supportive and nurturing to children and parents alike.
Lauren’s qualifications:
Working towards Early Years Educator (Level 3) qualifications
Registered childminder assistant
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety (Level 2)
Olivia
Olivia has worked in childcare since she was just 16 years old! She has a lovely way with children and boundless energy and enthusiasm. Olivia holds a Level 2 qualification as an Early Years Practitioner and worked as a childminder assistant elsewhere before joining us here at Little Farmers. She will be studying for a Level 3 qualification as an Early Years Educator. Olivia is set for a bright career in childcare and we are delighted to welcome her to our team.
Olivia’s qualifications:
Registered Childminder Assistant
Early Years Practitioner Level 2
Safeguarding Level 2 Trained
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Food Safety 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 to be our bank staffer. Linda’s now a regular at Little Farmers. A keen gardener, she makes sure that our veg patch grows everything from sunflowers to tomatoes. Linda also used to sing professionally and teaches the children all sorts of wonderful nursery rhymes and singing games.
Linda’s qualifications:
Registered Childminder Assistant
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety Level 2
Becca
Becca 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)
Lucy
Lucy works with us part-time and the rest of the week she is a live-out nanny. She is a trained Lvel 3 Early Years Educator and has so many good ideas for interesting and imaginative activities for the children here at Little Farmers. Lucy has a lovely, calm manner and children really enjoy spending time with her.
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)
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 has also worked previously in a large nursery locally and has a wealth of experience in childcare. She is a fun, bubbly character who has lots of enthusiasm for exciting and educational activities for the children.
Chloe’s qualifications:
Registered Childminder Assistant
Paediatric First Aid Level 3
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Safeguarding Awareness certification
Food Safety (Level 2)
John
John is also known as Farmer John (or just Farmer!) to the many who love Cuckoo Down Farm. 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 his granddaughter Grace.
John’s qualifications:
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certification
Classical Piano Grade 8!
The chickens
Our chickens at Cuckoo Down Farm and Burrow Farm are fun to meet, watch and feed. Children spend time with them every day 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 a 27-year-old Dartmoor pony who has taught countless children to love horses, starting with Becky and John’s two youngest (now almost 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 here at the farm.
The Cows
Just over the fence at Burrow Farm, we see these beautiful cows walk by every day 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.
Luna
Luna is our rescue dog and despite a tough start in life she is wonderful with children. She teaches children to be gentle, kind and patient - just like her!