Lollipops
Lollipops
Learning through experience
Proprietor
Yvonne Thompson
I opened Lollipops in August 1988 originally as a hobby; I already had experience of running a variety of businesses and wanted m next venture to allow me to have good quality time with my grandchildren.
Opening a nursery seemed the perfect opportunity. Over the years I have seen my family grow to four Grandchildren and I’m now a Great Nan of 8 beautiful children.
Opening Lollipops started me on a fantastic journey of fun, discovery and learning.
My family are the core of everything I do and my children have been a great support over the years, as Lollipops grew more established they took on a variety of roles to make the nursery successful.
Lollipops offers a support network to children and their families, we offer an environment that is fun, happy and nurturing with a motivated, skilful, knowledgeable team that have a passion for lifelong learning.
Senior Manager
Lisa Thompson
BA Early Years
Forest School Leader
I joined Lollipops originally just to help support my mum’s new business establish whilst I looked for a shop to open a beauty salon. As time went by I grew to love working with the children so I decided to stay. Children really are infectious, there’s something about a child’s intoxicating laugh!
As years went on I gained many childcare qualifications, Lollipops grew to two nurseries, a breakfast / after school and holiday club. Over the years I have had some fantastic trips and adventures with the holiday club and was sad to see it go. Within my years here I have become a mother and have two wonderful children both of which have come to work
with me and both have enjoyed the benefits of nursery. Being a mum brings many challenges of which have made me a stronger practitioner. As a vegan and animal lover and a lifelong love of the natural world I have always valued the importance of children’s learning in the outdoors. I went on to train as a Forest school Practitioner, forest school was enlightening, and it echoed all my values. I finally found an ethos that had a child centred approach with the ever changing moods and marvels, and challenges of the natural world. At Lollipops we have a large on site Forest school and mud kitchen so our children get to enjoy the inspirational process that offers all learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences in a woodland / natural environment. We have now downscaled Lollipops to one nursery, making the decision to dedicate all of our attention to creating one early years setting of excellence. We have an incredibly skilful, knowledgeable and nurturing team whom I am very proud of and who continually strive to improve and raise the standards. Lollipops offer children and families a home from home environment with an amazing outdoor space giving children endless possibilities in play. I look forward to the future of Lollipops and our amazing team.
Manager
Angela Eade
BA Early Years
Forest School Leader
I joined Lollipops when it first opened having gained my NNEB qualification in childcare. I quickly learnt family values were the essence of Lollipops. I hadn’t just joined a nursery; I was welcomed into the “Lollipops family” like everyone who comes through our doors. Over the years I have continued to gain further qualifications to keep my knowledge and training up to date from Forest school Leader to my most proudest achievement a Bachelor of Arts in Early Years. Forest school has totally changed my approach to outdoor learning ‘I now love mud’!! My BA had a huge impact; it challenged me as a Manager.
I learnt how to be a leader, giving me leadership skills enabling me to empower my team and enthuse them to all have a passion for the outdoors and a love of learning. During my time at Lollipops I became a mum and now have two amazing boys. Motherhood was a huge learning curve, it also changed my perspective and as a manager I now have two perspectives a manager and a mother. Both my children came to Lollipops and have fond memories of their time with our amazing dedicated team. Over the years I have cared for many children and their families. I have had the privilege of caring for 2 and 3 generations of families. It has been a pleasure to be part of many children’s lives that we have cared for and I hope they look back at their journey at Lollipops with happy, fun memories of their early years with us as I do. I believe children only get one childhood and it should be full of fun, exploration, and discovery and learning with a little bit of magic.
Baby Unit
Awaiting update..
We are currently restructuring / recruiting staff.
Nursery Floor
Awaiting update..
We are currently restructuring / recruiting staff.
Lollipops Nursery has truly gone above and beyond my expectations. The level of support, care and help my family has received has literally moved me to tears. Not only is my son well cared for at the nursery, he is loved. That is something money just can't buy. Children are happy here. The garden is awesome, the forest school and mud kitchen are just fab. Staff are superb. My son has special medical needs, we have been rejected for that reason at another nursery. It's easy to suffer from the consequences of being different and "inclusive" is often a word more spoken and less acted on.
Lollipops has welcomed us with open arms and not just taken us on but arranged it so that my son feels like everyone else. He has developed so well not even the educational psychologist could pick him out from the crowd. That is a massive achievement. But most importantly he's happy going to Lollipops, we are happy to have him there. If you're looking for the best place for your child to thrive whilst you do your thing, look no further. This is it.
Evelyne Brink
Executive Coach (I.e. Channel 4)
Author "it takes Guts"
Passionate Mother
