Nature Kindergarten (Emberton)

Amy joined Acorn Early Years Foundation in 2025 and is the Manager of our Emberton setting. She brings with her an impressive twenty years of experience in childcare, having worked across a range of provisions including schools and, more recently, nursery environments where she led preschool before moving into management.

Throughout her career, Amy has developed a strong passion for creating safe, nurturing, and curiosity-driven environments where children can truly thrive. She values the relationships she builds with both children and their families, believing that strong partnerships are at the heart of high-quality early years education.

Since joining Acorn, Amy has completed her Forest School qualification, which has allowed her to further inspire children to explore the natural world, embrace outdoor learning, and challenge themselves within the unique and inspiring surroundings of Emberton Nursery.

One of Amy’s favourite things about her role is watching the children grow in confidence as they try new experiences outdoors. Whether that’s exploring the site, engaging in hands-on challenges, or simply discovering the joy of learning in nature.

Jules has over twenty years of experience working within childcare and education, beginning her career as a nursery nurse and developing her practice across a variety of roles including childminder, teaching assistant, and tutor. She recently stepped into the role of Deputy Manager at Acorn Day Nursery in Emberton, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and a genuine passion for early years education.

Throughout her career, Jules has remained committed to supporting children at the very start of their learning journey. She believes strongly in the value of holistic, play-based experiences and loves working within a nursery that embraces the outdoors as a powerful tool for learning, growth, and exploration.

Jules is particularly passionate about creating enriching environments where children feel confident to discover, question, and engage with the world around them. For her, there is no better place to begin a lifelong love of learning than right here, with our youngest children, supported by a team who truly values outdoor education and child-led development.

Eric joined Acorn Early Years Foundation in August 2022 at the Kents Hill site before moving over to Cold Harbour site in February 2024. Due to relocating he then transferred to Acorn Day Nursery in Emberton which consists of a Nursery and then the Nature Kindergarten and outdoor learning centre. Since joining the company, he has achieved his Level 3 Forest School Qualification which covers a large variety of topics, and he is really keen to complete this qualification and support the other staff members to have the love and passion for Forest Schools and supporting them into understanding how and why we do what we do. 

 Eric's favourite thing to do is taking the children on minibeast hunts, searching for the creepy crawlies, and looking at their habitats using tools, creating pencils and fairy wands with support of peelers, and cooking on the fire, Eric supports the children in lighting the fire as well as cooking their own snack and hot chocolates, YUM!