Our Qualifications
Here at Wild Monkeys, we have a dedicated team of trained and qualified nursery practitioners, including a qualified teacher, a manager with a DipHE in Early Childhood, and more.
Our staff are highly qualified. All of our staff have:
- Child Protection/Safeguarding
- Food Safety Level 2
- Prevent Duty training
Childcare qualifications
- One Qualified Teacher
- One staff member with a Diploma of Higher Education in Early Childhood
Other training completed by our staff includes:
- Level 2 Equality & Diversity
- Balanceability training
- Behaviour Management
- Level 4 Child Psychology
- Oral Health
- Accident Prevention
- Various EYFS and Child Development courses
- Child Development 0-5 years
All of our staff are fully DBS checked.
Our Team
Val - Owner
2 Year Old Lead/Data Protection Lead, DIPHE Early Childhood
2 Year Old Lead/Data Protection Lead, DIPHE Early Childhood
My name is Valerie Wild and I live in Peacehaven with my partner. My sons Toby (who is at Sussex University) and Leo (who is at secondary school) and my daughter Heather (who is at college) live here too. I also have two cats called Gusgus and Jaqjaq (yes, named after the mice out of Cinderella!) I began as a childminder in 2005 which evolved to become Wild Monkeys Childcare in 2014. Now we have opened our Beach and Nature nurseries I tend to spend my days going between all three, offering support and guidance.
I have over 20 years experience looking after children of all ages and needs. In October 2019 I graduated from the Open University with a Diploma of Higher Education in Early Childhood. I also have many courses which you can see the certificates for in the setting. I was also recently a Mentor Champion for ESCC where I gained a Level 3 in Language & Literacy which means i have the extended knowledge to provide additional support for children communications and language. Jenny and I are also currently completely and NPQ in Early Years Leadership together. |
Jenny - Manager & EYFS Lead
Qualified Teacher
Qualified Teacher
Hello, my name is Jenny and I have been a primary school teacher for nearly 20 years. I worked in Reception for 6 years so I have a good knowledge of what the children will experience as they make the transition to school. As a qualified teacher, I bring my experience and knowledge to Wild Monkeys to support the learning and development of the children. I have Paediatric First Aid, Food Safety Level 2, Child Protection training, Prevent training, and a full DBS.
I have known Val for a very long time, because I’m her big sister! I live with my husband and three children. I really enjoy working alongside my sister. I've been a Wild Monkey since 2016. |
Lynne - Manager, SENCO Lead, Beach Nursery Lead
NVQ Level 3
NVQ Level 3
Hello, my name is Lynne and I live in Telscombe cliffs with my husband, two daughters and my dog Betty.
I've been a child care practitioner for over 16 years and manager since Wild Monkeys took over the nursery. I have an NVQ level 3 in Children's care, learning and development and also training in Paediatric first aid , Child protection, Senco and Safeguarding. I find it so rewarding working with young children and helping them to develop and reach their full potential. I have been working with Wild Monkeys since 2022 |
Katie - Beach Deputy Manager/ Fire Warden
NVQ Level 3
NVQ Level 3
Hello my name is Katie, I live in peacehaven with my husband and 2 daughter's Emilia and Sofia. My youngest daughter attended Wild Monkeys and loved it there which is where I got to know Val and the team.
Since I left school in 2011 I knew I always wanted to work with children, so went straight into an apprenticeship in a nursery from there I gained my NVQ level 2 and 3 and worked in a few different nurseries and a creche. I was very excited when I heard that Wild Monkeys were looking for a deputy and even more excited when I was offered the position. I have been working at Wild Monkeys since 2022 |
Trudi - Practitioner
NVQ Level 3
NVQ Level 3
Hi , my name is Trudi and I live in Newhaven with my husband Julian , I have two sons and a daughter who have all flown the nest !
I have worked as a nursery practitioner for 16 years and have a NVQ 3 as well as my paediatric first aid and child protection levels 1 and 2 , I also have a full dbs check. I have been working with Wild Monkeys since 2022 |
Emily - Practitioner and Baby Lead
NVQ Level 3
NVQ Level 3
Hi, I'm Emily.
I've worked in childcare for more than 17 years and live in Peacehaven with my family. I have 2 children who go to local schools. I have always enjoyed working with children and so gained my level 3 qualification and started working in nurseries. I have been with Wild Monkeys since 2022 |
Alison - Practitioner and Child Protection Lead
NVQ Level 2
NVQ Level 2
Hello, my name is Alison. I live in Peacehaven with my husband, our three daughters and our dog Obi. After having my 3 children and being a stay at home mum for a number of years I started volunteering at my daughter's nursery. I was offered a permanent job and haven't looked back since.
I've now worked as a nursery practitioner in the same setting for the past 10 years. I have a CACHE level 2 certificate for the children and young people's workforce. I also have SENCO, child protection and paediatric first aid training. I find working with children extremely rewarding and every day is different. It's wonderful to see each of the children grow and progress during their time at nursery. I have been working with Wild Monkeys since 2022 |
Charlotte - Practitioner
Working Towards NVQ Level 3
Working Towards NVQ Level 3
Hi my name is Charlotte. I live in Newhaven with my husband and 2 children. I have always wanted a career working with children, now that mine are older I’m hoping to achieve this with the help of Val and the team.
I am working in the Beach Nursery with a great team. I love getting stuck in and helping the children before they start school. I am currently unqualified, but I am currently working toward my level 3 qualification. I have been with Wild Monkeys since 2023 |
Bekki - Practitioner
Working Towards NVQ Level 3
Working Towards NVQ Level 3
Hi, I live in Peacehaven with my daughter, who is now school. She use to be a little monkey at the Wild Monkeys Forest Nursery from 6m old.
I have done chaperoning at my daughters dance school as well as at the day centre. I have always been interested in childcare and when the opportunity with Val came up, I jumped at the chance. I am just starting my training with Wild Monkeys now. I have been with Wild Monkeys since 2024 |
Laura
NVQ Level 3
Hello my name is Laura. I live in peacehaven with my husband, two children and our dog called Jess.
I have started working with Val in 2012 when she was a childminder and this was when I completed my NVQ level 3 in childcare. Once having my second child, I decided to stay at home to focus on my children. 8 years later, I am back, and loving working at Wild Monkeys again x |