Nursery Staff

Nursery Manager & Owlets S Room Lead – Miss Olivia Shirley
Qualification – BA (Hons)
E:oshirley@barfieldprep.org.uk

Barfield has always been a part of me. My journey began as a pupil, before joining the staffing team as a Nursery Key Person, progressing to Room Lead and Deputy Manager, and now Nursery Manager and Room Lead in Owlets S.

I thoroughly enjoy my role, spending the mornings in the Owlets S classroom, supporting the children to meet their goals, a highlight to my day is hearing a child say “I did it”! In the afternoons, I am in various different classrooms supporting in Owls and Hatchlings, alongside time in the office! The year ahead is set to be an exciting one!

Nursery Room Lead and Deputy Nursery Manager – Miss Kassie Morris
Qualification – Level 3
E: kmorris@barfieldprep.org.uk

Kassie joined the Barfield family in July 2022 as a Nursery Key Person. She became a Room Lead in 2023, and has recently become Deputy Nursery Manager. Prior to joining Barfield she worked as an Early Years Assistant in an Infant School for seven years, and completed her ELSA training at the same time. Outside of Barfield, Kassie enjoys listening to music, Line Dancing, cooking and going on walks.

Hatchlings Room Lead – Mrs Claire Vaughan

Qualification – Level 3

E: cvaughan@barfieldprep.org.uk

Claire joined the Barfield family in April 2022 as a Nursery Key Person and now shares the room lead position in Owlets. Prior to joining Barfield Claire spent six years working as an TA in Reception. Before this role she worked as a Nursery Key Person for five years working with children aged between 2 and 4 years and attained her Level 3 childcare qualification. Since joining Barfield Claire has taken on a support role in the swimming pool which she really enjoys and has also passed her minibus training. Outside of Barfield, Claire enjoys spending time with her family and friends and going on long walks with her dog.

Nursery Room Lead – Ms Amy Talor

E: ataylor@barfieldprep.org.uk

Amy began working within the Nursery at the age of 17, helping out across each of our three age groups, and after completing her Degree at University, she became a key person.

Amy loves working with all the children and staff as they always put a big smile on her face! She enjoys how everyday is so different and finds it amazing to see how much progress the children make in a year, from when they first join to when they are ready to move on – they grow up so fast.

Nursery Room Lead – Miss Sophie Day

Qualification – Level 3
E: sday@barfieldprep.org.uk

Sophie attended Reading University and gained an Early Years Teaching Qualification. She has worked in multiple nurseries over the years, and has been at Barfield for 4 years, starting as a Key Person, and progressing to Room Lead last year. Sophie is hugely family orientated, and loves nothing more than spending time with the people she loves most. Her favourite place to be is by the sea. 

Nursery Room Lead – Ms Amber Swinerd

Qualification – Level 3, BEd (QTS)
E: aswinerd@barfieldprep.org.uk

Ms Swinerd gained a Level 3 in childcare and education at college and then went to university to train as a teacher, gaining a Bachelor of Education in Primary Education (Mathematics) with QTS. She has completed work experience in many settings, varying in age from Nursery to Year 6. After university, Ms Swinerd spent 2 years as a carer for children/young adults with disabilities before applying for a role at Barfield. Since being a child, she has always loved reading and spends a lot of her spare time with a book in hand – she currently owns over 750 books. When shes not reading, she loves to spend time going on hikes with friends, bouldering/climbing or travelling to different countries.