Our Staff
Clare and Mark Ryalls
Owners
My husband and I would like to warmly welcome your family to Amberley Nursery and Forest School. We moved to Bexhill in 2001 and have enjoyed growing and developing Amberley with a dedicated team of professionals. Shortly after moving to Amberley we started our own family; becoming a parent for the first time was the most exciting and rewarding experience. It gives us great pleasure to share in your experiences of becoming a family, working with you to ensure your child gets maximum benefit in their time at Amberley. We value education for all and strive to give everyone a passion for lifelong learning. After our third and final child Clare attended Brighton University and gained her BA (Hons). This has strengthened our beliefs and given us a deeper knowledge and understanding of child development. During her time at university she was introduced to the concept of Forest School. Clare was so amazed at the outstanding benefits this has for children and determined to bring this to Amberley. So In 2012 Mark embarked in gaining the qualification requirements to become a Forest Section Leader. In 2013 we gained our Forest School status. We are a progressive educational establishment where the values and opinions of children, parents and staff are at the forefront of our desire to support our community. We truly hope your family's journey with us is productive and truly happy one.
Jess H
Operations Manager
I started working with children in 2010 and have worked in a variety of settings, including as a nanny, child minder and in nurseries. I have also worked at PGL as an Activity Instructor and Group Leader, as well as at Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club as a Football Coach. I have an NVQ level 3. I joined the Amberley team in 2016, I enjoy working with babies and toddlers and love messy play. I became Deputy in 2018 and now currently job sharing the Manager role
Lisa G
Manager and Safeguarding Lead
I have worked at Amberley since 2001 in many roles, from a school student on placement to now being the Manager. I am passionate about working with families to support children to learn and develop at their own pace, in a happy and safe environment. I gained NVQs Level 2 and 3 in Early Years Care and Education whilst working as an apprentice back in the mid-2000s, later completing a foundation degree, and most recently, a first class honours degree in Early Years Care and Education. I have just returned from Maternity leave and look forward to meeting you all!
Jess M
Deputy Manager
Im Jess, I have moved down from London to Bexhill with my 2 children. I have passion for child led play and open ended activities. I adore nature and being outdoors.
Mia
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
Mia has just finished a degree in clinical psychology and is the Nursery Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.
She loves plants, if you are short on time please do not ask her about them!
Nyree
Senior Section Leader and Section Leader of Preschool
I first came to Amberley as a student in 2019 as part of my Level 3 Diploma in Early Years & Education at Bexhill College. I then did my Level 5 and have just embarked on an Open University Degree in Early Years to further my knowledge. I enjoy watching the children learn and develop through different types of play. My favourite is messy play.
Daisy
Section Leader of Toddlers
I'm Daisy, I enjoy baking ( especially chocolate cakes!) and playing team sports like netball and cricket. I have achieved my level 2 in childcare, and am embarking on level3! I baby sit my brother's 8 children which is never boring!
Tia
Section Leader of Babies
Hi, I'm Tia! I love sport, especially netball. I have been playing it for a very long time now. As much as I love sports I also love food! And I wont hesitate to do some baking or cooking, even if no one eats it! I completed my Level 2 in August 23 and started my Level 3 in April 24
Alexander
Apprentice Early Years Educator
Hi, my name is Alexander, I have been at Amberley around my studies since September 2022, and it has been a thoroughly positive experience for me. I really enjoy playing with the children and getting them to think critically about the activities they take part in. I have just started my Level 3 in early years education
Desta
Apprentice Early Years Educator
Hi I'm Desta, just started my Level 2 in childcare. In my spare time I like to bake, play my bass guitar and read. My favourite food is cake and I LOVE Elephants!
Emma
Early Years Educator
Hi, my name is Emma and I have recently moved from Eastbourne to Bexhill and have worked in early years since I was 19.
I am an auntie to 5 beautiful children and I love spending time with them on my days off. I love reading and spending time with my family and friends :)
India
Early Years Educator
I have finished my second year of a History degree in Lincoln. I will be back in all the holidays. I love spending time with the children, chatting, playing outside and having fun watching them develop holistically
Jackie
Early Years Educator - Bank Staff
All of my career was spent working in Primary Schools, teaching and heading in an infant school in Milton Keynes. Now I have re located to Bexhill with my husband and am enjoying living at the seaside. I have a grown up son who lives in Australia. I enjoy reading, playing the piano and going to music concerts and the Theatre. I keep trying to retire but Mark won't let me as he misses me too much!
Julian
Maintenance and Groundkeeping
Hi I'm Julian and I am up for creating all the wonderful ideas the staff have, and turn them into reality! As well as fix, repair, decorate, keep the garden etc
Lisa P
Bank Staff
My name is Lisa, I have been in education for more than 30 years. I love working with children and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support learning through play and communication. I see every child as beautiful and unique. I love to walk on the beach with my three dogs and spend time with my family- including my new chickens!
Mirei
Early Years Educator
Hello! My name is Mirei, I moved down from London to Bexhill 6 years ego. I have 24 years experience of working in multi-cultural settings, embracing the diversity of cultural differences and family backgrounds.
I have worked in a variety of settings, including BBC Wood Lane nursery, The Hammersmith Hospital (NHS nursery), Pre-School Learning Alliance, The London School of Economics nursery and Hollington nursery school. Now I am pleased to share my experiences and be part of the Amberly and Forest School team!
During my journey in Early Years and Education sector, I gained qualifications in NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education and CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in working with Children and Young People. Later, I pursued my study at Birbeck university and University College London where I completed a Foundation Degree in Psychology for Education professionals and in 2016, I gained a degree in Bachelor of Art in Education.
I am passionate about working with children and supporting children's learning and development through education and nurture. I am always proud to see how children develop and become confident and independent learners.
Rosy
Early Years Educator
I am another Gruffalo fan, and if I'm not reading then I'm walking or doing crochet. I love being outdoors and being creative.
Ruby
Apprentice
Hi! I'm Ruby and I’m an apprentice here at Amberley completing my level 3! In my spare time I love love love going to the beach! I am always listening to music and love messy play (especially when it involves paint)
Shima
Early Years Educator
I am Qualified to in Level 3 Childcare. I enjoy working with children all ages. I like cooking, swimming, reading and walking.
Would you love to work at Amberley Nursery & Forest School?
Early Years Educator, Bank staff, Level 3
We are always looking for bank staff, to help cover holidays and sickness. Are you interested?
Do you have a warm smiling face that makes every child feel special?
- laugh at jokes you don't understand, or you don't find funny?
- have a little bit (lot) of quirkiness? If a child requests that you be a captain of a pirate ship,
- you will be the best pirate captain you can be!
- feel comfortable telling everybody in the same room as you, that you are going to the toilet?
- have the ability to sing out of tune in front of a crowd?
- distribute warm hugs as required?
- possess the skills required to rapidly count the heads of numerous moving small people?
- feel comfortable entering public places on the way home from work, with unknown substances on your clothing?
- have a high level of comfort around talking about bodily functions? You must also have a strong sense of smell to enable you to respond to said bodily functions.
- pretend to eat playdough creations realistically? Or drink numerous cups of pretend tea?
- have the ability to read a ten page fairy tale, upside down, with at least 4 interruptions per page?
Enjoy having lots of fun in the workplace? Laughter is something you can expect to engage in for a large part of your working day.
Finally, you must be prepared to feel loved, special and important to many young children and their families.
We are in search of a very special level 3 or above qualified person to join our incredible team
A level 3 or above qualification in Early Years and Childcare is absolutely essential.
No applications will be considered without. We do not accept applicants through an agency.
Location: Amberley Nursery, Buckhurst Rd, Bexhill. Occasionally in the Highwoods too!
Salary: Dependant on your qualification and experience but above NMW/NLW
This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established team
You will be someone who demonstrates a mature attitude and who is experienced and focused on delivering excellent standards of care and early years education with a natural ability to work as part of a team, having fun as you do it!
Essential requirements:-
- DBS certificate on the update service/ Clean criminal record. Can be reapplied for.
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (can be updated)
- Paediatric First Aid certificate (can be updated)
- Safeguarding children certificate (can be updated)
- Ability to demonstrate responsibility and flexibility and use your own initiative
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of the EYFS
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of online learning journeys and observation writing.
- Knowledge of health and safety legislation, the Ofsted Standards and all other legislative bodies.
There is simply no other job quite like this!
Salary: £11.50-£12.00 per hour
