Staff

Nickie joined the Pre-School in September 2022 and has been our Manager since early 2023.
Hello my name is Nickie Dellow, I have worked in both primary and early years education for over 25 years, I am a qualified level 3 teaching assistant and early years educator.
I love working with children and feel passionate that all children should have a positive early experience in education to enable them to develop the foundation skills needed to support their educational journey.
I have been married for 32 years and have 2 children that I couldn’t be more proud of. My hobbies are my horses and going on holidays to Scotland on the back of my husbands motorbike.

After a career in banking Julia became involved as a committee member at Debden Pre-School where her two sons attended. Once her children had moved on to primary school, Julia started to work at the Pre-School as an assistant. Julia then took her level 2 and level 3 qualifications and attended a number of courses during the 11 years she worked at the Pre-School. She became deputy manager and then manager before the Pre-School closed in July 2018. Julia then worked at the Bell Day Nursery for 6 months in Saffron Walden before joining Wendens Ambo Pre-School in February 2019. Julia enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and having long walks with her dog!

Clair has been with the Pre-School since January 1995 when the first of her 2 children started with us. She became involved as a Parent help and joined the Committee as Membership Secretary in 1998. Clair joined the staff as relief assistant in January 1999 and now works part-time. She has recently completed courses on Curriculum Planning, and a ‘Journey Through Learning’.

Laura joined us in September 2025, after having been part of our management committee. She has a PGCE in Science, having worked as a teacher for 10 years. Both her children attended the pre-school and this is how Laura became involved with volunteering for us. When not at work, Laura enjoys being active with her young family, playing tennis, bike-riding and swimming. Laura is also honing her baking skills and runs sessions for the pre-school children to help them learn too.

Catherine is a qualified teacher with years of experience with both school and early years education. Catherine worked at Debden Pre-School for 3 years as their pre-school teacher and before that at Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge, and Dame Bradbury’s School in Saffron Walden.

Karen has worked in childcare settings for 35 years. She started working in pre-schools and schools when her own children were young. Karen then went on to run her own pre-school which lead to her opening up her own private full day nursery. Karen is qualified to level 4 and has a significant bank of knowledge in early years education as well as the experience that goes with a long and dedicated career in early years care. Karen now enjoys helping us out when we need her!