our team
Kerry Lowe – Proprietor
After Kerry realised her passion for working with children, she approached Emma in 2006 to begin a new venture. This developed into the opening of Scallywags Chelmsford in March 2007. Kerry has gained an Early Years Foundation Degree in Early Years childcare and education.
Kerry has completed many courses within her profession. These include Safeguarding children, Paediatric First Aid, The Role of the Equality Co-ordinator, Communicating effectively outdoors, Food Safety, Health and Safety, Makaton, British Sign Language Level 1, Safer recruitment, Child Psychology level 3 , Allergy and Anaphylaxis shock admission, The role of the SENCO, Autism spectrum and Speech, Mental health, Language and Communication to name but a few.
Kerry is one of the settings Designated Safeguarding Officers and also the settings Equality Officer.
Scallywags Chelmsford has grown from strength to strength and Kerry is privileged to be able to say, we are busy due to our unique setting, Outstanding Ofsted feedback and recommendations from our parents.
Emma Reynolds – Proprietor
Emma qualified in childcare in 1999 and was trying to juggle her career and motherhood whilst her son was a baby, she was disappointed in the quality and options available to her when looking for childcare. Emma decided that the only way to address her concerns as a parent was to open her own nursery. An idea was born and in 2002 when her son was 2 years of age, Emma founded Scallywags Nursery Hornchurch. As the years have passed Scallywags has gained a wonderful reputation and the great demand for spaces is now a reflection on the quality of our service. In 2007 Emma went into partnership with Kerry Lowe, a former employee at Hornchurch, to open a 2nd Scallywags Nursery in Chelmsford, Essex. Emma has gained Early Years Foundation Degree in Early Years alongside many other early years courses.
Nicola McPherson-Mason – Operations Manager and SENCO
Nicola has worked for Scallywags for the past 14 years, starting her career at Hornchurch in 2004. It was a natural transition that when Scallywags Chelmsford opened in March 2007 that Nicola became Manager.
Nicola has completed a variety of training courses including a Cache Level 3 in Childcare, Level 5 in Management, Level 3 Health and Safety, First Aid, Safeguarding, Food hygiene. Nicola is the settings Health and Safety Officers and Designated Safeguarding Officers. She is also the settings lead SENCO and has completed her Level 3 SENCO Accreditation.
Nicola has a good relationships with both staff and parents. She is always looking for new and exciting ways to support the children's development and learning.
Abbie Swann - Early Years Quality Assurance Manager
Abbie has worked at Scallywags since 2015 as Preschool supervisor and Deputy Manager. In 2021, Abbie was then promoted to Early Years Quality Assurance manager.
Abbie holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years and Education Studies, and is continuously updating her professional development through many courses, such as a Level 3 Paediatric First Aid and a Level 3 in Safeguarding. Abbie is one of the settings Designated Safeguarding Leads.
Abbie enjoys attending a variety of courses to expand her knowledge and practice and Abbie is currently completing and leading the setting through an Accreditation on Hygge in the Early Years and an Accreditation on Adding Impact - Just Quality Award.
Abbie takes pride in all her work and will always have your child’s interests at heart, working closely with your family group to support your child. Abbie brings excitement and enthusiasm to her job role and finds working with children extremely rewarding.
Dani Hatch- Deputy Manager & Forest Friends Supervisor
(On Maternity Leave)
Dani has worked at Scallywags since 2013 where she completed her Early Years apprenticeship as a Level 3. Dani then went on to complete her BA (Hons) in Early Education and Childhood Studies and is currently Deputy Manager and the Supervisor of our brand new outdoor classroom ‘Forest Friends’.
Dani has also completed her Level 3 Paediatric First aid, Level 3 Safeguarding, Mindfulness and Yoga and a Level 1 Forest School training, alongside many other courses which adds to her professional knowledge and experience.
Dani is also the settings training coordinator and works alongside Abbie to provide training for staff and families to develop their continuous professional development and support children’s learning too.
Thor - Our Nursery Dog
At Scallywags, we strongly encourage animal companions whenever possible🐾.
We have a Labrador called Thor, who brings a whole host of benefits to the children. Thor is gentle and fearless, greeting everyone as a friend. This makes Thor an excellent companion, as he loves to be around all the children and staff.
It’s wonderful to see how the children react and communicate with Thor. They explore Thor’s fur, ears and tail, and begin to make eye contact with him and marvel at their reactions and excitement.
Thor also joins the children on outings, they take him on their visits to the local park and on their Forest School sessions. They take turns in helping to hold his lead and watching his behaviour as they walk.
Jungle Cub Team
Laura- Baby Room Supervisor (Maternity Leave)
Zoe - Early Years Practitioner
Robyn - Early Years Practitioner
Elizabeth - Early Years Apprentice
Toddler Unit Team
Victoria - Toddler Unit Supervisor
Tilly - Early Years Apprentice
Stacey - Early Years Practitioner
Hollie - Early Years Apprentice
Paige - Early Years Practitioner
Vanessa - Early Years Practitioner
Faye - Early Years Assistant
Sophie - (Maternity Leave)
Forest Friends Team
Lexa - Early Years Practitioner
Megan - Early Years Assistant
Abigail - Early Years Assistant
Molly - Early Years Apprentice
The Nature Club Team
Kelli-Ann - Nature Club Supervisor
Mihaela - Early Years Apprentice
Faith - Early Years Practitioner
Pauline - Nursery Assistant
Julie - Nursery Chef
Millie - Early Years Assistant