The Team

Meet Our Team

Michelle Mills - Pre-School Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Michelle joins us as manager in September 2024, bringing with her 20+ years of experience in leading preschool settings.

Kirsty Carruthers-Watt - Deputy Pre-School Manager

Kirsty joined Tutshill Community Pre-School in April 2023, bringing with her many years of experience in a variety of Early Years settings.

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Beckie McCarthy - Early Years Educator and Special Educational Needs Coordinator

I’m Beckie McCarthy and I’m delighted to have joined the team after 14 years as an Early Years and KS1 teacher and prior to that 7 years as a Nursery Nurse. I’ve worked in schools, nurseries and as a nanny and children’s holiday rep abroad.

I hold a degree in education as well as a PGCE Primary (Early Years and KS1).

I’m a busy Mum with three children. I love baking, especially birthday cakes! I enjoy art and crafts, spotting wildlife, especially foxes and I love to have adventures in the beautiful Wye Valley with my family.

Lauri Parkes - Early Years Educator

Lauri joined Tutshill Community Pre-School as bank staff and became a permanent member of the team in April 2024.

Emma Rickards - Early Years Practitioner

Hi, my name's Emma. I've worked at the Pre-School for a few years as 'bank' staff but was lucky enough to become a full-time member of the team in September 2019.

I love working with young children, each of them unique and individual in their own way, making each and every day full of challenges, laughter and fun!

In my spare time I love walking in our beautiful surroundings and spending time with my family caravanning and on our boat in Dartmouth.

Karen Canavan - Early Years Educator

Hi, I am Karen Canavan and I live in Tutshill with my husband, daughter and dog. We love
holidaying in West Wales in our caravan, dog walking on the beaches and Welsh Coastal Path, as well as exploring the countryside.

I have a passion for working with young children and their families. I have enjoyed my time in school and early years settings and this is definitely where we have the most fun!

When I am not at work or in West Wales, I like to spend time riding my bicycle and in my garden where I am learning new skills and finding out new things about plants, flowers, vegetables and weeds!

Charlie Hignell - Early Years Practitioner

Charlie joined Tutshill Community Pre-School in March 2023.

Sue Reid - Finance Administrator

Sue has many financial duties including claiming the government funding on behalf of our families.

Her qualifications include LCCI Office Practise, LCCI Background to Business and courses on End of Year Returns and Focus on Finance.

Tutshill Community Pre-School is run by a voluntary management committee, who are the trustees of our charity. We will always welcome new members, so if you'd like to be involved, please let us know!

For 2024/25 the trustees are:

Chair and Safeguarding Contact: Emily van der Heijden
Treasurer: Lara Berroth
Secretary: Claudia Thompson
Staff representative: Michelle Mills
Staff representative: Kirsty Carruthers-Watt
Events sub-committee: Olivia Andrews-Nicholas