Staff Profile

Name
Julie Kelsey

Joined the Nursery
June 2025

Job Title
Out of School Co-ordinator and Forest School Leader

Qualifications
Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary Education
NNEB Level 3 in Childcare
Forest School Leader (Level 3)
Outdoor First Aid
Paediatric First Aid
Food Safety and Hygiene

Notes
I am so excited to be joining the team at Smisby Day Nursery and SmizKids 511! I feel I have come full circle in becoming a Nursery Practitioner once more because my early career was working in a Nursery with a similar family atmosphere.

When I first qualified as a nursery nurse in the 1980’s I worked as a private nanny. After marrying Mr K and having my daughter I started working at a private Day Nursery, eventually becoming the Deputy Manager.

When my son was born in 1996, our family circumstances changed, and I made the decision to focus on raising my own children. During that time, I became a registered childminder and co-founded a local Mother and Toddler group with my mum. This experience reignited my love for learning and led me back into education.

After completing my teaching degree, I worked in local schools across a range of age groups—from nursery and reception to Key Stage 1, and more recently, Key Stage 2. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked as a supply teacher and found myself spending more time teaching outdoors.

It was during this period that I discovered a passion for outdoor learning and trained to become a Forest School Leader. Becoming a grandparent has added another layer to my life, and I love being actively involved in my grandchildren’s day to day lives

I’m keen to share the Forest School ethos with the children at Smisby Day Nursery and SmizKids. Be Warned! I love anything messy, (mud, paint, water, food), you name it. I am passionate about gardening, science and reading stories. Oh, and I’m a "big recycler" - I hate throwing anything away that can be rescued or repurposed!




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