Emma Dornan-McGowan
Nursery Owner & Director, Special Educational
Needs Co-ordinator
Emma works in the Early Years sector and brings over 16 years of experience, enjoying all aspects of her role. Her experience includes managing nursery schools and children’s centres, as well as working as an Early Years Advisor and Special Educational Needs Development Officer for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. She holds a Foundation Degree in Early Years.
Emma is passionate about ensuring every child is given equal opportunities to develop and grow within an inspiring and supportive environment. She also enjoys supporting staff and ensuring they feel valued. Emma opened her first preschool in September 2017 and continues to find fulfilment in her journey. Her biggest motivation for opening her own setting is creating a safe space where children feel secure and every day truly counts. Children bring her immense happiness, and she loves watching them develop their own unique character.
Charlene Basterfield
Director & Area Manager
Charlene works in the Early Years and has over a decade of experience, holding a wide range of qualifications. She holds a Level 3 qualification along with multiple other child-related courses. Charlene is extremely passionate about Early Years and feels a strong sense of responsibility to ensure all children are school-ready. Her strongest skill is supporting children’s social development and empowering them to believe in their own capabilities. She builds strong relationships with both past and present parents, as she genuinely cares about families and the wider community. Charlene describes herself as “infectious,” as she loves making people happy and is often found being silly with the children and allowing them to simply be children.
Tiffany McShane
Director, Manager and Management Support Officer
Tiffany works with children and has been in the Early Years sector since the age of 16, beginning her journey with Building Blocks Preschool in 2018. She holds a Level 3 qualification in Early Years, along with a Level 3 qualification in supporting children with special needs, and is currently undertaking a Level 5 qualification. Tiffany is kind and patient and enjoys helping children feel welcomed and safe within the preschool environment. She is passionate about teaching children the importance of kindness, believing it to be a core value that shapes young minds for life. Tiffany began her journey at Building Blocks Preschool as an apprentice and now works as a Director, a role that brings her great happiness.
Roberta Appiah
Deputy Manager
Roberta holds a Level 3 qualification in Early Years and has worked at Building Blocks Preschool since 2022. She is a ball of energy and enjoys motivating children through singing and dancing throughout the day. Roberta speaks a wide range of languages and often helps settle children by communicating with them in their mother tongue. She uses each child’s individual interests to support their development and enjoys seeing children grow curious about new experiences. Roberta believes working with children is a truly amazing career.
Leanne Goodridge
Level 3 practitioner
Leanne has over 22 years of experience in childcare and works across all age groups, from nurturing infants in baby rooms to supporting the learning and development of preschoolers. Her greatest passion is witnessing each child’s journey as they grow, learn, and discover the world around them. Being part of that journey and helping to shape children’s early experiences and development is both a privilege and the most rewarding aspect of her role.
Claire Dunn
Level 3 practitioner
Claire holds a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and has over a decade of experience working in Early Years. She enjoys being creative and encourages children to use their imagination through expressive arts and design. Claire is passionate about supporting children in managing their feelings and uses effective strategies to help them express themselves confidently within a safe and supportive environment.
Letitia Moreanu
Level 2 practitioner
Letitia begins her journey at Building Blocks Preschool as a student while working towards her Level 2 qualification. She is currently undertaking her Level 3 in Early Years while working as a full-time practitioner. Letitia is patient, kind, nurturing, and caring. She enjoys supporting children with English as an additional language as they develop new skills and build their vocabulary.
Chloe Freeman
Nursery Apprentice
Chloe is a very patient and caring practitioner who uses her role as a key person to build strong, secure relationships with all children. She enjoys using her initiative to create engaging and creative activities for children to take part in at preschool. Chloe has always had a passion for working with children and is excited to begin her Level 2 training in Childcare.
Famella Orillo
Level 2 Practitioner
Famella holds a Level 2 qualification in Childcare and brings valuable personal experience as a mother of three. Tagalog is her first language, which helps her support children from diverse backgrounds. She enjoys watching children grow and succeed and is excited to continue developing her career in Early Years.
Sera Montague
Nursery Apprentice
Working in childcare is a true passion for Sera, and she is excited to begin her career in Early Years. She is a caring individual who enjoys engaging children in creative activities and supporting their learning and development.
Sneha Paul
Level 3 practitioner
Sneha holds a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and is currently studying for a Foundation Degree in Early Years. She gains hands-on experience at Building Blocks Preschool, where she continues to develop her skills and understanding of early childhood education. Sneha is passionate about supporting young children’s learning and development and is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for all children in her care.
Natalie Payne
Nursery Apprentice
Natalie joins Building Blocks Preschool with three years of experience working in a local nursery and is studying towards her Level 3 Childcare qualification. She loves pre-planning fun, engaging activities that support children’s learning and development through play. With her calm and kind nature, she enjoys being part of the team here at Building Blocks Preschool.