We have a wonderful, fun and experienced team who are committed to their ongoing professional development.
We are proud of the range of skills and interests each member of the team brings to the setting which continues to enrich children’s experiences.
Veronique Blanc (Manager, Child Protection Officer & Key Person)
Joined the team in 2012. Both her daughters attended Harcourt.
Qualified Teacher
Veronique is French and a qualified Secondary School teacher who has been teaching modern languages for more than twenty years in and around Bristol.
She finds each day is different when working with small children. They say insightful and amusing comments about everyday life that never cease to amaze.
Veronique is particularly interested in the love of the outdoors and cooking. She has developed cooking for festivals and religious celebrations, making it a fun, hands-on experience. The children make delicious spring rolls and onion bhajis to take home.
Judy Burton (Key Person)
Joined the team in November 2007
Qualified Primary Teacher
Her additional training at Harcourt includes; Effective Characteristics of Early Maths Teaching, Leadership and Management, Supporting children with additional needs and Learning Language and Loving It.
Judy enjoys observing the speed at which children learn, their enthusiasm and interest in everything and their capacity for fun and laughter.
Her particular interests are in early maths/ emergent numeracy and supporting children to develop positive conflict resolution strategies. She also has a passion for messy play and the exploration and investigation opportunities that if offers.
Lucy Ekaney (Key Person)
Joined the team in September 2006
Qualified Early Years Practitioner
Lucy supported the setting in developing its values and aims and has completed a leadership and management course.
Lucy provides calm and attentive support to children within her key group. Originally from Cameroon, Lucy enjoys music and dance.
Cathy Wheadon (Pre-School Support)
Joined the team in 1989 and jointly ran Harcourt for 7 years.
Cathy has completed the first level of Forest School training.
Cathy has many years of experience working with young children, her children attended Harcourt and now her grandson!
Cathy enjoys watching children grow, their excitement at discovering new things and experiences, and their sense of humour. She has an ear for listening to children and picking up on their views and ideas.
Her particular interests are storytelling and imaginary play. She makes children laugh with her funny songs and puppets including Gerald the Goldfish.
Raj Lonergan (Curriculum Leader & Key Person)
Joined the Team in September 2018
Rajni is a qualified secondary school teacher in Science and taught in London for 12 years before taking a break after her third child was born.
She has always loved working with children and volunteered as a parent helper, classroom assistant and then a pre-school teacher as life led her from London to New Zealand.
Her fourth child attended Harcourt and thoroughly enjoyed her time here and Rajni is delighted to be part of the team here. She is particularly interested in capturing children’s imagination through science and exploration and watching them grow in confidence.
Elena Tostado (Key Person)
Joined the team in September 2016
Qualified Level 3 Early Years Practitioner
Elena is Spanish and has lived in the UK since 2014. She has a degree in Psychology.
Elena is wonderful at developing good relationships with the children and enjoys role playing and playing games with them. She loves to be a daily part of the children’s lives and is interested in all aspects of their learning.
Suzanne Croucher (Deputy Manager and SENCo)
Joined the team in April 2017
Suzanne is our Administrator and her responsibilities include managing the waiting list/ allocating places for our September intake, scheduling pre-school and home visits, bills/ payroll and IT support. Since September 2020, Suzanne has taken on the role of SENCo.
Before having her three boys, who all attended Harcourt, Suzanne was an IT Project Manager.
Suzanne studied Sociology and Psychology at Bristol University with a focus on Child Development, Psychology of Classrooms and Educational Psychology which is a great asset to Harcourt.
Suzanne enjoys reading stories to the children and hearing their news at Snack time/ Lunch Club, when she can escape the office!