'As a child I always used to play ‘teachers’, so it was no surprise that in 2011 I completed my Primary PGCE and started my first full-time post as a Year 1 teacher in Pembrokeshire. In the four years that followed I moved to Swansea and taught in two different Primary Schools in the Foundation Phase.

I am particularly interested in outdoor learning and nature-based play, so in 2014 I completed my Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification to encourage children to use the natural world to learn, develop and take risks. In January 2016 I decided to take a break from full-time teaching to set up my own Forest School Workshop Company ‘Wild Things’. It was then that I was contacted by Tori at Coed Derw and offered a part-time post.

Coed Derw’s holistic and friendly atmosphere was apparent as soon as I walked through the door. Every child’s individual needs are catered for and play is child-led. I happily accepted the post and am enjoying the daily challenges and the rewards in watching the children learn and develop through play.

My favourite childhood play memory is undoubtedly building dens in the green space at the bottom of our road. We used to pretend to be explorers and go on adventures along the edge of the local river. We usually ended up returning home with very wet, muddy clothes and big smiles on our faces!'