All Ofsted quotes have been taken from our last inspection operating as Home from Home Day Nursery School, and our latest inspection operating as Home from Home Day Nursery School Academy.

An effective team

The different skills, attitudes and personal qualities and qualifications make up the Home from Home team. The practitioners/staff aspirations are high and everyone understands that they are expected to fulfil their role. Communication is open and honest and practitioners/staff work hard and to a high standard and everyone takes joint responsibility for achieving the aims of the setting.

“The leadership and management of the setting is exemplary. There are high aspirations for the setting, practitioner's professional development and outcomes for all children. Exceptionally well managed documents and working directives ensure the well-being of the children and the very smooth running of the nursery” –Ofsted

Company Directors

Anne Carter is a Director at Home from Home and holds overall responsibility for the leadership, management, and strategic direction of the setting. She leads and supports practitioners, works closely with parents and carers, and plays a key role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the nursery. Anne has worked in partnership with Linda, Co-Director, for many years prior to Linda’s retirement, helping to maintain continuity and stability within the setting.

Anne brings a strong philosophical approach alongside well-developed strategic and leadership skills, working collaboratively with both the team and families. She is also the setting’s Mental Health Awareness Coordinator and currently serves as an active member of  National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA), representing Hertfordshire.

Anne has been part of the Home from Home team since February 2012 and became a Director in 2016. As a mother herself, she is deeply empathetic to the realities faced by families balancing parenting and professional life.

Anne’s professional qualifications include Infant Mental Health (University of Warwick), a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Children and Young People’s Services, diplomas in Child Psychology and Business and Management, Designated Safeguarding Officer training, and specialist training in mental health awareness, yoga for children, and early years practice.

Linda Collins

Founder & Director (Retired)
Early Years Teacher (EYT)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
BSc (Hons) Psychology
BTEC Edexcel Assessor Awards D32 & D33 – Childcare Standards

Linda is the founder of Home from Home, having established the setting in 1994 and shaped its vision and direction for over 30 years. With a lifelong career in Early Years Care and Education, Linda retired from her full-time Director role in April 2026.

Following her retirement, Linda continues her association with Home from Home as a Silent Director and Consultant, offering guidance and expertise and supporting staff training when required.

Management Team

Katie – General Manager

Katie holds a Level 6 Degree in Early Years Education, a Level 3 qualification in Childcare Learning and Development, and is a Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Officer.

Katie plays a key role in supporting the smooth day-to-day running of the setting, working closely with both parents and the team through clear and effective communication. She has been part of the Home from Home family since 2009 and brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the setting as a whole.

Katie began her journey at Home from Home as a student in the BBO room, where she completed her Level 3 qualification before going on to achieve her Early Years Degree. She has since progressed through a variety of roles, including Room Leader in the Fledglings and Squirrels units, and later Office Manager. In April 2026, Katie stepped into the role of General Manager.

She continues to develop her skills while providing daily support to the team, drawing on her extensive experience and passion for high-quality early years care.

Keira 

Office Manager, Health & Safety Lead:

Level 3 Childcare and Development, Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Officer

Keira has an award in British sign language and enjoys partaking in charity work, including helping to run residential holidays for under privileged children in Liverpool, she is an advocate for all children and brings an empathetic nature to the team. Keira started at Home from Home in July 2015, working as a key practitioner and later moving into a leadership role.  Keira stepped away from working directly with children in February 2022, taking on an administration role whilst continuing to support the leadership team, with roles such as Health & Safety Officer and supporting the Transition Coordinator role in an administrative capacity. She works closely with practitioners to ensure all children's individual needs are being met, communicating with parents and carrying out tasks associated with the administration role.

Lindsey

Environment Lead / Transition Coordinator:

Performing Arts Degree BA (Hons)

Level 3 Childcare Learning and Development

Prevent Training (WRAP)

Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher

Lindsey holds a Makaton Sign Language qualification and is pro-active in using it to include all children in the setting. Lindsey’s role is to be responsible for supporting and implementing the welfare, learning and development requirements within the Bees, Badgers and Owls group and to liaise with parents/carers and work with outside agencies where necessary. Lindsey particularly enjoys delivering the creative side of the curriculum, for example, dance and movement and also delivers the drama and yoga sessions and she is excellent in her method. Lindsey currently focuses her attention on our Bee group, supporting their transition into the older groups. Lindsey has been with Home from Home since 2009.

Chloe 

Leader / Early Years Educator, Cache Level 3:

Chloe joined the Home from Home team in 2014, she has enjoyed her journey in early years so far and finds her career inspiring and challenging. She is currently a senior key practitioner and leader within the Fledglings, Squirrels and Worker Bees groups, observing and planning next steps in order to develop children’s understanding and knowledge of their world. She supports the smooth running of the setting, taking on the additional role of Health and Safety lead within the younger end of the house.  

Faith

Deployment Lead / Early Years Educator, Cache Level 3:

Faith first joined our team as a student in 2020. Due to logistical reasons Faith moved closer to home and continued to gain experience as a qualified practitioner, as well as leading a team in another nursery setting. We were delighted to welcome Faith back in 2025, joining the team as a deployment lead in BBO.

Rosa

Deputy Leader & Transition Support / Early Years Educator, Level 6, Degree (Hons) Education

Rosa is a passionate and caring practitioner, she has many years experience working in early years and currently works within our younger end of the house, supporting routines and children's individual needs. Rosa has a degree in education which allows her to practice as a level 3 early years practitioner.  

Sabrina

Early Years Teacher (QTS):

Sabrina works within our Bees, Badgers & Owls unit, she supports our preschool children, preparing them for formal school. Sabrina is a qualified early years teacher, with previous experience in the state sector, working with primary age children. Sabrina is passionate about education and is always excited to see children's individual progress.

Qualified Practitioners and Students

Maisy

Early Years Educator, Level 3

Maisy is currently based with our younger children, she brings a calm and empathetic demeanor to the room. Whilst Maisy has an English background, she spent most of her life in Spain, where she has become fluent in Spanish. Whilst in Spain she spent time working in an international school, where she studied early years. 

Paige 

Early Years Educator, Level 3

Paige is an enthusiastic and energetic practitioner. She has young siblings which sparked her interest in a career in early years. Paige has recently completed a level 3 early years educator qualification and works with our older groups.

Maya 

Senior Student Early Years Educator, Level 2 EYE, studying for level 3 EYE: 

Maya joined our team as a junior student practitioner, in September 2022, she is now one of our senior students, having completed her level 2 diploma. Maya is eager to continue to develop her skills as well as carrying on her studies to gain more knowledge in the sector. Her confidence continues to grow in her practice and as a result the children gravitate towards her. 

Abby 

Junior Student Early Years Educator, working towards level 3 EYE: 

Abby joined our team as a junior student practitioner. She is eager to gain hands on experience and loves engaging in training to develop understanding of how children learn and how we can support them. 

Cheryl

Preschool Support Practitioner 

Cheryl joined our team to support the smooth running of our breakfast club. She now works Monday to Friday 7.30-3.00 during term time, supporting our preschool children and continues to support breakfast club during school holidays. Cheryl has previously worked in child protection when living in Hong Kong.

David 

Support Practitioner

David joined the team as a bank support practitioner, he is a valued member of the team and has built positive relationships with his colleagues and children. David has a background in the arts and brings his flamboyant personality to our diverse and charismatic team.

Chef and Ancillary Support

Maverick 

Chef:

Level 3 Food Safety and Catering

Mav is passionate about food and what he creates for the children on a daily basis tastes delicious! Mav works well with the leadership team to ensure all children have access to a balanced, nutritious and tasty diet.

Caroline 

Housekeeper

Caroline is a well organised individual, who pays attention to detail, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness throughout the house. She is always smiling and happy to lend a hand wherever she is needed. 

Accounts

Amanda

FCMA - Chartered Management Accountant:

Accounts and Financial Admin

Amanda joined our team in November 2025, she is a mother herself and so understands from a parents perspective, she is efficient and pays attention to detail. 

“The highly qualified practitioner/staff team is very successful in supporting and promoting the children’s welfare and learning to a high standard. Children feel safe and secure, they are cared for and equally important, they are cared about, in a welcoming, stimulating environment by a caring and motivated practitioner team. Very effective partnerships with parents/carers and other early years agencies contributes significantly to the process and development of all children” – Ofsted

"Staff are genuinely respectful and caring with children. They listen to them and provide considerate care routines. For example, before any care routines, such as wiping noses or changing nappies, staff ask children and tell them what will happen. This shows how staff value children, their rights and their sense of safety and security."- Ofsted

All staff at Home from Home are expected to be in Continuous Professional Development. It is a condition of employment that all staff, including ancillary and administration staff, hold a Paediatric 1st Aid certificate and have attended at least Level 1 in Safeguarding Children training. Where funding is not available from the Local Authority the setting fully commits to fund practitioners to access further professional qualifications.