Meet the Little Elves Team

Emma Spence
Emma SpenceManager

I joined Little Elves in December 2007

Responsibilities

  • Managing the pre school, staff, children and families
  • Part of the Management team
  • Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Staff management and deployment

Qualifications:

  • NVQ Early Years Care and Education level 3
  • NVQ Children’s care, learning and development level 4
  • Foundation degree of arts in Early Years Care and Education (level 5)
  • BA (Level 6)
  • Early Years Teacher Status
Karen Craven
Karen CravenDeputy Manager and Keyperson

I joined Little Elves in May 2017

Responsibilities

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Supervisor, running the pre school rooms
  • In charge in Manager’s absence
  • Part of the Management team
  • Supporting Students
  • Health and safety officer
  • First Aid officer

Qualifications:

  • NVQ in children care, learning and development level 3
Karen Spencer
Karen SpencerFinancial Controller/ Pre-School assistant

I joined Little Elves in June 2015

Responsibilities

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Part of the Management team
  • Supporting Supervisor in Manager’s absence

Qualifications:

  • 2:2 Degree in Business Finance

I am also a Pre school practitioner during the week

Kerry Perks
Kerry PerksSnack Supervisor

I joined Little Elves in November 2014.

Responsibilities

  • looking after snack and introducing new foods.
Sam Rankcom
Sam RankcomKeyperson, BECo, SENCo

I joined Little Elves in April 2018

Responsibilities

  • Behaviour Coordinator (BECo)
  • Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)

Qualifications:

  • NVQ Early Years Care and Education Level 3
  • NVQ in Children’s Care, Learning and Development Level 4
  • Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social care and children and young people’s services – Children and young people’s management Level 5
Danielle Lacey
Danielle LaceyKeyperson

I joined Little Elves in January 2018

Qualifications:

  • Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator) level 3 completed Aug 2021
Zsuzsanna Emery
Zsuzsanna EmeryKeyperson

I joined Little Elves in February 2020

Qualifications:

  • Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner (Early Years Educator) level 3 completed August 2022
Sam Mackelden
Sam MackeldenSupervisor and Keyperson

I joined Little Elves in Oct 2022

Qualifications:

  • NNEB
Ania Wichlacz
Ania WichlaczKeyperson

I joined Little Elves in June 2023

Qualifications:

  • QTS
Vicki Bee
Vicki BeeSupport assistant

I joined Little Elves in February 2024

Qualifications

  • Currently studying towards Level 3 Early Years Educator
Hollie Scott
Hollie ScottSupport assistant

I joined Little Elves in June 2025

Qualifications:

Melissa Nicholls
Melissa NichollsKeyperson

I joined Little Elves in June 2025

Qualifications:

Helen Jones
Helen JonesKeyperson

I first worked at Little Elves in 2006, after a short break when i moved out of Fleet in 2021, i returned to Little Elves in March 2024

Qualifications:

  • Level 3 NVQ CCLD
  • Level 4 NVQ CCLD
  • Level 5 Diploma CYPW
Tarryn Wannenburg
Tarryn WannenburgKeyperson

I joined Little Elves in March 2024

Qualifications:

  • NQF level 4 Early childhood development (South Africa)
  • Completed a Level 3 Early years Educator Feb 2025

Meet the Little Elves Committee

Committee Members
The Little Elves Committee: Lauren McNiven (Chair), Billie Hearmon (Vice-Chair) Emma Spence (Secretary) Gary Spencer (Treasurer), Louise Green, Jorja Hodge, Laura Lewis