Our Staff Team

Who We Are

The staff team at Evergreen Wood bring a wealth of experience and a love of teaching to our setting. Everyone is dedicated to giving your child the best start on their journey into education.

About our Playschool

It’s All about Play

Making Learning Fun For Kids

If learning isn’t fun, engaging and inspiring, none of that learning is going to sink in. Playschool isn’t like formal desk based front of the room schooling and our play based curriculum moves and flows with the children on an almost daily basis. This challenge needs a dedicated staff team that puts the needs of the children first as we hope to spark a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. In one morning session around the room the team can be leading expeditions to the desert looking for dinosaur bones, diving under the sea, and reaching for the stars all led by the magical imaginations of the children in our care.

Our Teachers

The Evergreen Wood Team

It can be hard to find teachers that can bring the diverse talents of empathy, education, and fun necessary to make Playschool a rewarding experience and we’re lucky to have found just that in our team. Let’s introduce them.

Ellie Heron

Playschool Leader & DCPO

Ellie joined us as Playschool Leader in September 2026 bringing with her a wealth of experience from her Leader role in the Steiner Hollywood Pre-school, and SEN experience from Harberton Special School. Ellie is also Forest School trained which blends perfectly with our outdoor nature focused mission. Ellie is one of our Designated Child Protection Officers (DCPO).

Jacqui Taggart

Playschool Deputy Leader

Jacqui was a former parent volunteer when her daughter attended the Playschool and we knew she would make a great addition to the Team. Luckily for us this is the career she was looking for and joined us in 2022 bringing fun, creativity and skills as a life coach to Evergreen Wood. Jacqui has served as Playschool Leader and Deputy Leader over the past three years.

Rachael Shannon

Playschool Deputy Leader

Rachael brings great experience to her role in Playschool having previously worked for a number of early years settings in Belfast and following a career break has returned to pre-school teaching with Evergreen Wood having joined us previously a parent and assistant. Rachael has recently completed Child Care Learning & Development qualifications and has moved in to a Deputy Leader role.

Madeleine Douglas

Playschool Assistant

Madeleine joined us in October 2026 as a new Playschool Assistant having completed her Level 2 Child Care qualification and having previously worked at the Montessori Pre-school in Hollywood.

Hannah Trotter

Playschool Assistant

Hannah has worked as an Assistant in Evergreen Wood for a couple of years as both a one to one support worker helping SEN children and general assistant. Hannah is also Level 2 qualified in Child Care.

Sandra Shannon

Lunch Supervisor

Evergreen Wood started serving hot lunches provided by EA Catering in September 2026 and Sandra has joined us as our Lunch Supervisor. Sandra has previously experience in the role in primary schools and makes sure lunch runs smoothly for our Playschool Pioneers.

Nick Moore

Owner & DCPO

Nick has been a Playschool owner for 10 years and previously worked in science education and research for over 30 years. He also works in rural community development on the board of directors of County Down Rural Community Network. He’s currently involved in the creation of an online series promoting classic literature and philosophy. Nick is also one of our Designated Child Protection Officers.

Nick Moore, Owner

Sometime last century

“I still remember my time in pre-school, and that was so long ago it was just called play school, after the old TV show. I made friends, had a laugh every morning, built forts under the piano with boxes, did arts and crafts, Mrs Faulkner told us stories and much more. It made heading for primary school a breeze and we hope to give your children the same experience I hold dear some 45 years later.”

– Nick

Students per session

Mornings per week

Staff + Volunteers

Months per year

Get In Touch

Location:
The Village Hall, 62 Newtownards Road, Greyabbey
Email:
info@evergreenwoodplayschool.com
Telephone:
07577855185
Playschool Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9.15am – 1.45pm

Contact Us

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