Haxby Playgroups

About Us

We are a happy pre-school with fabulous purpose-built facilities within the grounds of Headlands primary school. Staff are attuned to meeting the emotional needs of all children.

We are very child-centred planning for children’s developmental stages and interests. Children are free to choose from a wide number of exciting activities, both indoors and outdoors and staff support children to learn through positive interactions and purposeful play.

We have excellent transition arrangements to the primary school.

Age Range: 2-5 years

Forest School

Headlands Playgroup regularly access the wood on the School site for Forest School. This is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

Forest School has a developmental ethos shared by thousands of trained practitioners around the world, who are constantly developing their learning styles and skills to support new and imaginative learners. Its roots reach back to the open-air culture, friluftsliv, or free air life, seen as a way of life in Scandinavia where Forest School began. It arrived in the UK in 1993 and has grown from strength to strength since then.

The process helps and facilitates more than knowledge-gathering, it helps learners develop socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually. It creates a safe, non-judgemental nurturing environment for learners to try stuff out and take risks. Forest School inspires a deep and meaningful connection to the world and an understanding of how a learner fits within it. Our approach to risk means that learners constantly expand on their abilities by solving real-world issues, building self-belief and resilience. We believe that risk is more than just potential for physical harm, but a more holistic thing, there are risks in everything we do, and we grow by overcoming them. Forest School therefore, helps participants to become, healthy, resilient, creative and independent learners.

(Taken from The Forest School Association)

Staff Team

Liz Radford – Manager

Hi I am Liz, The Manager and SENCO for Haxby Playgroups at RB and Headlands. I have worked at Haxby Playgroups for nearly 10 years and have over 40 years experience in Early Years. My passion has always been to ensure that children receive the very best early years experience. I work with amazing  practitioners and a team of dedicated trustees which makes my job so much easier.

My husband and I have 5 children between us ranging from 34 to 18, 3 grandchildren and 2 on the way. I have two very naughty labradors and the children love to hear about their adventures. I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, going to the gym and doing long walks with the dogs.

Sophie Bland – Deputy Manager

Hey, I’m Sophie, one of the Deputy Managers here at Haxby Playgroups, having joined the Headlands team in September 2025. I have a BA Hons Degree in Early Childhood Studies and a real passion for helping children learn and grow. 
Throughout my time working in Early Years I have loved getting to know children and understanding what kinds of learning works for them, ensuring that they get the best standard of care and the right support that allows them to develop, and have lots of fun along the way!
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and absolutely love to be out in the sun, whether that’s exploring new places or lying on a beach somewhere hot! 

Nicola Harrison – Early Years Practitioner

Hello, I’m Nicola, and I’m thrilled to be an Early Years Apprentice at Haxby Playgroups. I’m currently working towards my Level 3 qualification and am passionate about supporting children’s learning and development in these early years. I believe in a child-led approach, where each child’s interests and developmental stage are at the heart of their learning journey.

After 25 years in the British Army, I decided to follow my passion for child development and pursue a career in Early Years education, inspired by my experiences as a mum. I’m a proud mum to Hunter, age 4, and my partner Marcus serves in the British Army. As a family, we enjoy outdoor adventures, including skiing, canoeing, and spending time with our energetic German Wirehaired Pointer dog, Blitz.

I’m looking forward to supporting the children here, encouraging their curiosity, and helping them grow through play and exploration, both indoors and outdoors, while continuing to learn and develop alongside them.

Kelsey Fenwick – Early Years Practitioner (info to follow)

Sarah Marshall – Early Years Practitioner

Hi, I’m Sarah and I joined Haxby Playgroups in March 2025, having previously volunteered within a local primary school for 3 years.

I loved being part of the reception class and understanding the transition from pre-school to reception. I have also previously worked within social care finance and assessments, working alongside families and within the community.

I am passionate about childcare and in the moment planning and love seeing where the children’s imagination will take them, sharing ideas and sparking curiosity. 

Through my role as a mum to my two young children, I understand the importance of play and providing a caring environment to encourage children to learn and grow. I’m thrilled to be part of Haxby playgroups team and the individual children’s journeys. 

In my free time I love to spend it outside exploring with my partner and children. I am also a keen runner, often looking for new challenges to take part in. 

Amy Bagnell – Early Years Practitioner

Hi, I’m Amy! I joined Haxby Playgroups in 2022 and I’m about to become a qualified level 3 Early Years Educator!

I’ve always been passionate about ensuring children receive nurturing care in an enriching, enabling, environment to thrive in. My experience through the Covid-19 lockdown ignited my passion for Early Years further as I became inspired by my own children’s learning and development. I love that at Haxby Playgroups we follow the individual children’s own interests to plan in the moment.

When I’m not at Haxby playgroups, you can find me exploring forests, jumping over waves at the coast or on new adventures with my three children, husband and Springador.

Contact Us!

Headlands Playgroup is situated within the main school grounds.

Any visitors, please enter the school via the pedestrian entrance, walk towards the black gates directly ahead, and phone us from those gates (number on the fence next to the gate).

Pricing

Current Pricing

All Day Session – 9am – 3pm = £36.00
Morning Session – 9am -Midday = £18.00
Afternoon Session – Midday – 3pm = £18.00

We also charge £2 per session (am/pm) for consumables such as snack, play dough, baking ingredients etc.

Please see here for our Terms and Conditions