From this experience grew a passion for enabling young children to experience the richness and diversity of the outdoor environment and the chance to take risks, build confidence and understand themselves, their world and each other through play. Lucy started Bee in the Woods Forest School after having her own children and wanting to offer them the opportunity to imagine, create and make friends in nature's playground. Influenced by the children and families at Baby Bees and inspired by pioneers in Early Years Education who advocate child-centred, process rich learning through play over classrooms and outcomes, Lucy opened Bee in the Woods Nature Kindergarten in 2018.

Ali is a qualified teacher and trained and experienced in the Reggio Emilia approach. She has inspired our team over the years with her passion for listening to children and trusting their capabilities to create, design and develop their learning. Ali is an inspirational leader at our new Stanmer site! 'I love working outdoors. I like how it makes me feel in lots of ways... I really love the varied opportunities for learning that it offers and to see children at play-engaged and happy, comfortable, being themselves.' - Ali

Orla loves to spend time with her family, exploring and travelling. She is a mum of one and lives in Brighton with her husband, daughter and cat. In the Summer she enjoys going to festivals and visiting family in France. 'Working with a great team and watching how the children play/develop is the best thing for me. I enjoy supporting children and families with SEND as I understand the impact this can have.' - Orla

Cat is a Spanish Speaker, has an MA in Educational Neuroscience and is passionate about inclusive practice in education.

Wriggly has worked with Kent Wildlife Trust, RSPCA and the Forestry Commission, gaining her dormouse licence and working on ecological research projects. Wriggly is a mum and a creative Forest School Leader; running groups with Lucys Little Forest School and Baby Bees before joining our Kindergarten team to bring her teaching, Forest School, ecology and creative talents together! 'The space to breath, feel connected to the elements and be in nature. It is good for my soul and it is where I believe our real home is and I want others to share that.' - Wriggly

Before that, Rob taught gardening and vegetable growing in schools. Rob loves building dens and tree houses, enabling children to get lost in imaginative play and making natural crafts. Rob is an advocate of the transformational power of getting outdoors, both for physical and mental well-being and for learning about ourselves, others and the world around us. 'Being creative alongside the children, trying out new ideas and experimenting together. The lack of walls gives us all a sense of freedom and pushes us towards more democratic pedagogy'.- Rob

Mia is a qualified teacher and experienced Forest school leader embracing the principles of forest school and child-centred learning. Her enthusiasm is infectious and her passion for outdoor learning is seen through her creative, inclusive and playful approach. 'I love working outside. I feel it's brilliant for both my physical and mental health and wellbeing.' - Mia

Tracy enjoyed a year out to travel, experiencing some amazing parts of the world and has always loved being in the great outdoors. After having her son and regularly visiting Baby Bees, Tracy completed the Level 2 Forest School qualification. She enjoys sharing her passion for nature with our Kindergarteners, thinking creatively about the children’s play experiences and developing a fun, child-led curriculum. 'I love being outside in nature- it's so much better than a classroom! ...Learning with nature through the seasonal changes and what it brings. I love being part of an amazing team and being a part of our special bees families and lives.' - Tracy

She has also co-developed resources with Mosaic Black, an Asian and Mixed Parentage group, to celebrate cultural diversity and introduce primary-aged children to stories that promote inclusion and challenge bullying positively, with positive BAME role models. Al is inspired and happiest in nature and promotes meditation as a tool for re-connecting with nature, ourselves and children. When not at work, she spends time at her family woodland, where she manages the woodland hire business and hosts small events. Al lives in Portslade, with her husband and has two sons. She also practises Tai chi and loves to dance! 'The fresh air is amazing. I absolutely love the changing natural space, it is perfect for creating constant learning opportunities and I also feel very calm and relaxed in an outdoor space. It's an inspiring environment and this makes connection with peers and children very easy as we share the varied experiences. I also really appreciate being able to keep physically due to working outdoors'. - Al

She has been working with the community arts group Same Sky for many years, and led creative workshops for children in primary and secondary education. She has also worked at various exceptional settings, including Trefoil Montessori Farm School, Dandelion Time and Reflections Nursery and Forest School, where she was the garden ‘Atelierista’. Her role there was to establish and maintain an edible garden with the children and be their creative outdoor educator. Kathryn has always loved being in nature and learning as much as she can about the natural world around her. This passion led her to participating in a year course at Wilderness Awareness School in Washington State, America. Whilst there, she was immersed in naturalist studies, tracking, bushcraft and survival skills, bird language, rites of passage, the art of mentoring and nature awareness. Inspired by her experiences, she established a nature-based Rites of Passage group ‘Roots and Wings’, for girls aged 10-13 years, which she continues to run at Wilderness Wood in East Sussex. Kathryn is also very interested in philosophical conversations with children and really listening to each individual voice. 'I love building relationships with individual children and families. I find it wonderful to get to know the different children in my care and find creative ways to further their learning or passion for something. I love seeing children develop and grow in confidence and explore the world around them as part of a community. It often felt like a privilege to be part of their journey and be able to support children and families. I also love building friendships with colleagues and sharing so many special experiences together.' - Kathryn

Daisy has worked at our Stanmer site since we opened in September 2023 whilst studying for her EYTS and MA in early years. Daisy has wowed us with her creativity and kindness; she brings a warm loving and playful approach to her work with early years and has a passion for connecting children with the outdoors. 'I love that we can trust in nature and its many gifts...Having up close encounters with animal, plant and tree life that are very inspiring and interesting. I love sharing this with the children in our care and engaging in conversation or pedagogical documentation with them around this. Access to fresh air and a visually beautiful setting feels so valuable, I love watching the seasons change!' - Daisy

Ruby joined our Bee Team in September 2023 when we opened our Stanmer site, she is passionate about the natural world and shares this with our little ones on the beach and in the woods. Ruby's dedication to campaigning for the recovery of Sussex kelp beds and raising awareness of the important of marine conservation saw her awarded The Youth Champion Award by The Sussex Wildlife Trust in 2024. 'I absolutely love the amazing interactions with our children, teaching them about wildlife and seeing how they enjoy nature. It's fantastic to be able to facilitate the development of wonderful friendships and ideas. Being in the outdoor space gives me headspace and encourages mindful moments...And I love being part of such a passionate team.' - Ruby

Lauren has been a Psychology teacher for many years, teaching primarily GCSE and A Level. She felt inspired to pursue teacher training after spending 2 years working as a teaching assistant in a learning centre for children with complex needs who were unable to access mainstream education. In this role, Lauren was a key adult for a small group of children in year 7 and 8 who were experiencing severe anxiety and depression. Prior to this, she has worked with both primary and secondary aged children in a variety of settings including providing outreach for looked after children, as an assistant playworker for Women’s Aid, and as a Kindergarten English teacher in Phuket, Thailand.

Simone is a mum of three and has always had a love for the outdoors and nature. She is passionate about giving children the opportunity to play outside and enabling families to enjoy the wonders of the natural world with their children. When Simone is not in the woods, you will find her walking her dogs or crafting using the natural resources we find out and about.