Meet the Team

Sam

Director and Founder of My Little Explorers

I am just a big kid at heart who is very passionate about outdoor learning! Growing up in the Dorset countryside, memories of my childhood were out in the fields with my siblings, letting our imaginations run wild as we made bridges across ditches, built dens and look out towers in the trees. We were out all day, Mum would ring the cow bell when dinner was ready! It wasn't until I had children of my own that I really appreciated how lucky we were and so I set out to create a place where kids can be kids, love nature and learn at their own pace.

I have been working in Early Years since 2001 and qualified as a Forest School Practitioner in 2012 this combined knowledge has built the foundation and passion for our settings. With our move to Broadlands Estate it has enabled my husband and I to live on site where I run the nursery. We have two grown up children that come and go, chickens, guinea pigs and three working cocker spaniels Kayla, Simba and Tikka who enjoy visiting the children at Farley Mount.

Favourite campfire recipe - Pumpkin soup and ash cakes
Favourite woodland animal - Owl or hedgehog (I can never find either!)
Favourite woodland activity - Lying under the trees and watching the clouds float by!
Scariest things - Computers and admin!
Favourite quote - “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination” – Albert Einstein
Hobbies - Being outside with the dogs, walking along coastlines, wild swimming & cruising!

Michelle

Early Years and Forest School Leader

Michelle loves everything about nature and if she isn’t bouncing around in our woods she might be seen out hiking with her family, bird watching or just chilling by the sea.

Michelle studied Environment Science at University has a level 3 Playwork and Forest School qualification, she is a member of the FSA and has an outdoor paediatric first aid training certificate. Michelle now works part time with us following the birth of her daughter in 2020 and her son in 2022 who are both already Mini Explorers!

Favourite Campfire recipe - An onion hollowed out, filled with stuffing and baked in the ashes! Yum!
Favourite Woodland Animal - The woodlouse - cousin of the crab
Favourite Woodland Activities - Exploring and looking for minibeasts and climbing trees
Scariest Things - You can’t scare me… I’m not afraid of the big bad wolf!
Favourite Quote - Play is the highest form of research - Einstein
Hobby - Exploring the great outdoors