Meet the Team
Ms Zoe
Founder
Ms Zoe is a pioneer of Mandarin education in the UK. She runs a reputable Chinese school, Real Chinese Academy (瑞雅中⽂学校), and is the author of several books on education. She is the proud grandma of two grandchildren who have both attended Pony & Panda @ Petts Wood.
Ms Jing
Founder
An Oxford graduate fluent in Chinese, Japanese, and English, Ms Jing has a unique role as the mum of a child who attends Pony & Panda while also being part of the team. Running the nursery and seeing her son grow up in it has been a touching journey for her. She looks at her son and Pony & Panda as if they are both her children, and she is immensely proud of both.
Ms Bobo
Headteacher
Pony & Panda @ Petts Wood
Ms Bobo, the Headteacher of Pony & Panda @ Petts Wood, has been instrumental in nurturing our nursery from its infancy. Her unique approach, passion, and efforts have created an extraordinary learning experience for our children. As an art graduate, she has introduced a range of non-typical nursery activities, such as monthly art stations featuring Monet, Van Gogh, and other renowned artists, to our curriculum. We salute Ms Bobo for her innovative mindset, which has set a tone of excellence for our entire team.
Miss Zarah
Deputy Headteacher
Pony & Panda @ Petts Wood
Miss Zarah is leading our English curriculum and is excellent at combining English language elements such as phonics and vocabulary with STEM. She also shares her techniques of asking open-ended questions that lead to sustained shared thinking. An expert in childhood psychology at a practical level, Miss Zarah has developed approaches that suit each child’s learning style and personality
Ms Wendy
Third in Charge
Pony & Panda @ Petts Wood
Ms Wendy’s calm yet firm approach has been very effective in building our children’s school readiness from a toddler’s age. Many visitors to our nursery are impressed by the level of calmness and concentration shown by our children, and Ms Wendy is our expert in shaping this excellent learning habit. Children also benefit from Ms Wendy’s Spanish sessions, as she shares her knowledge as a graduate of Spanish Language and Literature.
Miss Debbie
English Teacher
It may not be typical for someone with an accounting degree to step into early years education and then take a Master’s in International Education, but Miss Debbie has proved that it works. Her strong numerical skills and interest in science have greatly stimulated children’s understanding of STEM subjects. She has also actively shared the Montessori approach from her previous experience with children and staff.
Miss Peipei
Chinese Teacher
Miss Peipei has a degree in Art and a keen interest in animals and nutrition for children. She keeps cats, snakes, and fish at home, and our children have benefitted from her knowledge and experience with animals and from meeting them. Children also enjoy her cooking sessions, which involve a lot of knowledge about healthy eating and food combinations.
Miss Ayan
Chinese Teacher
Miss Ayan worked for six years in a nursery in China before she completed an MSc in Education in the UK. Her experience as an early years teacher in both China and the UK shows how 2-year-olds can sit around her and stay focused for a good 20 minutes without wanting to move during her circle time.
Miss Anna
Chinese Teacher
Miss Anna worked as a secondary school teacher in China before moving to business and completing a master’s in the UK. She then decided to pursue her interest in teaching again and really enjoys applying various childhood pedagogies when she works with our children.
Ms Lanhui
Chef
Ms Lanhui is famous for the beauty and elegance of her cooking style. For her, healthy, nutritious, and tasty food is not good enough—it also needs to look amazing! Ms Lanhui goes beyond creating an excellent kitchen—she also ensures we have lots of flowers around our nursery.
Ms Jenny
Chef
Ms Jenny has been a chef for many years, and our children like her excellent food, her personality, and her enthusiasm. When not cooking, Ms Jenny loves spending time with our children and sharing her culinary knowledge. We look forward to our children starting to cook early on at home!
Ms Lili
Chef
Ms Lili loves cooking for young children and sees her role as a chef as an opportunity to combine her passion as a Chinese language teacher and provide nutritious food for children. Children love observing her work in the kitchen. Ms Lili is very organised, and we are hopeful that children also observe that trait when they see her cook.