Anne-Marie Cooper

Anne-Marie Cooper

I have had the privilege of knowing Anne-Marie for quite some time. Our children have grown up alongside each other, both in the classroom and on the sports pitch, so it was an enjoyable assignment to find out more about the 

recent successful Ofsted inspection of her business, Penmoor Nursery.

Her father worked in the NatWest bank so as a child her family moved around the country, and settled in Tavistock when she was 11. After leaving Tavistock Secondary school she studied for an NNEB in child care, and then began working in South Trelawne

y Language and Assessment Unit as a Nursery Nurse. She loved the work and developed a lifelong interest for language. She later became manager at a local day care Nursery, gaining experience and confidence. By the time she turned 40 she had married and had three children. Her youngest, Jamie, was due to start at their local Nursery, Penmoor but when Anne-Marie enquired she was told it was closing. On a whim she decided to put in an offer and ended up buying the name and stock.

The revised Penmoor opened its doors to 11 children in September 2006; there are now 72 children on the register and ten members of staff. Anne-Marie took the opportunity to utilise her skills and develop the nursery school with the ethos and old fashioned values she prizes. She has fostered a reputation for warmth and kindness in addition to providing stimulating activities and imaginative play. Over the years, she has expanded the hours to include breakfast clubs and afternoons with flexible collection times to suit working parents. Despite working full time Anne-Marie decided to take a BA in Early Years and Child Development in order to better understand the needs of the children in her care. She also bought a mini bus to transport children to locations outside the setting such as Plymouth museum, Burrator Arboretum and Tavistock library. She employs a full time dedicated forest school teacher and has links with Buckland Abbey to facilitate the forest school sessions. There are plans to extend the forest school hours as Anne-Marie believes the chance to learn more about our local environment and participate in outdoor activities such as den building and insect hunting is an integral part of childhood.

Their recent Ofsted inspection is resoundingly positive with a remarkable “outstanding” in all areas. It is a testament to Anne-Marie’s vision and hard work although she is quick to praise the excellent staff and parental support she receives. Phrases such as “Children are highly motivated; the environment is inclusive, stimulating and inviting. Children are extremely happy and thrive…” make for affirmative reading of which she is rightly proud. To have such an excellent result should come as no surprise because the proof of Penmoor’s success can be seen in its young patrons who feel valued, make exceptional progress and ultimately keep coming back.  

Anne-Marie has boundless energy and positivity. For her, the glass is always way past half full. She sees exciting adventures where others see fretful trials. A smile perpetually lights up her face and she never turns down an invitation to life. She cannot wait for her fifties as her forties have brought so much “fun” – I would add that they have also brought fun and so much more, for many lucky children in Yelverton.

Nichola Williams