Meet Our People

Every setting is built on their team

For the team at Muriel Green, daycare and teaching is much more than a job. We care deeply about children’s happiness and success. Our classrooms are joyful places to be, where children are engaged and teachers give praise and encouragement. We listen to parents and families, and work together with them to help children achieve their full potential.

Find out more about the qualified, experienced leadership team at Muriel Green below.

Roots Leadership Team

Hayley Yendell

Headteacher and Curriculum Lead, Roots Federation

With vision, commitment and care, Hayley takes a lead on the curriculum for Roots Nurseries, ensuring it sets all our children up for happiness and success.

Hayley is a proficient leader with decades of experience leading early years settings. In 2001 she became deputy headteacher at a three-form primary school in Stevenage where she took on special responsibility for early years.

She went on to become an early years adviser at Herts for Learning, a company whose mission is to improve education across the county. In this role, Hayley gave consultation, training and support that improved outcomes for over 100 schools.

Hayley sits on a governing body of Governor of South Hill Primary School (Hemel ) and trustee of the Claxton Trust (Stevenage), and is a trustee at a multi-academy trust, where she shares her expertise with the wider community.

Gemma Williamson

Headteacher and SENCo, Roots Federation

Gemma is Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator for the Roots Nurseries, and takes a lead in the Federation’s business and strategic decisions.

In 2010, she led the foundation stage at Laurence Haines primary school in Watford. In recognition of her impressive leadership, the local authority made her a Leading Teacher. In this role, she helped schools across the county improve their early years provision.

Gemma took the headship at Muriel Green Nursery in 2017. That same year, she achieved the National Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator Award.

She began working as a consultant to the headteachers at Oxhey Early Years in 2021. Here, she had the vision to collaborate with Heath Lane Nursery to improve all three settings, a vision which eventually led to co-founding the Roots Federation.

Gemma sits on the governing bodies of two maintained primary schools in Hertfordshire, keeping her up to date with educational practice beyond early years. She also sits on two boards representing the voice of maintained nursery schools.

Clare Herbert- Senior leader & Inclusion Leader

Clare has worked in primary education for over 20 years. She began her career in Newcastle and Atlanta, USA, although she has spent the majority of her in Hertfordshire schools. She worked as a senior leader and head teacher in several schools. She has also worked to support teachers across schools in Hertfordshire as an Advanced Skills Teacher and a Continued Professional Development Lead.

Clare holds a doctorate in education from The University of Cambridge. Her research focuses upon school improvement, in particular developing professional capital through the Lesson Study cycle. She has supported many teachers to further their academic studies and has tutored on the HertsCam masters program.

Clare is passionate about inclusion and supporting children and their families to experience success. She prioritises this through her roles as senior teacher at Muriel Green Nursery (two days a week) and Inclusion Leader for Roots Federation (three days a week).

Suzie pilgrim - Senior Teacher

Suzie has been an early years teacher in Hertfordshire for thirteen years. She worked as an Early Years Lead in a three-form-entry school, before going to be the Deputy Head of a large school. She’s an expert in phonics, the learning environment and the role of the adult in 'discover and do'. She also has a particular interest in early childhood brain development.

“I love introducing new initiatives, and measuring how much they help our children. It’s a joy to work alongside children in ‘discover and do’, and to be present for all the moments when children come alive with awe and wonder. I’m blessed to be part of such a wonderful, forward thinking team who are making a difference to children’s lives.”

Sarah - Senior Teacher

Sarah has been a teacher in Hertfordshire for ten years. She worked as a Senior Teacher and Mental Health Lead in a large, three-form-entry school in Stevenage, before moving to Muriel Green. Sarah has a passion for supporting young people and their families in their educational journey and in promoting a sense of joy and curiosity around learning. Sarah has a special interest and expertise in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children in the early years, helping them to thrive in their setting.

Sue Wells - Daycare Manger

Sue has worked in early years for over 25 years. During this time, she practised in three pre-schools, and managed her own setting for fourteen years. Sue has been the daycare manager at Muriel Green for the last four years.

Sue is adept at building high quality, trusting relationships with families, and supports new parents when they leave their children for the first time.

“It’s a pleasure to support and watch as the children settle in, making new friends and getting their first sense of community. I love the depth and breadth of our curriculum - how it keeps children engaged and excited to learn. It’s so rewarding to see children and staff succeed and achieve where they thought they couldn't.”

Chloe Reade - Deputy Day Care Manager

Chloe has been working with children since she left school in 2015. She initially started as a children's entertainer in a soft play centre and has never lost that ability to engage children though fun and laughter! She then joined the team at Muriel Green as an Early Years Practitioner. Since then, she has worked in every room with children from babies to the Nursery school. Her ability to work strategically and efficiently with a great understanding of child development made her the perfect choice to join the senior leadership team as the Deputy Day Care Manager! She has a passion for working with all children but has an expertise with children with additional needs and has supported staff across the federation with ensuring children with hearing impairment receive high quality provision