Greta the Giraffe
Greta the Giraffe was born on 1 July 2016 and has been living at Giraffe Private Nursery School since then. In 2018 some of her friends moved in with her as they heard she was having a blast! Greta the Giraffe, Charlie the crocodile, Emely-roo the kangaroo, Milo the alpaca, Silvie the snake, Sky the koala, Ray the dog and Alfie the parrot all live happily together at Giraffe Nursery School.
Greig the Giraffe
Greig the Giraffe, Greta's long awaited brother, was born on 8 May 2021 and has been living at Giraffe Private Nursery School with his sister ever since.
Greig fits in greatly with Greta and her friends and enjoys all the cuddles he gets from everyone at Giraffe.
Greta, Greig and all their animal friends love being around children and so Giraffe is an amazing place for them to be in! They absolutely enjoy spending their days with the children who have just begun their fascinating journeys in education, who are learning all about life, making new friends, reaching for new heights and creating unique memories!
Nicoletta Toumazi
The owner and principal of Giraffe is Nicoletta Toumazi, an enthusiastic and vibrant young woman who has always enjoyed being around children. Nicoletta graduated from the University of Bristol in July 2015 having acquired a Bachelor of Science Degree in Childhood Studies with First Class Honours. She is currently following a Masters Degree in Early Years Education at the University of Cyprus.
Nicoletta’s background in music and dance combined with her work experience with young children in various nursery schools in Cyprus and the UK during the last thirteen years enable her to interact with them in a creative and expressive way.
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September 2019: Educator of the Manadoob® Kick-Start Programme for Self-Esteem
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July 2016 to date: Owner & Principal of Giraffe Private Nursery School
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October 2015 to July 2016: Instructor in training at Monkeynastix Cyprus.
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September 2015 to date: Assistant Ballet Teacher babies class (4-5 year olds) at Dance Works Nicosia.
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October 2014-June 2015: Practical experience at Art Raft Piglets Nursery School, Bristol, UK.
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November 2013-March 2014: Practical experience at St Paul’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre, Bristol, UK.
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Summer School 2011, 2013 & 2014: Volunteer and replacement teacher at Marina’s Playschool, Nicosia.
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Summer School 2009: Volunteer at Little Stars Montessori Nursery School, Nicosia.
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September 2008-June 2012: Dance Teacher at Little Stars Montessori Nursery School, Nicosia.
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April 2007-June 2012: Assistant Ballet Teacher babies class (4-5 year olds) at Dance Works Nicosia.
Yioula Makriyiannis
Yioula is a graduate of Kings College London and has worked in the education industry for over twenty years. She took several years off work to travel the globe and has now returned to her roots. She has been a valuable member of our Giraffe Team since November 2019.
Yioula loves the little ones and strongly believes that interacting with children is a mutually educational experience.
Grace Elizabeth Pollard
Grace, a kindergarten teacher at heart, graduated from the University of Cyprus in 2011, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Early Years Education. She then moved on to complete her Master’s degree in Early Years Education with distinction, at the Institute of Education in London, UK. Her research project at the time focused on what she believes to be the core of kindergarten, children’s play. Since then, she has obtained ten years of teaching experience and has been at Giraffe since September 2020.
Grace is a loving, enthusiastic and positive teacher. She prioritises in providing a safe and empowering environment, where each child can develop as a whole, at their own pace, and reach their full potential.
Chloe Angela Richmond
Chloe was born and raised in Zimbabwe. She graduated from Varsity College, Cape Town South Africa, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication.
She is an energetic and empathetic individual with a passion for psychology and has working experience with children in an educational setting as well as in a therapy related environment. She is particularly interested in working with children in an educational and psychological oriented context and in developing her personal skills and experiences.
Eva Phylactou
Eva graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where she received a degree in Preschool Education. Eva discovered her inherent love for children from a very young age, at 17. She enjoys helping young people to develop their abilities at their own pace and to the extent that they are able to do so. Eva is currently studying a Masters Degree in Special Education.
Eva deeply values the connection with children, respects their needs and embraces their uniqueness. She is open to new information and knowledge, which is why she attends in many seminars on various topics regarding children. She also, truly believes that we have a lot to learn by teaching children.
Maria Paz Marticorena Bardet
Maria is from Chile, where she obtained her Degree in Psychology. She specialised in clinical work with children and their families, taking part in important research studies in brain and behavioural development, during which she learnt the deep impact of early years stimulation. She joined the United Nations for some years where she gained experience working and living in a multicultural environment.
Maria believes that it is during childhood that we build our solid structure for the rest of our lives and that it is in places like nursery schools, where we can work with the families and try our best to keep the little ones healthy and happy.
Anastasia Aristodemou
Anastasia graduated from the Cyprus University of Technology in 2015 having acquired a degree in Agricultural Science, Biotechnology and Food Science. She then worked in several organisations and learnt to deal with a variety of different people and personalities.
After that, she realised that what she enjoys most of all is communicating and interacting with children. Her hard-working, responsible, loving and mature personality are the qualities needed when working with young children, something that she has been demonstrating at Giraffe since October 2017.
Maria Theodorou
Maria obtained her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts at the University for the Creative Arts Canterbury, with a major in Sculpture. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Arts and Culture Management from Rome Business School. Maria's philosophy on life is based on the quote of the artist Vincent Van Gogh, ”what is done in love is done well"!
She is a determined individual that believes in the magic of teamwork and communication. She has worked extensively with children of all ages encouraging their individuality, identity and imagination whilst at the same time promoting critical thinking. She is the owner of ArtRooms Mobile Art Studio.
Andrie Aristodemou
Andrie completed her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature and her Master of Arts in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics at the University of Cyprus.
She has been teaching English for the last few years during which she has learnt to appreciate each student’s uniqueness and abilities and understand their needs. She wants to help children become eager participants, listeners and inquisitive learners. She started working with young children in May 2017 and has been inspiring and enthusing ever since.
Our Giraffe Caretaking Team consists of
Eleni Eleftheridi, Athina Schpazidou and Marina Tosounidou
Their kind, pleasant and joyful personalities fill the nursery with positive energy. Their willingness, commitment and perseverance in fulfilling all their responsibilities make them fundamental members of our Giraffe Nursery Team.
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