MEET THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
DANIELLA BLACOW - NURSERY MANAGER
DANIELLA IS LEVEL 6 QUALIFIED IN EARY YEARS. DANIELLA IS CURRENTLY WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SUNFLOWERS TEAM.
"HELLO, I'M DANIELLA, I'M THE NURSERY MANAGER, I HAVE WORKED IN THE EARLY YEARS CARE AND EDUCATION SECTOR FOR 9 YEARS AND THRIVE FROM SUPPORTING CHILDREN GROW. I BECAME AN AUNTIE AT 10 AND THIS SUPPORTED MY LOVE FOR CHILD INTERACTION WHICH THEN HELPED ME TO MAKE THE DECISION TO GET INTO CHILDCARE. I HAVE MORE RECENTLY DEVELOPED INTO A MANAGER AND HAVE A STRONG PASSION FOR SUPPORTING THE STAFF IN OUR SETTING AS WELL AS THE CHILDREN. MY FAVOURITE THING WITHIN THE SETTING WILL ALWAYS BE SPENDING TIME WITH THE CHILDREN & USUALLY GETTING IN A MESS DOING SOMETHING CREATIVE. I ALSO LOVE READING STORIES AND PUTTING ON FUNNY VOICES TO MATCH THE CHARACTERS.
WHEN I'M NOT AT NURSERY I LIKE TO SPEND TIME GOING ON WALKS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WITH MY BOYFRIEND AND OUR FUR BABY, CHARLIE THE COCKERPOO."
REBEKAH POCOCK - DEPUTY MANAGER
REBEKAH IS LEVEL 5 QUALIFIED, & CURRENTLY COMPLETING HER LEVEL 6.
"HELLO, I'M REBEKAH & I AM THE DEPUTY MANAGER AT ASTON CLINTON NURSERY. I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME IN THE SUNFLOWERS ROOM & SUPPORT BOTH CHILDREN & STAFF WITHIN THE YOUNGER ROOMS.
I HAVE WORKED IN EARLY YEARS FOR 6 YEARS & HAVE WORKED IN BOTH SCHOOL & NURSERY SETTINGS. I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT SEEING CHILDREN DEVELOP & GROW IN A HAPPY & SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING & BELIEVE THAT IF CHILDREN HAVE A SOUND WELL-BEING FROM A YOUNG AGE IT WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. I ENJOY TAKING THE CHILDREN ON NATURE WALKS TO EXPLORE THE AREA. I LOVE COMPLETING ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN'S WELL-BEING SUCH AS BABY YOGA & SENSORY TIME. WHEN I AM NOT AT NURSERY I ENJOY SPENDING TIME WITH MY FRIENDS & FAMILY & GOING ON WALKS."
KELLY STONER-LUNN - SECOND DEPUTY MANAGER
KELLY LEADS OUR DAISIES ROOM AND IS LEVEL 6 QUALIFIED.
"HI I'M KELLY & I AM THE 2ND DEPUTY & ROOM LEADER OF DAISIES HERE AT ASHRIDGE. I AM LEVLE 6 QUALIFIED & HAVE WORKED IN CHILDCARE FOR OVER 20 YEARS, ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN DAY NURSERIES IN A VARIETY OF POSITIONS.
I LOVE WORKING WITH CHILDREN I FEEL THAT IT IS SUCH A REWARDING JOB AS WE ARE ABLE TO BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH NOT ONLY THE CHILDREN IN OUR CARE BUT THE FAMILIES TOO. I STRIVE TO CREATE A LOVING, HAPPY & POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILDREN TO PLAY & DEVELOP WHILST GIVING THEM THE LOVE, COMFORT & ENCOURAGEMENT THEY NEED.
WHEN I'M NOT AT NURSERY YOU'LL FIND ME WITH MY LITTLE BOY & HUSBAND OUT & ABOUT EXPLORING."
TAYLOR HOW - THIRD IN CHARGE
TAYLOR LEADS THE SUNFLOWERS ROOM, SHE IS LEVEL 2 QUALIFIED AND HAS NEARLY COMPLETED HER LEVEL 3 IN CHILDCARE.
"HIYA, I'M TAYLOR ALSO KNOWN AS TAY. I HAVE KNOWN FROM A YOUNG AGE THAT I WANTED TO WORK WITH CHILFREN AND AM SO PLEASED I CHOSE TO DEVELOP THIS PASSION, BECAUSE I LOVE COMING TO NURSERY EVERY DAY AND SEEING THE HAPPY FACES OF THE CHILDREN.
I LOVE TO EXPLORE JUST AS MUCH AS THE CHILDREN, SO ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS IS TO GO ON WALKS, EXPLORING THE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT. WE ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE SURROUNDED BY BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO USE EACH DAY. THIS PASSION WITHIN THE NURSERY COMES FROM MY LOVE OF THE OUTDOORS AT HOME, WHEN I AM NOT AT NURSERY I ENJOY TAKING MY DOG SADIE FOR WALKS IN LOTS OF DIFFERENT PLACES WITH A CARAMEL LATTE IN MY HAND.
LEANNE PARROTT - ROOM LEADER
LEANNE LEADS OUR buttercups ROOM, SHE HOLDS A LEVEL 6 QUALIFICATION.
"HI I AM LEANNE, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS LEAPY. I LOVE THE OUTDOORS AND A LOT OF MY FAVOURITE ACTIVITIES AT NURSERY INCLUDE BEING OUTSIDE. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BAD WEATHER BUT INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHING.
OUTSIDE OF NURSERY I AM AN AVID TAEKWONDO STUDENT WORKING TOWARDS MY BLACKBELT, I CURRENTLY HOLD A GREEN BELT.
I ALSO LOVE TO LEARN! I DON'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT A BOOK!!
DANIELLE FISHER - ROOM LEADER
DANIELLE LEADs THE POPPIES ROOM, SHE HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED HER LEVEL 3 IN EARLY YEARS & HAS PROGRESSED THROUGH THE COMPANY SINCE JOINING US.
"I HAVE RECENTLY SET UP A SMALL RESIN BUSINESS ON ETSY TO SELL MY CREATIONS I HAVE MADE DURING LOCKDOWN. I LOVE TO GET CREATIVE & ENJOY POTTERY PAINTING & COLOURING.
MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH THE CHILDREN AT NURSERY IS USING THE PARACHUTE, SEEING THEIR FACES & HEARING THEIR GIGGLES & LAUGHTER.
I ALSO LOVE TEACHING THE CHILDREN DIFFERENT SKILLS THAT THEY CAN APPLY TO THEIR LEARNING, WATCHING THEM GROW & DEVELOP IS EXTREMELY REWARDING.
MEET THE TEAM IN BUTTERCUPS
SAMANTHA (SAM) MAYNE - L2 NURSERY PRACTITIONER
SAM HAS A LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATION AND IS CURRENTLY STUDYING FOR HER LEVEL 3 IN EARLY YEARS. "I ENJOY LOOKING AFTER MY HAMSTER SOOTY, GIVING HIM LOTS OF CUDDLES & FREE ROAMING TIME. I ALSO ENJOY GOING TO THE CINEMA OR WATCHING NETFLIX WITH MY PARTNER BRADLEE WHILST EATING POPCORN. I LOVE SEEING ALL OF OUR LITTLE FRIENDS FACES AT NURSERY EVERYDAY. I ENJOY GOING ON OUR NATURE WALKS, TALKING ABOUT THE TREES & THE WILDLIFE. I ALSO ENJOY HELPING THE CHILDREN MAKE THEIR CRAFTS & WATCHING THEM EXPLORE THE DIFFERENT MEDIA, MATERIALS, TEXTURES & USING THEIR IMAGINATION."
MEET THE TEAM IN DAISIES
LEANNE AINSLEY - NURSERY ASSISTANT
LEANNE AINSLEY IS CURRENTLY COMPLETING HER LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION IN EARLY YEARS.
"HI I'M LEANNE AND I WORK IN THE DAISIES ROOM! AT NURSERY I ENJOY CREATING SENSORY EXPERIENCES THROUGH MESSY PLAY, USING ANYTHING FROM FLOUR TO SHAVING FOAM TO HELP THE BABIES LEARN IN FUN, ENGAGING WAYS.
I ALSO LOVE BEING OUTSIDE WhETHER AT NURSERY OR HOME AND CAN REGULARLY BE FOUND EXPLORING NEW ENVIRONMENTS WITH MY DOG. I LOVE ANIMALS AND OWN A DOG AND A TORTOISE WHO TAKE UP A FAIR AMOUNT OF MY TIME OUTSIDE OF NURSERY!"
LEANNE IS ALSO OUR RESIDENT PLUMBER AND WASHING MACHINE ENGINEER!!!
KATIE HARDING - L3 NURSERY PRACTITIONER
KATIE HOLDS A LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION IN EARLY YEARS.
"MY NAME IS KATIE, & I WORK IN THE DAISIES ROOM! I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN I WANTED TO WORK WITH CHILDREN, AND SINCE HAVING MY LITTLE GIRL 2 YEARS AGO, I LOVE WORKING WITH THE BABIES! WATCHING THEM GROW & LEARN, & HELPING THEM TO BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE INTO CONFIDENT LITTLE TODDLERS. I FEEL THAT I CAN TOTALLY UNDERSTAND NEW MUM WORRIES AT LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN FOR THE FIRST TIME, HAVING BEEN THERE MYSELF NOT SO LONG AGO! I CONTINUE TO TREAT ANY CHILD LIKE I WOULD WANT MY OWN DAUGHTER TO BE TREATED, & HELP THEM FLOURISH! OUTSIDE OF NURSERY WE GO ON A LOT OF WALKS TO EXPLORE NEW PLACES! USUALLY ALONGSIDE OUR TWO DOGS JOEY & KOBE."
KAYLEIGH BRAGINTON - L3 NURSERY PRACTITIONER
KAYLEIGH HOLDS A LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION.
"HI I'M KAYLEIGH & I WORK IN THE DAISIES ROOM. I HAVE HAD OVER 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN & ALSO HAVE MY OWN SON, WHO ISN'T SO LITTLE ANYMORE.
WORKING WITH CHILDREN HAS ALWAYS BEEN FUN & SO REWARDING AT THE SAME TIME. I UNDERSTAND PARENTS WANT THE BEST FOR THEIR CHILDREN & I TREAT ALL OF THE CHILDREN AS MY OWN. IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL IN CHILDREN'S LIVES DURING THE FIRST VITAL YEARS OF THEIR LIVES, ENCOURAGING THEIR DEVELOPMENT & BUILDING CONFIDENCE, WATCHING THEM FLOURISH.
MY FAVOURITE PLACE TO BE WITH THE CHILDREN IS IN THE GARDEN OR OUT ON WALKS WHERE WE CAN EXPLORE THE ENVIRONMENT & LOOK FOR WILDLIFE, ESPECIALLY IN ALL WEATHERS - THE MUDDIER THE BETTER!
EXPLORING THE COUNTRYSIDE IS ONE OF MY MAIN PASSIONS OUTSIDE OF WORK. I LOVE FINDING NEW PLACES TO WALK WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS."
SOPHIE KEMPSTER - NURSERY ASSISTANT
SOPHIE SUPPORTS THE TEAM IN THE POPPIES ROOM.
"HI, I'M SOPHIE, I AM VERY FAMILY ORIENTATED, SO SPEND LOTS OF TIME WITH THEM AT ANY GIVEN OPPORTUNITY. I HAVE 2 DOGS THAT I LIKE TO TAKE FOR WALKS. I'VE ALWAYS GROWN UP AROUND CHILDREN, MY MUM WAS A CHILD MINDER SO I'VE ALWAYS HELPED HER WHEN GROWING UP. WHEN I'M AT WORK I LIKE TO ENGAGE IN MESSY PLAY ACTIVITIES WITH THE CHILDREN."
MEET THE TEAM IN POPPIES
ABBIE JACKSON - nursery assistant
ABBIE IS CURRENTLY STUDYING FOR HER LEVEL 3 EARLY YEARS QUALIFICATION.
"I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND TAKING MY DOGS FOR WALKS.
I ALSO ENJOY SHOPPING AND VISITING NEW PLACES. I LOVE WORKING IN THE POPPIES ROOM BECAUSE I GET TO SEE THE CHILDREN FLOURISH INTO THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL SELVES. I ENJOY TAKING THE CHILDREN OUTSIDE, READING STORIES AND SINGING NURSERY RHYMES."
NICOLE WHITE - L3 nursery practitioner
NICOLE HAS HER LEVEL 3 IN EARLY YEARS.
"HELLO MY NAME IS NICOLE BUT OFTEN KNOWN AS COLE BY MY LITTLE FRIENDS IN POPPIES.
I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, GOING FOR WALKS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AND BAKING SOME YUMMY TREATS IN MY FREE TIME.
I LOVE WATCHING THE CHILDREN DEVELOP, I ENJOY READING STORIES, GOING FOR NATURE WALKS AND ROLE PLAY IN THE HOME CORNER."
SOPHIE WRIGHT - L3 NURSERY PRACTITIONER
SOPHIE HAS A LEVEL 3 IN EARLY YEARS.
"I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAYING AND BEING OUTDOORS. EXPLORING THE WONDERS OF NATURE, FINDING THE TIME TO SPLASH IN PUDDLES AND GO ON BUG HUNTS, WATCHING THE SEASON CHANGE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN INSPIRED BY MARGARET McMILLAN WHO BELIEVED THE BEST CLASSROOM AND RICHEST CUPBOARD IS ROOFED ONLY BY THE SKY.
I LOVE BEING OUTDOORS WITH MY 3 CHILDREN. WE ARE ALL BIG ANIMAL LOVERS, SO ARE OFTEN AT THE ZOO OR FARM. WE ALSO HAVE 2 CRAZY COLLIES AND 2 CATS SO WE ARE ALWAYS GOING ON LONG WALKS, OUR FAVOURITE THING AS A FAMILY IS VISITING THE SEASIDE."
LAURA FARRAR - L2 NURSERY PRACTITIONER
LAURA HOLDS A LEVel 2 QUALIFICATION IN EARLY YEARS, and IS CURRENTLY STUDYING FOR HER LEVEL 3 award.
"HI I'M LAURA AND I WORK IN THE POPPIES ROOM.
I AM A KEEN WALKER AND TAKE MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OUT AT THE WEEKENDS. WE STARTED GEOCACHING A YEAR AGO AND WE ENJOY HUNTING FOR TREASURE TOGETHER. I ALSO ENJOY HORSE RIDING THOUGH i HAVEN'T DONE IT MUCH RECENTLY!
AT NURSERY, I REALLY ENJOY READING STORIES TO THE CHILDREN. WE ENJOY MAKING DIFFERENT VOICES AND GOING ON MANY ADVENTURES."
eLLIE STAY - L2 NURSERY PRACTITIONER
ELLIE HOLDS A LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATION AND IS CURRENTLY COMPLETING HER LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION IN EARLY YEARS.
"HI, I'M ELLE AND I WORK IN THE POPPIES ROOM. AT NURSERY I ENJOY READING STORIES TO THE CHILDREN, SINGING SONGS & SPENDING TIME OUTSIDE IN THE GARDEN GETTING MUDDY! WHEN I'M NOT AT NURSERY I ENOY SPENDING TIME WITH MY FRIENDS & FAMILY & TAKING MY DOG MARLEY FOR LONG WALKS."
MEET THE TEAM IN SUNFLOWERS
KHADIJA ALI - NURSERY ASSISTANT
KHADIJA HAS ALMOST FINISHED HER LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION IN EARLY YEARS.
"HI, I'M KHADIJA, I ORIGINALLY STARTED MY JOURNEY AT NURSERY, WORKING IN THE BABY ROOM & MADE MY WAY UP TO PRE-SCHOOL. IT TRULY IS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE TO SEE THE CHILDREN FLOURISH THROUGHOUT THEIR TIME IN THE SETTING. GOING THROUGH EACH OF THE ROOM, I HAVE ALWAYS STRONGLY BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT WORKING WITHIN THE CHILDCARE SECTOR., THEREFORE HAVING THE CHANCE TO DO THIS FIRST HAND MAKES WORK SEEM LIKE A HOBBY NOT A JOB. I REALLY ENJOY PROVIDING STIMULATING ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT THE CHILDRENS DEVELOPMENT & OFTEN YOU WILL FIND ME IN THE CREATIVE AREA AS I LOVE ARTS & CRAFTS.
OUTSIDE OF NURSERY I ENJOY SPENDING MY TIME CLEANING....(YES, YOU READ THAT RIGHT.) I FIND IT VERY THERAPEUTIC & IF YOU DO EVER CATCH ME OUTSIDE I WILL MOST LIKELY BE IN THE CLEANING AISLE OF MY LOCAL TESCO!!"
ABIGAIL (ABBY) THOM - NURSERY ASSISTANT
ABBY IS CURRENTLY COMPLETING HER LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION IN EARLY YEARS. "HI, I'M ABBY & I STARTED AT ASHRIDGE DAY NURSERY IN SEPTEMBER 2020. I HAVE WORKED IN CHILDCARE SINCE LEAVING SCHOOL & HAVE WANTED TO WORK WITH CHILDREN SINCE I WAS A CHILD MYSELF. WHILE AT NURSERY I ENJOY GOING WALKING WITH THE CHILDREN, GETTING ARTY & COOKING OR BAKING. AFTER ALL MESSY MEANS FUN!!!
OUTSIDE OF NURSERY I ENJOY BEING OUTDOORS, EXPLORING, WALKING & GOING RUNNING, YOU'LL OFTEN FIND ME IN THE KITCHEN COOKING & BAKING!!"
STANIA HUNT - L2 NURSERY PRACTITIONER
STANIA HOLDS A LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATION IN EARLY YEARS.
"HI, MY NAME IS STANIA AND I AM FROM SLOVAKIA. I'VE BEEN IN CHILDCARE FOR OVER 20 YEARS. I'M BASED IN THE SUNFLOWERS ROOM. I TAKE GREAT PLEASURE WATCHING CHILDREN STRIVE & GROW IN MY CARE. YOU MOSTLY SEE ME DOING ART & CRAFT ACTIVITIES, YOGA STRETCHING OR ANYTIHNG THAT MAKES CHILDREN HAPPY. I AM QUITE PASSIONATE ABOUT EATING HEALTHILY, SO IT MIRRORS MY FOOD ACTIVITIES SUCH AS 'TEA TASTING OR EXOTIC FRUIT TASTING'. YOU ALSO FIND ME ORGANISING DRAWERS OR SWEEPING THE FLOOR. I AM A PEOPLE PERSON & I AM VERY LUCKY TO WORK WITH SUCH A LOVELY TEAM."
ADIFFA ZAHID - L2 NURSERY PRACTITIONER
ADIFFA HOLDS A LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATION IN EARLY YEARS.
HOLLIE HICKMAN - NURSERY ASSISTANT
HOLLIE IS OUR APPRENTICE, SHE IS STUDYING HER LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION IN EARLY YEARS.
CAITLIN FRANKLIN - BREAKFAST ASSISTANT
CAITLIN SUPPORTS THE CHILDREN AND STAFF DURING BREAKFAST.......
SIMONE GODWIN - L5 KEY PERSON
SIMONE IS LEVEL 5 QUALIFIED.
"I'M SIMONE I HOLD A FOUNDATION DEGREE IN EARLY YEARS (LEVEL 5) AND I HAVE WORKED IN THE CHILDCARE SECTOR SINCE 1996. I CAME ABOARD "TEAM ASHRIDGE" IN JANUARY 2021 AS SEND SUPPORT. MY PASSION IS INCLUSION & HOLISTIC LEARNING, USING ALL OF THE SENSES. I LIKE PLANNING OPEN ENDED ACTIVITIES, THE MESSIER THE BETTER, WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN THROUGH EXPERIMENTING. I LOVE TO SEE HOW MUCH THE EARLY YEARS AGE GROUP DEVELOP OVER SUCH A SHORT SPACE OF TIME"
STUDENTS AND AGENCY/BANK STAFF
LUCY HODGES - COLLEGE STUDENT
