All childcare is provided by registered, professionals who are fully trained in looking after children and have been DBS checked.
| Position | Name | Area of responsibility |
| Childcare Manager | Jackie Walker | Safeguarding Lead, Safer Recruitment and ENCO |
| Deputy Childcare Manager | Donna Reynolds | Health and Safety, Behaviour Management, Safeguarding Lead |
| Senior Childcare Practitioner | Tammy Jay | SENCO and Safeguarding Lead |
|
Childcare Practitioner
|
Laura Kelly
|
First Aid |
Position: Childcare Manager
Qualifications:
I hold a National Nursery Examination Board Certificate (NNEB)
Experience:
– I have worked in childcare for the last 39 years.
– I have been childcare manager at Little Sparks for 16 years.
– I worked as a Community Nursery Nurse for our local Sure Start Centre.
– I was a governor at Valley primary School.
– I have previously worked with children with Special Educational Needs at Hall school and in the Autistic Unit at Harford Manor.
– I was involved in a Home Intervention Project, working with parents in their own homes and employing Family Support workers.
– I was a childminder when my own children were very young.
Favourite Children’s Book: Doing the Animal Bop – I just love it!
I really enjoy working with young children, seeing how they grow and learn. I always wanted to work with children which was why I enrolled on the NNEB course.
I really enjoy working at Little Sparks and being a member of the team. it is wonderful having a part in a child’s development and watching them grow in to confident, competent reception class pupils.
Children’s development is wonderful and, to be part of their early years development is rewarding and something to cherish.
I love the innocent way in which children view the world and being part of helping them understand how things work by encouraging them to have a go and enjoying making discoveries together. An example of this is how reflector strips on our jackets glowed brightly when we took a photo and caught them in the flash. it was really cool!
I want to support families in enjoying their children away from the stress of modern day pressure. I had lots of fun with my own children when they were little and hope you do too.
Position: Deputy Childcare Manager
Qualifications: I have an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Development
Experience:
• I have worked in childcare for 20 years.
• I have been Deputy Childcare Manager at Little Sparks for 15 years.
• Previously worked as a Nanny which took me to America, Spain, Portugal and France
• I have worked in Care homes for the elderly
• I was involved with the previous preschool when my children attended sessions
• More recently I became a real life nanny to my grandsons Archie Jacob and Leon.
Favourite children’s book: Owl Babies. I used to read it to my sons – they loved it too!
I love working at Little Sparks. I feel it is a nice, friendly and approachable setting.
I live locally and enjoy seeing the children and their families settle in the area, grow and develop within our care and then eagerly wait to join school as they flourish and gain independence
Position: Childcare Practitioner
Qualifications: BTEC Level 2 First Diploma in Early Years, CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Children’s Care and BTEC Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Distinction)
Experience:
• While studying I worked in different childcare placements with babies, children with special educational needs, nursery and Reception.
• Previously performed volunteer work with a care agency.
Favourite children’s book: The Tiger Who Came to Tea. I used to read it when I was little and also had it read to me.
I am enjoying watching the children grow and develop and I love getting involved with the children’s activities.
Laura Kelly – Childcare Practitioner
Qualifications – BTEC Level 3
After completing my 2 year BTEC course I went straight into a 1:1 role with a 4 year old boy with severe Autism and other learning disabilities. Two years later I took some time out to have my first daughter then returned to work in a private nursery. Had my second daughter then started at Little Sparks.
My favourite book is The Scarecrows Wedding by Julia Donaldson. I love how it rhymes and the idea behind the story.
