About us > Meet the Team

About Us

Meet the Team

Elvetham Heath Day Nursery & Preschool

Dawn Abrey

Nursery Manager

Dawn has worked at Elvetham Heath Day Nursery since it opened in July 2003, having previously worked for Casterbridge for over a year at one of their other nurseries.

At Elvetham Heath Dawn was able to help set up the nursery from scratch and enjoyed a series of promotions before becoming Deputy Manager in May 2005. She became Acting Manager in September 2007 and Nursery Manager two years later in September 2009.

Dawn has said that although challenging at times, working with children is extremely rewarding, and she definitely wouldn't want to do anything else! It is just as well, because Dawn had her first child, Isabelle, in February 2009! Dawn and family live in Camberley.

Natalie Harvey

Deputy Nursery Manager

Natalie lives in Bracknell and joined the nursery in November 2007 as Room Manager of the 2-3 years room. Natalie became part of the nursery management team as Junior Deputy Manager in September 2008 having been promoted from her position as 2-3 years coordinator, a post she had previously held for a year. Natalie then progressed to Deputy Nursery Manager in February 2011.

Natalie gained her Level 3 childcare qualification in 2005 and her Level 3 in management a year later. She is enjoying her increased responsibility, and continues to monitor and support the care and education throughout the nursery.

Natalie gave birth to her first child in May 2010 and returned to work in November that year.

Kelly Smith

Deputy Nursery Manager (Currently on Maternity Leave due back in January 2013)

Kelly lives in Eversley and started at the nursery in June 2005 as a nursery nurse in the baby room. She left to have her first son in December 2005. After returning from maternity leave in July 2006 Kelly was promoted to Room Manager of the 12-18 months room. Kelly went on maternity leave again with her twin boys in September 2007. On her return she worked in the 2-3's room and was successfully promoted to Junior Deputy Manager in July 2009, then quickly progressed to Deputy Nursery Manager in February 2011.

Kelly has a wealth of previous childcare experience she worked as nanny, playworld assistant and at an after school club during her time at Yateley Sixth Form College.

Toni Kirby

Junior Deputy Manager and SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator)

Toni first joined Elvetham Heath Day Nursery in January 2007 showing a natural passion to working with children. Toni completed her NVQ Level 3 in August 2009 and has gone on to study towards her Foundation Degree in Early Years, of which she is in her second year. Toni is an inspiring staff member with a great personality and energy that has made a difference to not only our setting but each individual child. Toni was promoted to Junior Deputy Manager in November 2011, supporting our management team to ensure high standards of care are being provided at all times.

As SENCo Toni takes time each week to review her specialist cases and give her expertise and advice on situations ensuring our children’s individual learning and development needs are met.

James Sharrod

Junior Deputy Manager and Preschool Advisory Teacher

After completing full time education James joined Casterbridge in July 2008 as our Preschool Teacher. He achieved his Primary Education and Teaching degree at the University of Chichester in June 2008. In September 2011 James was promoted to Advisory Preschool Teacher for Casterbridge, providing support support across a group of nurseries.

He is currently also working as Junior Deputy Manager covering maternity leave.

James supports Miss. Hoare on the delivery of the educational aspects of the EYFS including Jolly Phonic sessions and Oxford Reading Tree. He also has an invaluable input into the development of the preschool environment.

Sara Hope

Training Manager - Training College

I have been in post as Training Manager at Elvetham Heath Day Nursery Training College since the end of June 2010 and in this role I tutor, assess and carry out internal quality assurance procedures for level 2 and 3 Apprentices who are currently working towards their certificates and diplomas for the children and young people’s workforce.

My qualifications include EYCE Level 3, A1, V1, 7302, CEYP L4, CSS L4 and Dip HE L5; I am currently working towards my BA Honours in Childhood and Youth Studies and DTLLS. My previous roles have included Pre-school Practitioner/Leader/Deputy Supervisor, Crèche Leader, After School Manager, Childminder, Trainer Assessor and Regional Internal Verifier. I am married, have two children and I am currently living in Bordon.

Sarah Cantlon

Quality Assessor

Sarah lives in Aldershot with her husband, daughter and son. Sarah has worked for Casterbridge Nurseries since September 1997. She began her career after completing her CCE and NNEB at college.

Sarah was a nursery nurse, then promoted to Room Manager, Deputy Manager and Manager of Nursery on the Green, our nursery in Frimley Green. Upon returning from maternity leave from her first child in February 2007, Sarah then left to have her second child and returned to work part time in Fleet as a Quality Assessor in July 2008.

Caroline Blackburn

Quality Assessor

Caroline joined our sister nursery, Footsteps in Farnborough, in 1999 as a Room Manager. She was promoted to Senior Nursery Nurse, then Deputy Manager, within a year. Caroline left in 2003 to have her first son and then returned part-time as an assessor.

Caroline returned to Elvetham Heath as Deputy Manager after having her second son, until her eldest son started school, when she became a part-time Quality Assessor. Caroline lives in Hook with her family where she is enjoying maternity leave for a third time after recently giving birth to a healthy little girl.

Chris Hearn

Nursery Chef

Chris joined Elvetham Heath Day Nursery as maternity cover back in February 2009, and then came on board full time in February 2010. Chris has 22 years' experience within the catering industry.

He successfully won 'Nursery Chef of the Year 2009' award from the nationwide company Nursery Management Today. Most recently Chris was awarded with 'Casterbridge Chef of the Year 2010' and displays his trophies in our nursery reception.

Chris enjoys creating nutritional dishes for the children. He also encourages their interest in healthy eating by spending time with the children getting them to help with the food preparation.

Natasha Hoare

Preschool Teacher

Natasha joined our Preschool team as Preschool Principal in 2010. She has a wealth of experience and knowledge of children aged 3 months to 5 years. Natasha completed her Diploma in Childcare and Education in September 2007 and furthered her qualification by completing her Foundation Degree in Early Years. Natasha has worked as a teaching assistant in a local school in Eversley for the past two years, where she started her BA Hons Degree in Children’s Development and Learning and Early Years Professional Status.

Natasha has recently been promoted to Preschool Teacher and is now a supernumerary member of staff who has her own preschool timetable. Natasha focuses on the educational aspects of the EYFS including her fun-filled Jolly Phonic sessions.

Kerry Gallop

Room Manager, Hedgehogs (Babies)

Kerry qualified with her NVQ Level 3 in July 2009 whilst working at a day nursery in Guilford. Kerry continued to work her way up from Apprentice to Nursery Nurse all the way to Room Manager and joined our team in August 2011.

Kerry has spent the past four years in a nursery setting gaining experience with all age groups and on completion of her NVQ loved the opportunity to work back within the baby room, as this was her favourite age group. Kerry is really enjoying the role and feels that she has a great team to support her within the room.

Suzanne Crane

Room Manager, Squirrels (1-1.5 Years)

Suzanne started working at Elvetham Heath Day Nursery in 2009 and completing her Diploma in Childcare and Education in July of that year. She started working in Porcupines as a Nursery Nurse before leaving to go on Maternity Leave. On her return Suzanne was promoted to Acting Room Manager of Squirrels.

Suzanne currently lives in Farnborough with her Husband and two children, Joseph and Charlie, who both attend the nursery.

Maryanne Smith

Acting Room Manager, Foxcubs (Toddlers)

Maryanne lives in Eversley. Before joining the nursery in September 2008, Maryanne worked as a Children’s Playworld Supervisor. Maryanne shines in her role as Room Manager consistently providing high standards of care and education for our children.

She completed her NVQ Level 3 with us in September 2010 and was quickly promoted to Room Manager and is thriving in her role.

Abbie Hinkley

Room Manager, Chipmunks (18 months - 2 years)

Abbie joined Elvetham Heath in September 2009 following a career in hospitality, starting her NVQ Level 3 in childcare here with us the following year and completing it in July 2011. Throughout her time at Elvetham Heath, Abbie has been working in our Fox Cubs room (1½ years - 2 years aged children) and has just been promoted to Room Manager after shining in her role as Nursery Nurse.

Abbie holds her Paediatric First Aid and food hygiene certificates. A woman of many talents, she has also completed achieved a qualification in Beauty Therapy and Catering!

Lois Canavan

Room Manager, Badgers (2-2.5 Years)

Lois has worked for Elvetham Heath Day Nursery since completing her Diploma in Child Care and Education in July 2010. Lois has been affiliated with the nursery since completing her final placement for her Diploma here at Elvetham Heath.

Lois has previously worked in Porcupines and has recently been promoted to Badgers Room Manager. She is looking forward to gaining experience in her new role and continuing to develop Badger's high standards.

Sian Green

Room Manager, Porcupines (2.5-3.5 years)

Sian joined the team at Elvetham Heath Day Nursery in May 2008, after working in a previous nursery. She started her NVQ Level 3 and qualified in the December 2009. Sian has gained many experiences and spent a large amount of her time working within our Porcupines Room (2.5-3.5 years) helping and supporting the needs of each individual child.

Sian took on the role of Room Manager covering maternity leave in our Badgers Room (2 - 2.5) years room in June 2010 and was successful in achieving the full time post as Room Manager in January 2011. She is now currently working as Porcupines Room Manager and looking forward to the challenge of managing a bigger team.

Aimee Welch

Preschool Principal (3-5 Years)

Aimee joined the nursery in July 2011 as an advanced apprentice in our Porcupines preschool room. Aimee quickly worked her way to completing her qualification in childcare, showing an abundance of energy and enthusiasm. Once qualified Aimee moved to our Frogs preschool room supporting all aspects of the children’s educational development including Jolly Phonics and Reading. Aimee’s Drive and dedication to her children and her role made the transition to Otters Preschool Principal an easy one.

Aimee is thriving in her new role and is looking forward to implementing and injecting some of her fun and energy into the child led activities within the room.

Lisa Good

Preschool Principal, Frogs (3-5 years)

Lisa joined Elvetham Heath Day Nursery in September 2008 as an apprentice working towards her NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education. Lisa has worked in a variety of age groups within the nursery gaining valuable knowledge of children’s learning and development. Lisa completed her qualification in January 2010 and was successfully promoted to Preschool Principal of Frogs in September 2010. Lisa is also training towards her Assessors Award to support the apprentices within our new training college.

Lisa is currently working hard to enhance the opportunities her Preschool children are given.

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