NEWS

The Team

The management and staff team at Elvetham Heath Day Nursery have a thorough understanding of what is meant by good quality chidcare, and our dedicated conscientious team is committed to the well being and continuous development of your child. Our programme of continuous professional training ensures that new ideas and initiatives, policies and procedures are always being developed and updated.

Ofsted said 'There is a strong commitment for further development of the skills and training needs of all staff through in-house and external training, staff meetings and cluster meetings within the company which is used to improve the care, learning and development of the children.'

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.

Donna Martin - Deputy Manager

Donna lives in Tadley with her partner and his son. She first qualified in childcare in 1993, completing the Family and Community Care (City and Guilds) and then went on to complete her NVQ Level 3 in childcare in October 2007.

Donna has worked within the childcare industry since first qualifying and has worked with children aged 0-15 years. Donna joined Elvetham Heath Day Nursery in September 2008 after having worked for our sister nursery Footsteps Day Nursery in Farnborough for a year as the preschool co-cordinator where she helped re-vamp the Preschool there.

Donna has a wealth of experience in day nursery settings and has extensive training in all areas of child development and is primarily responsible for the maintenance of Health and Safety Standards within the nursery.

Natalie Harvey - Junior Deputy 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 in September 2008 having been promoted from her position as 2-3 years coordinator, a post she had previously held for a year.

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 is expecting her first child in May 2010.

Kelly Smith - Junior Deputy Manager

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 years room and was promoted to Junior Deputy Manager.

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.

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 from having her second son and became Deputy Manager again in Farnborough, until her eldest son started school, when she became a part-time Quality Assessor here at Elvetham Heath. Caroline lives in Hook with her family.

James Sharrod - Preschool 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.

James is a supernumerary member of staff who has his own preschool timetable. James focuses on the educational aspects of the EYFS including his fun-filled Jolly Phonic sessions.

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 achieved the Nursery Chef of the Year award 2009 from the nationwide company Nursery Management Today.

Alex Cooke - Room Manager, Hedgehogs (Babies)

Alex joined Elvetham Heath Day Nursery in June 2008 as a nursery apprentice. She qualified with her NVQ Level 3 in December 2009 and went on to become the Room Manager of our baby room in May 2010.

Alex has spent time around the nursery 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. Alex is really enjoying the role and feels that she has a great team to support her within the room.

Katie Thring - Room Manager, Squirrels (11-18 months)

Katie lives in Fleet and started her childcare career here at the nursery in February 2005, having previously worked in the catering industry.

Katie completed her NVQ Level 3 and was then promoted to Room Manager in December 2008. Katie has spent all of her time in the 11-18 months room and has gained a lot of experience and knowledge of this age group.

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.

She completed her NVQ Level 2 and is currently working towards her Level 3. Maryanne became Room Manager in January 2010 after 16 months' experience within this age group.

Cassie Nix - Room Manager, Chipmunks (18 months - 2 years)

Cassie joined Elvetham Heath in July 2008 following a career in retail, starting her NVQ Level 3 in childcare here with us in April 2009 and completing it in April 2010. Throughout her time at Elvetham Heath, Cassie has been working in our Chipmunks room (1½ years - 2 years aged children) and has just been promoted to Room Manager.

Cassie holds her Paediatric First Aid and food hygiene certificates. A woman of many talents, she has also completed a three year course at college studying beauty therapy!

Sian Green - Acting Room Manager, Badgers (2-2.5 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 recently took on the role of Room Manager covering maternity leave in our Badgers Room (2 - 2.5) years room in June 2010.

Louise Paterson - Room Manager, Porcupines (2.5-3 years)

Louise lives in Sandhurst; she joined Elvetham Heath in June 2006 having previously worked in another nursery setting. On completing her NVQ Level 3 at the nursery, Louise was promoted to Room Manager of our baby room.

In June 2008 she exceeded her role in the baby room, wanting a new challenge and became Room Manager of our 1-2 years room and was then given the opportunity to work as Room Manager of our 2-3 years room in June 2009.

Tiffany Cox - Room Manager, Otters (3-5 years)

Tiffany joined the nursery in September 2006 in our 2-3 years room, where she completed her NVQ Level 3. Tiffany was then promoted to Room Manager in October 2008. Tiffany became Room Manager of our Preschool room, Otters, in June 2009.

Tiffany lives in Yateley. She has an AVCE in Travel and Tourism. Tiffany looked after 3 year old twins and a 6 week old baby from 2004–2006

Kirsty Millward - Room Manager, Frogs (3-5 years)

Kirsty lives in Frimley. After completing a one year CACHE Child Care course at college Kirsty started at Elvetham Heath In May 2006 and completed her NVQ Level 3 whilst working at the nursery in 2008. Kirsty has four years' experience within the Preschool room. Kirsty was promoted to Room Manager of our Frogs Preschool in June 2009.

The Key, Elvetham Heath,, Fleet, GU51 1HA
T: 01252 627 200 Email: elvethamheath@casterbridgecae.com