The Team

We believe that the best child care is only made possible by ensuring we have a team of highly trained and dedicated staff. At Oakmount we achieve this by providing a range of professional development opportunities and ensuring all staff are given the opportunity to attend both in house and external training courses. As members of the National Day Nursery Association we ensure we are kept up to date with the current best practice initiatives. All our staff are fully qualified with various early years qualifications ranging from BTEC and NNEB diploma's to NVQ level 3s, 4s, foundation degrees and also BA honours degrees. Three members of our management team are trained to an NVQ level 4 whilst we also have a fully trained teacher with Early Years Professional Status (EYPS). To ensure we keep offering a high standard of provision and care, all of our staff are trained in Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding and all are CRB checked as part of our staff induction process. Here we have included our staff portrait gallery with a brief introduction to all the members of the team.

Rosemary - Proprietor

Rosemary has been the proprietor of Oakmount since opening in May 1997. As she lives on site she is always on hand to greet parents and deal directly with any questions and queries. Rosemary holds an NVQ level 3 qualification in childcare and whilst enjoying time with the children, most of her time is spent dealing with administrative matters, and her 30 years of managerial expertise serve her well with this. Rosemary is big Tennis fan and it is her dream to watch a Wimbledon centre court final one day.

“Leadership and management 30 years with 15 years being in childcare provision. Been at Oakmount since 1997.”

Steven - Manager

Rosemary’s son Steven is the manager of Oakmount with 16 years childcare experience and after receiving A level qualifications in sciences and politics currently holds an NVQ level 4 early years management certificate. As part of his official duties Steven also fulfils the roles of Safeguarding Officer, Equality Named Co-ordinator and Health and Safety manager as well as providing the children with a positive male role model. Steven is a keen sports fan and travels regularly to watch football and motor racing.

“Experience: been in childcare for 15 years, Started at Oakmount in 1997”

Nicola - Early years teacher

Nicola is Rosemary’s daughter and joined the team at Oakmount in March 2009. Previously she spent 14 years teaching in Primary Schools, working as part of a school management team for several years. Since joining Oakmount she has furthered her qualifications by obtaining her EYP status and as such oversees the implementation of the EYFS curriculum throughout the nursery. As part of her official duties Nicola also carries out the role of deputy Safeguarding officer. Nicola's two children have both attended Oakmount and with another soon to join us, family are never too far away.

“Experience in Education 17 years. Been at Oakmount since March 2009.”

Shelley - Deputy manager

Shelley has been one of our two deputy nursing managers since Rosemary started the business 15 years ago. She works closely with both the management team and the nursery nurses and children to ensure our high standards of care are delivered daily. Her additional duties include being the nursery SENCO (Special Needs Co-ordinator) and being in charge of organising staff training and student/apprenticeships. Shelley is an avid fan of eighties films and TV, the cheesier the better.

“Experience: been in childcare for 16 years. Been at Oakmount since 1996.”

Michelle - Deputy manager

Michelle is our second deputy nursing manager and brings a wealth of experience to the team at Oakmount with 32 years of childcare experience and being a mother to three. Michelle holds both an NNEB qualification and also an NVQ level 4. Before working in day nurseries she spent 12 years as a teaching assistant in Primary School; ran playgroups and after school clubs and also worked with young adults with challenging behaviour. Michelle also has experience working with children with Special Needs. In addition to supporting the staff at Oakmount Michelle is also the nursery PICO (Parental Involvement Co-Ordinator). Michelle is a big animal lover and her three cats and two dogs take up plenty of her free time.

“Experience: been in childcare for 32 years, Been at Oakmount since October 2006.”

Tracy - Cook

Tracy is the cook at Oakmount and has worked hard for the last 12 years to produce healthy and satisfying meals for the children. Tracy has an NVQ catering level 2 along with her advanced food hygiene qualifications. Before joining Nursery she spent 6 years working in school catering management and another year running her own catering business. Tracy is very keen on keeping fit and eating the right foods. Tracy can often be seen cycling to and from work.

“Experience:19 years catering experience. Been at Oakmount since August 1999.”

Pat - Kitchen assistant/cleaner

Pat holds an advanced food hygiene certificate and works in the kitchen assisting Tracy and Ellen. Pat also spends much of her time working hard keeping all public areas clean and hygienic. Being the one who brings dinners and snacks through to the rooms, she is a firm favourite with all of the kids and she is affectionately known to everyone as 'Our Pat'.

“Been at Oakmount since July 2004.”

Ellen - Kitchen assistant

Ellen works alongside Tracy as a kitchen assistant and helps prepare all the children’s meals. She also plans and produces the afternoon snacks for the nursery. Ellen is a car enthusiast who seems always to have a different mode of transport and also regularly rides her motorbike to work

“Experience: 18 months kitchen experience. Been at Oakmount since February 2010.”

Lindsey - Baby room nurse

Lindsey holds her NVQ level 3 qualification and has 12 years of experience working in nurseries where she has held various positions including those of room leader and supervisor. Lindsey currently works with our younger babies alongside Natalie.

“Experience: been in childcare for 12 years. Been at Oakmount since March 2010.”

Natalie - Baby nurse

Natalie has an NVQ level 3 qualification and currently works with our small babies in B1. Natalie trained with the nursery and other than a break from work for maternity and to spend some time with her little girl, she has been with Oakmount ever since.

“Experience: been in childcare for 6 years. Been at Oakmount since November 2005.”

Afeefa - Baby nurse

Afeefa holds a level 3 CACHE in childcare and after an initial year as a Primary School teaching assistant has now been working in nurseries for 4 years. Afeefa is experienced with the Pre-School children and now works with our under two’s. She has experience working with autistic children.

“Experience: been in childcare for 5 years. Been at Oakmount since November 2008.”

Charlie - Baby nurse

Charlie currently holds her BTEC level 3 and also holds a level 4 Early Years foundation degree and a BA honours degree in Children, Schools and Families.. Charlie has previously completed many voluntary placements in Primary Schools but has now settled well into nursery life working with our under two’s.

“Experience: been in childcare for 1 year. Been at Oakmount since April 2011.”

Gemma - Baby nurse

Gemma holds a BTEC National Diploma level 3 and currently works with our older babies. In addition to her nursery experience Gemma spent 1 ½ years as a children’s play centre worker and also has some knowledge of baby sign. Gemma likes to spend her spare time playing various musical instruments and currently plays the saxaphone and flute.

“Experience: been in childcare for 4 � years. Been at Oakmount since June 2011.”

Samantha - Baby nurse

Sam joined us after qualifying with a BTEC level3 in June. Although this is her first job Sam has had many placements during her course and has recent experience in all age groups. She is currently working with our older babies and has become an asset to her team. Sam competes in mini stock car racing and holds several awards for her efforts.

“Experience: qualified in June 2011. Been at Oakmount since September 2011.”

Laura - Baby Nurse

Laura joined our baby unit team in May 2011 from her previous nursery in Wigan. Laura is a NVQ level 2 and is working hard towards her level 3 qualification. Laura has a very creative side and enjoys nothing better than to sit down with the children and get messy.

“Experience: been in childcare for 3 years. Been at Oakmount since March 2011.”

Zoe - Two to three nurse

Zoe has just successfully completed her NVQ level 3. Zoe has experience working with older children through working with after school clubs and she currently works in one of our toddler rooms.

“Experience: been in childcare for 10 years. Been at Oakmount since January 2007.”

Nilifur - Two to three nurse

Nili has her NVQ level 3 qualification. She is currently a member of our toddler team. Nili is also a qualified hair and makeup artist and offers her skills at many functions and events like asian weddings and parties.

“Experience: been in childcare for 1 year. At Oakmount since November 2010.”

Orma - Baby unit nurse

Orma holds an NVQ level 3 in childcare and development and works with our young babies. She has worked at Oakmount for over 7 years and has become a very valuable member of the team. Orma is keen on health and fitness and, along with other members of the team, attends many classes at the local gym.

“Experience: been in childcare for 12 years. Been at Oakmount since May 2005”

Nicola - Two to three nurse

Nicola has her BTEC National Diploma level 3 and has worked at Oakmount since she qualified 7 years ago. Nicola works with our older toddlers helping equip the children for making the move up to pre-school.

“Experience: been in childcare for 7 years. Been at Oakmount since July 2004.”

Collette - Two to three nurse

Collette has obtained her NVQ level 3 and has worked at Oakmount since qualifying 12 years ago. She works alongside Nicola and Lyndsey in our older toddler room.

“Experience: been in childcare for 12 years. Been at Oakmount since November 2000.”

Lyndsey - Two to three nurse

Lyndsey has her NVQ level 3 and works in our older toddler room. Lyndsey loves the theatre and is the creative one in this team!

“Experience: been in childcare for 6 years. Been at Oakmount since November 2007.”

Val - Pre school nurse

Val brings a lot of experience into nursery as a mother of four and a brownie leader with 14 years volunteering in Primary School before gaining her CACHE level 3 qualifications. Val works hard in our pre-schoool to begin equipping the children for their move into school life. Val is a keen gardner and a lot of the plants and herbs in the nursery garden are down to her green fingers.

“Experience: been in childcare for 4 years. Been at Oakmount since June 2009.”

Emily - Baby Nurse

Emily has worked at Oakmount since November 2008 and has recently returned after a short break to have her own little boy. Emily works with our under two's and is a valuable member of our team.

“5 years at Oakmount”

Gemma - 2-3 nurse

Gemma started working at Oakmount in March 2012 and has become a favourite amounst the children, parents and staff straight away. Gemma holds a BTEC national deploma in childcare and a foundation degree in the care and education of young people. Gemma works alongside Nili and Zoe with our 2 - 3 year old children.

“Experience : been in childcare since July 2009. Been at Oakmount since March 2012.”

Laura - Pre School nurse

Laura has a BTEC national diploma level 3 and has worked in nurseries since qualifying 9 years ago. Laura is very experienced and has had some special needs training. She currently works in our Younger pre-school room and also has plenty of experience working with the younger babies. Laura also has qualifications in interior design and puts this to very good use within the nursery as some of our displays and decorations show.

“Experience: been in childcare for 9 years. Been at Oakmount since April 2008.”

Kris - Pre school nurse

Kris has her NVQ level 3 and has worked at Oakmount since qualifying 8 years ago. As well as being one half of a very valuable older pre- school team Kris is currently training to be the deputy SENCO at Oakmount. Kris is a fan of the theatre and also enjoys watching American dramas.

“Experience: been in childcare for 8 years. Been at Oakmount since April 2004.”