We have an excellent group of staff at the pre-school who are committed to the children.
Our full-time members of staff are Michelle Clayton and Cass Carter, both of whom have NVQ level 3 in Early Years
Childcare and Development. Cass is currently working towards the Foundation Degree in Early Years.
We have 2 part time assistants - Karyn Nightingale and Susan Yeates. All staff are First Aid trained.
We are a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, and are up to date with current training strategies.
Staff are encouraged to attend any extra courses which are of interest to pre-school and to pursue training and study opportunities.
I have been working with children Since 1996. I initially started off working in a nursery studying at the same time for my NVQ level 2 in child care. After successfully completing my NVQ level 2 i spent 3 yrs as a nanny working for various families with a range of different aged children. In 2000 I started a 6 yr employment at the Rocking Horse day nursery. After successfully completing my NVQ level 3 I was promoted to Deputy manager. I stepped down from this post after having my own son. I have been working for Blakesley pre-school since 2008.
I have been working within the childcare sector for 12 years and have experience working with children between new born and 12 years of age. I am qualified NVQ Level 3 and working towards a Foundation Degree in Early Years. I began working in private nurseries, followed by assisting with setting up a successful afterschool club. After my daughter was born I then took a break and was employed as a nanny for various families. After relocating, I went back into a nursery again, working my way up to Manager then Operations Manager. I am now Deputy Supervisor at Blakesley Pre-School.
I have a very arty background having worked for a large national company for 13yrs doing visual merchandising. More recently I worked at Whittlebury Hall as well as Whittlebury Pre-School . I have gained cache level 1, Paediatric First Aid and Introduction to Common Induction Standards whilst working at Blakesley Pre-School and am about to start my level 3 diploma. I am also the designated link between the pre-school and Blakesley Primary School. I enjoy making crafts in my spare time and have two children at the local village school.
Most of the time whilst my own 3 children were growing up, I was involved in childcare on a voluntary basis - helping in sessions both in playschool and primary school, running the school library, and for 4 years volunteered at the local hospital working on the children's ward.
Since moving to Northamptonshire 16 years ago, I have worked at Nicholas Hawksmoor Primary School for 10 years as a Learning Support Assistant/Classroom Assistant, mainly working 1 to 1 with children with learning difficulties.
For the last two years whilst working at Blakesley Pre-School, I also work for the charity Homestart, which involves supporting families with children under 5 years of age, and obtained training in all aspects of childcare, e.g. first aid, safeguarding children, and child development.