Our Staff

We have highly trained mature staff, who have a vast experience of working with all ages of children. All staff are qualified first aiders and attend training courses to develop their skills and thus improve quality of care.

Each child joins a small group of friends with a member of staff designated with special responsibility for their wellbeing. This provides the children with a sense of security and helps them to settle into the nursery.

It also helps the parent to have a familiar face to identify and relate to. The key worker is responsible for filling in child development forms and feedback to parents.

Sandra Leamey

Partner/Manager

My name is Sandra. I am a partner and manager of the Elm House Day Nurseries. I have 25 years’ experience in childcare and I am dedicated to the children in our care. Over the years I have gained a range of qualifications enabling myself to provide the best possible care for our children and staff.

These include:

NVQ Level 2 childcare.
NVQ Level 3 childcare.
Level 4 Management.
Level 5 Foundation Degree Early Years.
Chartered Leader Programme.

In addition, to ensure that our staff and myself can continue to provide the best inclusive practice, I have achieved a qualification in Special Educational Needs and I am a qualified SEND officer. Here at Elm House Day Nurseries we thrive on helping and supporting each and every one of our children and their families. I have completed this qualification to gain more knowledge of how to improve the lives of all our children.

Elm House Childwall

Lynsey Thomas

Hello, my name is Lynsey and I am the Manager at Elm House Day Nursery. I hold a level 5 certificate in management. I have worked within the childcare industry for over 18 years.

Cheree Dooley

My name is Cheree. I am the Deputy Manager of Elm House Day Nursery. I have worked in nurseries for 20 years and held position of Manager at my last nursery. I have level 4 in childcare and a foundation degree in Childcare Mangement. I enjoy working with children and monitoring the progress in their development.

Angela Smith

I am Co-Deputy Manager along with Cheree, I hold a Level 4 Higher Professional Diploma in Early Years Management. I have experience of being a Manager but enjoy being with the children and supporting their learning and development.

Helen Gorry

My name is Helen. I am a qualified level 3 Nursery Educator. I have worked in the childcare industry for over 12 years. I am also the S.E.N.D Officer at Elm House Childwall. I have a son and I live at home with my husband and my two dogs. I enjoy socialising with my friends and going swimming.

Rachael Rudd

My name is Rachael. I am married and I have two children. I am a qualified level 3 Nursery Educator. I have worked with children for over 15 years.

Melissa Beard

Hello my name is Melissa. I am a qualified level 3 Nursery Educator. I have been working in childcare for 13 years. I live with my fiancé and our daughter.

Jacqui Gray

Hi my name is Jacqui. I qualified in 1993 as a NNEB. I worked for the public sector of childcare and development for 21 years before returning to my studies in 2015. I recently qualified at level 5 in Early Years Practice.

Jennifer Moore

My name is Jennifer Moore. I am Level 6 qualified after completing Early Childhood Studies in university. I enjoy running in my free time and taking part in races.

Amanda Downey

My name is Amanda, I have been working in childcare for 8 years. I have an Early Years Foundation degree. I work part time as I have a Son at home.

Kirsty Atkinson

My name is Kirsty. I am 22 years old. I have a 2.2 in Early Childhood and Education. I volunteer with a local Rainbows and Guides unit, I have worked in Early Years since 2017.

Sophie Kent

My name is Sophie. I am a Level 3 nursery practitioner with six years’ experience. I enjoy working with the children to help them learn, grow and develop.

Rachel Woodhouse

My name is Rachel. I have worked within a childcare setting for 2 years. I am a level 3 NVQ qualified nursery educator.

Charlotte Woodhouse

My name is Charlotte. I have worked within a childcare setting for 2 years. I am NVQ level 3 qualified. I started working in Elm House Day Nursery in September 2016.

Jessica Howard

My name is Jess. I qualified as a Level 2 practitioner in 2016. I have a young child of my own. My favourite part of working in the nursery is helping the children learn and grow every day.

Natalie Foy

My name is Natalie. I am Level 4 qualified and have worked in childcare for 18 years. I enjoy helping set the foundations for the children I care for and seeing them develop into themselves.

Lyndsey Ward

My name is Lyndsey. I have been awarded Level 2 in Children and People’s workforce and Level 3 in Childcare. I have also completed an Autism Awareness course. I live with my husband and two children and our dog.

Lauren Du-Buisson-Spargo

My name is Lauren. I enjoy working in Hedgehogs room. I am currently working towards my Level 2 qualification and look forward to completing Level 3 in the future.

Sarah Chandler

My name is Sarah. I am 22 years old and a qualified level 3 practitioner.

Molly Rankin

My name is Molly. I am 27 years old. I have worked in childcare for 3 years. I am NVQ level 3 qualified.

Lauren Welsh

My name is Lauren. I am currently working towards my level 2 childcare qualification. I have always wanted to work with children. I love to watch and help them grow to the best of their ability.

Shanine Dooley

My name is Shanine. I have been in childcare for 2 years and I have enjoyed every moment. I am currently level 2 qualified in childcare. I also have a level 2 qualification in Autism. I am working towards my level 3 in CYP to further my career.

Tracy Evans-Foster

Hi my name is Tracy and I am the cook in the nursery. I really enjoy working at Elm House Day Nursery providing home cooked healthy meals for the children.

Kirstie Lang

I work as lunch cover and undertake the domestic tasks at Elm House. I enjoy, spending time with my family.

Elm House West Derby

Allison Lyon

My name is Allison. I am Deputy Manager at Elm House Day Nursery West Derby and have over 27 years experience working in day nurseries. I have recently completed my BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies.

Sue Hill

My Name is Sue. I am the Deputy Manager at Elm House Day Nursery West Derby. I have 15 years experience working with children in Early Years Education. I am committed supporting to Early Years Framework and developing positive relationships with parents and their children. The children always come first and I feel my greatest reward is the satisfaction of seeing the children in my care having fun, enjoying themselves and developing.

Maria Founds

My name is Maria. I am the responsible person in Elm House Day Nursery West Derby. I have worked here for 7 years. I work in the toddler room along with Sarah, we work very well together. I am a qualified level 3 child practitioner and a level 5 in leadership. I am also the S.E.N.D officer. I find my job very rewarding.

Wendy Evans

My name is Wendy. I have Level 3 Early Years and Education and have worked with children for 19 years. I am very passionate about my job and enjoy working with all age groups.

Laura Penkman

My name is Laura. I have Level 3 NNEB and have been qualified for 18 years. I am very passionate about my job and enjoy working with all age groups. I currently work alongside Ciara in Explores Room.

Sophie Wallace

My name is Sophie. I have a degree in Early Years Education (Level 6). I have been working in childcare since 2015. I currently work in the baby room alongside Laura which I am really enjoying.

Sarah Mottram

My name is Sarah. I have worked in childcare since leaving school and I am Level 3 qualified. I live at home with my mum and dad. I have two sisters and love to watch football with my dad.

Sarah Jane Groom

My name is Sarah Jane. I currently work with Pre-School children. I really enjoy working with children in Pre-School, getting them prepared for school. I hold a NVQ level 2 qualification and I am working towards my level 3.

Nicola Nuttall

My name is Nicola. I am the cook at Elm House Day Nursery West Derby. I enjoy making nutritious meals for the children. I also enjoy cooking with the children once a month making fresh bread, pizzas and cakes.

We are a family owned Children's Day Nursery with facilities for children aged 3 months to 5 years of age. We have 2 nurseries located in Liverpool; Childwall & West Derby.