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.

Angela Smith

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 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.

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 am also the S.E.N.D Officer at Elm House Childwall. 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 over 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 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.

Rachel Woodhouse

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

Charlotte Woodhouse

My name is Charlotte. I have worked within a childcare setting for a few years. I am NVQ level 3 qualified.

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.

Kirstie Lang

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

Elisha Roberts

My name is Elisha, I am from North Wales, but moved here permanently after studying in
university, I studied Early Childhood at Liverpool Hope and graduated with a 2:1, I have worked in Early Years for over 6 years in between college and university, which I have thoroughly enjoyed and plan to continue working in this sector.

Bethany Unsworth

I am a BA (hons) graduate in Children’s, Schools and Families with over 5 years’ experience working within Early Years settings.

Kay Cameron

My name is Kay, I am level 6 qualified after completing a BA with Honours in Education (Early Childhood) at Liverpool Hope University, I have over 7 years’ experience in childcare in various ages.

Hannah Williams

I am a qualified level 3 Nursery Practitioner; I have worked in Early years since 2014.

Sophie Barlow

I am a fully qualified level 3 practitioner; I have worked in childcare since 2013.

Lydia Benfield

My name is Lydia, I am qualified level 2, I enjoy working with children as I love to watch them learn.

Olivia Reed

Hi, my name is Olivia, I am a level 3 qualified practitioner, I enjoy working with children as I love to see their progress and how they develop their learning through play.

Emma Eborn

I am level 3 qualified; I enjoy working with children because I love the way a child’s mind works and love watching them work out how to achieve goals.

Emma Vaughan

I have a Level 3 in Children’s core learning and development, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies and a master’s in international education. I have been working with children for over 10 years, I have always enjoyed helping children reach their full potential.

Josie Mott

I have a first in Early Childhood studies and completed my PGCE, I love working in pre-school room and helping the children get ready for ‘big school!’

Michelle Vandenbos

I work alongside staff in the pre-school rooms, I am married and have 2 grown up children.

Rebekah Weekes

I am a qualified level 3 practitioner; I have worked in childcare for over 6 years. I enjoy spending my free time with family and friends.

Lauren Whittle

I am a level 2 qualified practitioner; I enjoy working with children and watching them grow and learn.

Karen Taylor

I am the cook at Elm House Day Nursery, I have worked in Nurseries as a cook for many years and gained a lot of experience, I enjoy making nutritional meals for the children.

Elm House West Derby

Patricia Cullen

Hi, my name is Tricia and I am the manager at Elm House West Derby Nursery, I have a passion for working with children and giving all children the best opportunities in life. I am qualified level 5 in Management, I have worked in childcare for over 12 years.

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.

Maria Founds

My name is Maria. I am the responsible person in Elm House Day Nursery West Derby. I have worked here for over 7 years. 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 over 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 over 18 years. I am very passionate about my job and enjoy working with all age groups. I currently work alongside Ciara in Explores Room.

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.

Sarah Chandler

My name is Sarah. I am a qualified level 3 practitioner.

Collette Drew

My name is Collette I hold an NNEB qualification. I have worked with children for over 30 years, I am deeply passionate in seeing children progress and extend their learning through play with support from myself in whatever way that child needs.

Elm House Gateacre

Emma Mullin

Hi, my name is Emma, and I am the Nursery Manager here at Elm House Day Nursery Gateacre. I have over ten years Early Years’ experience, working my way up from a student to the position I am in now. I am first aid trained and also the designated safeguard lead trained and hold a level 6 and Early Years Teacher Status Qualification.

Faye

My name is Faye, I have over two years experience working with children and I am currently working towards my NVQ Level 3. I am first aid and safeguarding trained and I love to see the children grow and develop in Nursery.

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