Andrea Clarke holds a qualified BA (HONS) degree in Early childhood education and for the Early Years Professional Status in child education at Derby University
Andrea is also qualified N.N.E.B with several years’ experience in the childcare industry. Upon qualifying in 1991 she was employed by Derbyshire County Council as a crèche supervisor, this involved setting up and running care sessions at various venues throughout the county, her duties included, transporting equipment, setting up facilities and caring for children from 6 weeks to 4 years.
Within 6 months, Andrea began to work alongside a child with special needs during his day at nursery, offering help and support.
In 1992 Andrea began to work as a Nursery Nurse on the children’s ward at chesterfield Royal Hospital, this role involves setting up play activities for children who are staying in hospital. Preparation is involved to help ease anxieties about hospital admission also distraction for invasive procedures. This role also involved setting up play programmes and conducting developmental assessments.
In 1997 she undertook a one-year’s course and qualified with a B Tech to become a play specialist. In June 2000 she was awarded a city and guilds in tutor training, successfully passing stages 1& 2.
In 2004 she qualified to NVQ level 3 in management.
Andrea feels it is especially important to keep herself updated and is regularly re-educating herself. She has a wealth of experience with a variety of children from birth to sixteen years with differing needs at all stages of development. As a Nursery Manager Andrea will be actively involved in encouraging all staff to increase their knowledge and skills and assisting all students to gain a recognised childcare qualification.
Andrea holds a full and relevant paediatric first aid certificate.
Sandra Wragg joined little acorns in 2002, she has qualified to B Tech Level 3 in Management and in 2009 undertook CACHE Level 3 in early year’s foundation stage practice, and finally qualified at level 5 in 2021 after completing a higher education apprenticeship course
Sandra’s existing knowledge of little Acorn’s policies, procedures, and childcare practices, ensure that she is the ideal person to support the deputy Manager and other staff members in her role as nursery acting Manager.
In 2011 Sandra began studying at open learning to achieve a level 4 in early years in 2012.
In 2012 Sandra began studying ECAT (Every Child’s a Talker) and holds the title of ELLP meaning Early Language Lead Practitioner.
Sandra’s role is to provide a professional leadership and management of the nursery, helping to ensure that all children receive the highest standard or care and education. In the absence of the nursery manager, the deputy will undertake the overall day to day management of the nursery.
Sandra holds a full and relevant paediatric first aid certificate.
Suzanne Millward joined Little Acorns as a level 2 student on training from chesterfield college but qualified at level 5 in September 2021 after completing a higher education apprenticeship course.
Suzanne’s first role as a nursery nurse was working with children aged 3 months - 3 years after much experience and continuous hard work Suzanne moved into the preschool room in 2009 working with children aged 2 ½ years – 5years as a nursery nurse. During her time at little acorns suzanne also gained qualifications at level 3 and 4.
Suzanne’s role has changed from preschool coordinator to office manager, her role is essential to ensure the smooth running of the office on a day-to-day basis by managing the administration activities, organising information to ensure records are up to date, Suzanne has lots of knowledge about government funding and nursery finances such as fees.
Suzanne holds a full and relevant paediatric first aid certificate.
Amanda Chapman is a qualified NVQ Level 4, initially Amanda started in 2002 in an auxiliary role and whilst observing the staff and children at Little Acorns, she decided she would like a career in childcare and studied for 18 months to successfully achieve her goal.
Amanda initially started working with children aged 3months – 3 years as a nursery nurse.
Amanda’s first role as a nursery nurse was working with children ages 3 months to 3 years, and through dedication and hard work continuously attending training to increase her childcare knowledge she attained position of senior and began supporting staff and children in this role in our pre-school with 3 and 4 year olds. In 2010 Amanda became the toddler room senior organising the daily running of the room and working with children age 18mths to 2 ½ years, she now works within the preschool room. Amanda began studying at Derby University for a foundation degree in early childhood studies and is qualified to level 4 standards.
Amanda’s role is to coordinate the preschool room providing regular education programmes and services such as developing planning and committed to sustaining a high-quality childcare and partnerships between families and staff. Amanda role is to ensure the nursery runs to a high standard in the event of the manager and deputy being off site.
Amanda holds a full and relevant paediatric first aid certificate.
Claire Storer initially started in 2002 as a student on training from Age UK. On August 16th, 2006, Claire achieved her CACHE Level 3 Diploma in early years practice and has since gone on to qualify at level 4.
Claire initially started working with children aged 2-3 years and when she qualified, she moved on to work with children from 3months – 2 years working with the baby den.
Claire offers a warm and caring approach with extensive knowledge on babies’ development. Claire has developed skills through training on babies from birth to 1 years and is able to plan and organise suitable programmes of activities for younger children. Claire’s role is to coordinate and provide regular education programmes and services such as developing play and learning activities within the EYFS, planning and committed to sustaining a high-quality childcare and partnerships between families and staff.
Claire holds a full and relevant paediatric first aid certificate.
Sandra is the deputy manager and leads the baby/toddler Room.
Danielle studied at the university of Derby and was awarded with a degree in Bachelor of art in Early childhood studies in June 2018. Danielle started working at Little Acorns in October 2019 within the Baby/toddler room. Danielle holds a full paediatric first aid certificate.
Danielle is enjoying her time at Little Acorns, teaching, and learning the children and getting to know everyone.
Emily joined Little Acorns February 2021.
Emily is enjoying teaching and learning young children within the baby and toddler playroom.
Emily holds a level 3 Nursery Educator certificate. Emily is very happy to successfully become part of our Little Acorns team.
Emily is looking forward to meeting your family.
Emily holds a full and relevant paediatric first aid certificate.
Bethany joined Little acorns in 2022 when she qualified at level 3 from Chesterfield college.
Bethany has been eager to put her new qualification into practice within the baby/toddler room of the nursery.
Bethany has already built up some great relationships with the children and her team and is looking forward to continuing to develop her experiences over time.
Ellie joined Little acorns in July 2023. Ellie has many years experience working with young children. Ellie is looking forward to working alongside the team to help your children grow and develop new skills during thier time at little acorns.
Ellie is first aid trained.
Cameron joined Little Acorns as a qualified staff member in June 2023 after previosuly attending placement whilst training.
Cameron is enjoying building his knowledge and experience within the early years sector whilst working alongside the toddler children.
Cameron is first aid trained.
Laura Joined Little Acorns in February 2024 after returing to the sector since having her own children.
Laura has a wealth of experience working within day nurseries over the years and is looking forward to getting back into that role.
Kalise joined Little Acorns in December 2020 whilst studying NVQ Level 2 childcare at chesterfield college, qualifying at level 2 in July 2022.
Kalise is currently studying level 3 childcare with chesterfield college.
Kalise feels proud to have the opportunity to work within the nursery as an apprentice.
Kalise feels the children are amazing to work with and is inspired every day to provide them with quality teaching opportunities to help support thier learning and development.
Kalise holds a full and relevant paediatric first aid certificate.
Chantelle joined Little acorns in January 2023 as an apprentice within the preschool room. SInce then she has moved into the baby/toddler area to gain some knowledge and experience with younger children.
Chantelle is looking forward to starting her childcare career and learning new skills and knowledge to help her progress along the way. Chantelle is eager to learn a range of new skills which will help support her apprenticeship progression.
Chantelle is first aid trained.
Emily joined Little acorns in April 2023 when she signed up for a level 2 apprinticeship in childcare.
Emily feels that childcare is her passion and hopes for a long career within in the sector,
Emily is first aid trained.
Amanda leads the preschool room alongside Claire.
Claire leads the preschool room alongside Amanda.
Alicia holds a level 3 qualification in childcare and education. Alicia has always enjoyed working with children and knew from a young age that childcare is what she wanted to do as a career. Alicia began hee career at Little Acorns in April 2019 working within the baby and toddler room and has now joined the Preschool team in June 202. Alicia is really enjoying working with this agegroup of children. Alicia is fully trained first aider and has kept updated on training regarding the changes to the EYFS.
Melody started Little Acorns on the July 2019, she gained her qualification on the 11/07/2019 after completing level 3 DIPLOMA in childcare and education studies at chesterfield collage. Melody was excited and overwhelmed to become part of the Little Acorns family. Melody originally started within the baby and toddler room and became a key person. On the 1st of June 2020 Melody was offered a new and exciting change to moved into the Preschool room this has helped her to learn new skills and gave her more confidence along the way. Melody can not wait to me you and your family.
Melody holds a full and relevant paediatric first aid certificate.
Amber is level 3 qualified with several years of experience working wihtin the early years sector.
Amber joined the preschool team in April 2023 after a short break from the nursery.
Amber holds a full Paediatric first aid certificate.
Amber is looking forward to teaching the preschool children new skills in prepatation for reception.
Alina joined Little acorns in September 2023 as an apprentice within the preschool room.
Alina is qualified level 2 childcare in 2023 and felt she wanted to be in the nursery full time rather than once a week and decided to pursue an apprenticeship.
Alina is looking forward to starting her childcare career and learning new skills and knowledge to help her progress along the way.
Rebecca joined the little acorns team in january 2024 as a level 2 nursery apprentice.
Rebecca will carry out her apprenticeship whilst working in the preschool room learning new and valuable skills that will enable her to become an effective practitioner once she qualifies.
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