Meet the staff at our Nurture Nursery

Our staff are passionate and committed to ensuring a fantastic early experience for all children who attend our setting, please read their stories.

 

All of our staff are recruited using Warwickshire Safeguarding Children's Board Safer Recruitment Procedures. A DBS and up to date references are always completed prior to the staff member beginning their employment here at St. Michael's Nurture Nursery

ALL staff undergo a thorough induction prior to commencing employment.

 

When a child starts Nurture Nursery they will be allocated a key person. This is a named practitioner who has responsibilities for a small group of children, they are there to help the child feel safe and secure. The key person role is very important for both child and parent and it is an approach set out in the EYFS. The key person will respond to the children’s needs and support them throughout their time in Nurture Nursery. Communication between parent and the key person is paramount as these discussions hold key information about the child, including their interests, development, learning, progress and home circumstances. The key person is the first point of contact for parents and carers.

 

Joanne Burridge

Early Years Lead

 

I manage the day to day running of St. Michael's Nurture Nursery and coordinate the  Children and Family Centre early years services. I am also the Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCo), Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and person responsible for Children Looked After.

 

I have worked in early years for many years and have undertaken a variety of different roles including registered childminder and a child development advisor at the Child Development Service (part of the Integrated Disability Service). I have also worked in schools and other Children's Centres across Coventry, Warwickshire and Leicestershire.

 

I really enjoy working in early years and I want EVERY child to have access to a high quality education, regardless of their background. I ensure every child who attends our Nurture Nursery has the best possible start and a wealth of opportunities to learn and develop through play. I strongly believe families should be fully involved with their child's learning and development.

 

The best part of my job is working the children, families and staff here at St. Michael's and watching them learn, develop and succeed.

Jill Krusts

Children and Family Centre Manager

 

I am the manager here at the Children and Family Centre and the Ofsted 'registered person' for Nurture Nursery. As the registered person I have the overall responsibility for the childcare services and responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are met. I am also a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

 

 

 

Tracey Evans

Senior Early Years Educator

Responsibilities: SEND, Early Years Pupil Premium and Play Champion

 

Since leaving college 17 years ago with an NVQ Level 4, I have always worked with children. I started my journey at a Private Day Nursery, working with children between 6 weeks and 4 years, working as a Room Supervisor in the Toddler Room. After being made redundant, I got the job at St. Michael’s and never looked back!

 

My role at St. Michael’s has seen me work in the School Nursery, stay and plays and creches. However, I now work full time in the Nurture Nursery, leading on the day to day

running of each session.

 

I thoroughly enjoy my job, seeing our children come into our Nursery for the first time, needing support and encouragement and watch them grow into independent and confident 3-year olds, ready to take on the next chapter in their lives is magical. Knowing I have had a helping hand in their future success fills me with immense pride.

Jade Croft

Senior Early Years Educator

Responsibilities: Lead in Early Year's Lead absence, Mathematics Lead and Parent Champion 

I am a Senior Early Years Educator here at St. Michael's Nurture Nursery

At aged 17 years old I started an apprenticeship at a private day care nursery and completed my NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and an NVQ level 2 in Team Leading.

 

Whilst working there I was a nursery practitioner, I then moved to a larger private day nursery, where I started off as a nursery practitioner working with children from age 4 months to 4 years, during my time here I became a room leader and progressed to a Deputy Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead.  

 

I began working St. Michael's Children and Family Centre in May 2023, my first role was an Early Years Family Practitioner which I thoroughly enjoyed, I then moved into Nurture Nursery in March 2024.

 

The best part of my job is working with the children and their families, supporting them to develop and making a difference to their early development, ensuring all their needs are met.

I also get great job satisfaction by providing an exciting and stimulating learning environment which ignites children's curiosity. 

Zoe Tomkins

Senior Early Years Educator

Responsibilities: Speech and Language Champion, Core Book Approach and Outdoor Play

 

In November 2019 I began working at St. Michael’s Children and Family Centre as a volunteer where I supported the weekly Stay & Play sessions. I wanted to volunteer for two reasons; one was to gain some more experience working with children to support my childcare studies and the other reason was because I wanted to give something back to the Centre for the amazing work that I saw as a parent.

 

I hold a Level 1 Award in Caring for Children, and a Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner qualifications.

In September 2022 I completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification and secured a role of Early Years Educator within the Nurture Nursery, in January 2025 I was promoted to a Senior Early Years Educator.

 

I thoroughly enjoy working at St. Michael’s Children and Family Centre, where I am part of an amazing and supportive team of people who have various experience within their roles. I have a passion for supporting children with their learning and development through play, and really enjoy watching how they reach their full potential whilst in Nurture Nursery and beyond.

Marie Dodd

Early Years Educator

 

 

I am NVQ level 3 qualified and I have worked at St. Michael’s for many years. Previously I worked at Bedworth Heath Nursery and as a registered Childminder - so all in all I have been working in early years for over 20yrs!!

 

For me the most important part of my role is making a difference to our families, giving them opportunities they wouldn’t have and seeing the children make progress, flourish and grow.

Daisy Batt

Early Years Practitioner

 

 

I started my journey at St. Michael's Nurture Nursery  in 2023. Prior to this I had worked in private day nurseries. I currently work in both the 2 and 3 year old rooms. My favourite part about my role is watching the growth from when a child starts in the 2 year old room to developing into a confident and capable 3 year old - the transformation is amazing!

 

I am passionate about giving the children who attend our setting the best opportunities and the chance to experience new activities and challenges within their daily nursery life. 

Catherine Matthews

Casual Playworker

 

I am a casual playworker in Nurture Nursery.

 

I started my journey at St. Michael’s by attended a level 1 childcare course. This gave me the opportunity to achieve a level 1 Award in Caring for Children and then a level 2 Certificate

 for Children and Young People.

 

I really enjoy working in Nurture Nursery, supporting the children with their learning and development through play. I feel incredibly lucky to have such an amazing job.