MEET THE STAFF
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 Coordinator
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) and a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
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
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! I have now been working
here for 11 fantastic years!
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.
Marie Dodd
Early Years Educator
I have worked at St. Michael’s for 16 1/2 years. I previously at Bedworth Heath Nursery and as a registered Childminder - so all in all I have been working in early years for around 20yrs!!
I am qualified to NVQ Level 3 and I am a Time to Talk Champion.
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.
Kayleigh Earp
Early Years Educator
I started working at St Michael's when my youngest son was attending school nursery 12 years ago. During my time here I have worked as a casual playworker, in stay and play and creche sessions and also had a family support role. After completing my NVQ level 3 in Early Years I became a full time Early Years Educator in the Nurture Nursery.
My reason for remaining in early years at St. Michael's for so long is my passion for making a difference to our children and their families. It is a very reassuring feeling knowing that I can make an impact on peoples lives and it is amazing to see the children develop and flourish during their time in Nurture Nursery. Not to mention the fact that there is never a dull day when you work with children, my day is just full of fun and laughter, there is no better job!
Zoe Tomkins
Early Years Educator
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.
More recently I completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification (September 2022) and have secured a role of Early Years Educator within the Nurture Nursery.
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.
Rhiannon Carberry
Early Years Educator
I have worked in Early Years for 11 years. I started as an apprentice at a day nursery whilst studying for my NVQ level 2 and 3. In more recent years I have achieved a degree in Early Childhood Development.
I started working at St Michael's in 2019 in the Nurture Nursery and now I lead the stay and play sessions, baby groups and singing groups around the local area. The most rewarding part of my job is building up close relationships with children and their families and being able to watch them take part in new experiences that we provide.
Joanne Thomas
Early Years Educator
I have been employed by St Michael's Children and Family Centre since September 2020. My role involves delivering outreach sessions and I also work in Nurture Nursery.
I have supported children and families for many years in a variety of diverse roles including unit leader working with homeless children in New York, creche manager for a holiday company in Austria and providing respite care for children with severe and life limiting disabilities. I also worked in child protection for several years as a Family Support Worker, undertaking direct therapeutic sessions and advocacy work with children. In my previous role I was a Special Needs and Disabilities Coordinator and Speech and Language Champion, which I thoroughly enjoyed as I am passionate about giving ALL children the best possible start. I have also completed further SEND studies: 'Understanding Autism'
I currently work part-time at St. Michael's Children and Family Centre alongside teaching yoga in a variety of settings in the community, including nurseries and schools. I am passionate about supporting well-being and mental health and I am currently studying for a qualification: 'Understanding and Supporting Children and Young People's Mental Health'
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.
Zoe Tomkins
Early Years Educator
I began working at St. Michael’s Children and Family Centre in November 2019 as a volunteer where I supported the Stay & Play sessions each week. 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 currently hold a Level 1 Award in Caring for Children, a Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner qualifications and I am now studying for my Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. I now have the role of Playworker within the Nurture Nursery, which I do alongside my studies. 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 watching how they reach their full potential along their journey at Nurture Nursery.