Our Team
Our Early Years qualified staffing levels enable us to maintain our staff to child ratios at the level of:
• 1:3 – for children aged three months to two years
• 1:5 – for children aged two years to three years
• 1:8 – for children aged three years to five years
When recruiting our staff, we have very thorough checks in place to ensure that your children are safe. All staff are DBS checked, have references followed up and completing online Safeguarding, Food Hygiene and First Aid training is compulsory.
Other training courses are offered to staff throughout the year to ensure that their knowledge and practice is up to the highest standard. We may use bank staff to cover absences if needed and sometimes we have students on placements who work on a voluntary basis to gain work experience, they are all DBS checked and complete induction training. Students are never left unsupervised, and like all staff follow our policies and procedures. We also have a low staff turnover.
Meet the Team
Karen Taft-Sheeran
Owner/Director
I have more than 30 years child care experience and have been an OFSTED registered child minder in Hagley since 1999. Over the years I have cared for scores of children, while looking after my own three children. I have an NVQ 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development and Cordon Bleu Cookery Diploma. I have been on several courses always keen to update my knowledge such as Quality Still Matters, Embedding the EYFS, Safeguarding, first aid and a level 2 in food safety.
Abi Taft-Sheeran
Manager
Abi is Karen and Paul’s daughter and holds a BA (hons) degree in integrated working with children and families. She has worked at the nursery since it started, helping out where she was needed. Like her parents, she has a passion for children and loves working with all the children and is now the Manager of the setting.Davina Wilkes
Third In Charge/Chef
Davina holds a Level 3 in Early Years and Education as well as a cookery diploma. Davina is Third in Charge and plans and provides nutritional meals and snacks and supports the children and staff within all rooms throughout the nursery
Nathan Booker
Pre-School Room Leader/Third In Charge
Nathan joined us an apprentice 4 years ago and has worked his way up to pre-school room leader and third in charge. He is creative and brings lots of enthusiasm to the nursery!
Fran Gilday
Toddler Room Leader
Fran has got her Level 3 in childcare. She has been with us for over 3 years and is now our toddler room leader. She creates wonderful activities for the children and has a real passion for childcare.
Ruth Dunn
Afterschool Club Leader
Ruth runs our afterschool club. She picks up the children from school and plans fun activites for them as well as helping with homework!
Chloe Roden
Nursery Nurse Practitioner
Chloe has completed her Level 2 in Early Years education and is now working towards her Level 3. She works in baby room, creating lots of messy activities for the babies!
Kayleigh Morse
Nursery Apprentice
Kayleigh is undertaking her Level 3 in childcare. She is currently helping out in all rooms to gain knowledge and experience.
Sally Roberts
Nursery Apprentice
Sally started with us volunteering on placement when she was completing her Level 2 at college. When it came to completing her Level 3 she felt an apprenticeship would benefit her more, she is gaining experience in all rooms.
May Felton
Nursery Apprentice
May is currently doing her Level 3 in childcare. She is gaining experience in all areas but is mainly based in baby room alongside Chloe.
Cameren Jones
Nursery Apprentice
Cameren is completing his Level 3 in childcare. He works alongside Nathan in the pre-school room and also in our afterschool club!
Tara Dingley-Moore
Nursery Practitioner Bank
Tara has worked with us for over 8 years. She has reduced her working time to spend more time with family but loves to come back and help when she can. The children and staff love seeing her!