Who we are
At Castle Lane Day nursery, all staff are qualified first aiders and this is updated every 2 years. All staff have completed their safeguarding qualification and on-going training is provided to everyone, to ensure that their knowledge stays fresh.
The staff at Castle Lane are committed to ensuring that your child develops in a safe and stimulating environment.
All staff are supported to progress onto the next level with training and we currently have a number of staff who are completing both their level 3 qualification and level 4 management qualification. We currently employ 2 staff holding a degree in early childhood and a member of staff who has completed her Early Years Teacher Status.
The staff team are an enthusiastic and dedicated team, who will support both child and parent to reach their full potential. Staff receive regular training opportunities to widen and develop their knowledge in child development.
Harriet Gray
Title: Co-Owner/Manager
Role: Supporting staff development, training and ensuring a strong delivery of the EYFS
Education: Early Childhood Studies (BA HONS) and Early Years Teacher Status, Level 3 Forest School
Time at Castle Lane: Owned the nursery since 2011
Vikki Gamble
Title: Co-Owner/Manager
Role: Working with parents and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Education: Level 3 in office management. Level 3 in Play work. Adult Mental Health First Aider.
Time at Castle Lane: Owner since 2011 but has worked within the setting for since 2008
Hayley Sharman
Title: Manager and Funding Co-coordinator
Education: Training towards Level 5 Early Years, Level 5 in Management & Leadership, SENCO trained
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2017
Lana Smith
Title: SENCO & Communication Lead
Education: Level 3 Early Years. Training towards foundation degree in integrated working with families and early years. SENCO trained
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2017
Bethany Harrold
Title: Baby Room Leader
Education: Working towards BA (Hons) early childhood studies
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2017
Kelsey Dann
Title: Baby Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Sophie Hickman
Title: Baby Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Macey Barnes
Title: Baby Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Karen Beetle
Title: Baby Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2024
Amy Werdekker
Title: Toddler Room Leader
Education: Amy is a qualified nurse. Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2020
Joanne Crease
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 1999
Sally Scrurell
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2020
Jasmine Rippin
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2021
Valeriia Prolupenko
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Training towards Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Olivia Kessel
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Beth Barnes
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Training towards Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Megan Taylor
Title: Tweenie Room Leader/2 year check co-coordinator
Education: Level 3 Early Years, Level 2 in Management, ELKLAN, studying for BA (Hons) Early childhood
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2013
Sophie Howard
Title: Tweenies Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 2 Early Years, Training towards Level 3
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2019
Vicki Donegan
Title: Tweenies Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Training towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Chloe Patterson
Title: Tweenies Room Nursery Nurse (maternity leave)
Education: Taining towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Charlotte Saunders
Title: Tweenies Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2023
Ami Ashdown–Bowles
Title: Pre-School Room Leader
Education: Level 4 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2021
Chloe Bradford
Title: Pre-School Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2023
Joanne Tye
Title: Pre-School Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2001
Ellie Toomey
Title: Pre School Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Bethany Wheatcroft
Title: Pre-School Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2021
Maxine Davenport
Title: After School Club Room Leader
Education: Wealth of experiences in primary schools
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2016
Lorraine Howard
Title: After School Club Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2017
Mandy Hiron
Title: After School Club
Education: Unqualified
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2019
Samantha Dunkley
Title: Forest School
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2023
Rye Macfarlane
Title: Forest School
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years plus Level 3 Forest school
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2019
Loretta Osborne
Title: Forest School & After School Club
Education: Level 3 Early Years, working towards Level 3 Forest School
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
Katie Freestone
Title: Forest School
Education: Unqualified
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2024
Sue Storey
Title: Cook
Education: Level 2 Catering & Food allergies
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022