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
First Aid Trained? Yes
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
First Aid Trained? Yes
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
First Aid Trained? Yes
Lana Smith
Title: SENCO & Communication Lead
Education: Level 3 Early Years. Training towards Early Years Teacher status. SENCO trained
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2017
First Aid Trained? Yes
Bethany Harrold
Title: Baby Room Leader
Education: Working towards BA (Hons) early childhood studies
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2017
First Aid Trained? Yes
Kelsey Dann
Title: Baby Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
First Aid Trained? Yes
Sophie Hickman
Title: Baby Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 2 Early Years, working towards Level 3
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
First Aid Trained? Yes
Macey Barnes
Title: Baby Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
First Aid Trained? Yes
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
First Aid Trained? Yes
Joanne Crease
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 1999
First Aid Trained? Yes
Sally Scrurell
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2020
First Aid Trained? Yes
Sophie Howard
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2019
First Aid Trained? Yes
Jasmine Rippin
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2021
First Aid Trained? Yes
Abi Maurizi
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2024
First Aid Trained? Yes
Lucy Arnold
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2017
First Aid Trained? No
Beth Barnes
Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse (currently on maternity leave)
Education: Training towards Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
First Aid Trained? Yes
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
First Aid Trained? Yes
Vicki Donegan
Title: Tweenies Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
First Aid Trained? Yes
Karen Beetle
Title: Tweenies Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2024
First Aid Trained? Yes
Vacant
Title: Tweenies Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2024
First Aid Trained? Yes
Ami Ashdown–Bowles
Title: Pre-School Room Leader
Education: Level 4 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2021
First Aid Trained? Yes
Joanne Tye
Title: Pre-School Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2001
First Aid Trained? Yes
Valeriia Prolupenko
Title: Pre-school Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Training towards Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
First Aid Trained? Yes
Chloe Bradford
Title: Pre-School Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2023
First Aid Trained? Yes
Holly Thrope
Title: Pre-School Room Nursery Nurse
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2024
First Aid Trained? Yes
Ellie Toomey
Title: Pre School Room Nursery Nurse (currently on maternity leave)
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
First Aid Trained? Yes
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
First Aid Trained? Yes
Ebony Howard
Title: After School Club
Education: Unqualified
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2024
First Aid Trained? Yes
Rye Macfarlane
Title: Forest School
Education: Level 3 Early Years plus Level 3 Forest school
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2019
First Aid Trained? Yes
Katie Freestone
Title: Forest School
Education: Unqualified
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2024
First Aid Trained? Yes
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
First Aid Trained? Yes
Samantha Dunkley
Title: Forest School
Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2023
First Aid Trained? Yes
Lorraine Howard
Title: After School Club Nursery Nurse
Education: Level 2 Early Years
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2017
First Aid Trained? Yes
Sue Storey
Title: Cook
Education: Level 2 Catering & Food allergies
Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022
First Aid Trained? Yes