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

Karen Beetle

Title: Baby Room Nursery Nurse

Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years

Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2024

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

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

Valeriia Prolupenko

Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse

Education: Training towards Level 2 Early Years

Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022

First Aid Trained? Yes

Olivia Kessel

Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse

Education: Level 3 Early Years

Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2022

First Aid Trained? Yes

Charlotte Saunders

Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse

Education: Working towards Level 3 Early Years

Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2023

First Aid Trained? Yes

Beth Barnes

Title: Toddler Room Nursery Nurse

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

Sophie Howard

Title: Tweenies Room Nursery Nurse

Education: Level 3 Early Years

Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2019

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

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

First Aid Trained? Yes

Lucy Arnold

Title: Tweenies Room Nursery Nurse

Education: Level 3 Early Years

Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2017

First Aid Trained? No

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

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

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

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

First Aid Trained? Yes

Bethany Wheatcroft

Title: Pre-School Room Nursery Nurse

Education: Level 3 Early Years

Time at Castle Lane: Worked at the nursery since 2021

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? No

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? No

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