Staff Profile

I qualified from Blackburn College in 1997 with an NNEB diploma in Nursery Nursing. I went straight into working at the private nursery in Clitheroe where I had trained, staying for a year. I then worked at a nursery in Blackburn for a few months before being asked to become a nanny for a family linked to my previous setting. Following this I had seven happy years nannying for a few more families, with children ranging from newborn to 8 years.

From December 2006 I got the exciting opportunity to do a season of childcare in the French Alps for 'Crystal Finest' working both in a hotel creche and nannying in private chalets. On my return to England in May 2007 I decided to have a career change, working in the hotel industry until meeting my husband. Following our wedding my natural instincts for childcare returned and I had a further two nannying jobs before taking a break to raise our two young sons. They both attended Brougham Street Nursery School and thrived brilliantly so I was delighted when the opportunity arose for me to join the team at the setting. It is a brilliant environment to work in with an amazing range of activities to access.

My spare time when not at work is quite often child oriented too! Apart from playing lots of games with our children and reading, I usually spend 3 afternoons a week volunteering at our children's school - either working in the library or listening to readers. I am also vice chairperson of the school PTA. I volunteer at Martin House Skipton Shop, which raises funds for a local children's hospice. I am on the executive committee for a local scouting group and help to run a monthly children's church service at Holy Trinity Church in Skipton.

My thrill at seeing young children develop in all areas - socially, physically, mentally and emotionally has never diminished and I honestly don't think there is a better job in the world. I never get bored of seeing children face new challenges, and watching them grow as they learn to problem solve and develop bonds with their peers. I always hope that somewhere in each of the children I have had the privilege to care for is a little spark of 'something' that I helped to create.