The children are cared for by qualified/experienced staff who have been chosen for their genuine warmth and obvious rapport with children. We offer a good staff /child ratio with three/four members of staff being on hand to care for the sixteen children at the nursery.

Karen is a qualified Speech and Language Therapist who worked for Wigan and Leigh NHS trust for over ten years before setting up the nursery.

Karen has two children a son aged 8 years and a daughter aged 3 years.

She understands how important it is to find good quality childcare and is committed to providing a service of very high standards.

Karen organises regular staff meetings to discuss new ideas and developments and encourages staff to attend the excellent training sessions organised by Sefton Early Years Department.

She firmly believes that the recruitment and retention of intelligent, enthusiastic and caring members of staff is the most important factor in providing good quality care and education.

Karen is responsible for co-ordinating the Sheffield Quality Kitemark at the nursery – a scheme that involves producing a detailed portfolio of evidence about good practice at the nursery.

The nursery portfolio was shown as evidence of good practice at the Sefton Early Years Annual General Meeting.

Karen also takes a very active role in the nursery, covering for all staff absences and providing extra support in the playrooms when required eg. when a new child starts or for a child with Special Educational Needs.

Katie has a BTEC National Diploma in childhood studies and has also achieved an NVQ level 3 in Customer Service.

Katie has been the Deputy Manager at the nursery since February 2000.

In addition to working with the children, Katie plays a major role in the running of the nursery eg. showing parents around, organising resources, supporting students, discussing any plans with parents, planning the curriculum etc.

She is responsible for ensuring that the high standards in the nursery are maintained at all times.

Katie is qualified in first aid and has a basic food hygiene certificate.

She has also attended courses on child protection, working with parents, the early learning goals and curriculum planning.

Dana has an NVQ level 3 in childcare and education and additional qualifications in music. She has a very creative approach to her work planning hands on activities and incorporating music whenever possible.

She has been working at Bright Eyes since April 2001 and prior to this worked for five years at a London nursery.

Dana is the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator at the nursery – she is involved in liaison with visiting professionals eg. Speech Therapist, Early Years Teachers etc and in helping to ensure their advice is followed for the children who have special needs at the nursery.

Dana is qualified in first aid and has attended a basic food hygiene course.

She has also attended a training course on emergent writing skills and on working with the Early Learning Goals.

Liz has been working at the nursery on a part-time basis since May 1999.

During her time here Liz has been keen to gain qualifications in childcare and has successfully completed her NVQ level 2. She is currently working on her NVQ level 3. Liz has also attended a detailed creative play course.

Liz is involved in all areas of nursery life, she has a bright, cheerful approach to her work and the children warm to her very quickly.

Liz has attended a basic food hygiene course and she takes responsibility for organising and planning baking activities at the nursery.

She has also attended courses including writing curriculum plans and technology for tots.

Christine has been employed on a part-time basis at Bright Eyes Nursery since February 2000.

Christine has two young daughters and as a very busy mum, she has not yet had the time to complete any childcare qualifications.

She hopes to enroll on an NVQ course as soon as possible.

Christine has a caring, sensible approach and quickly establishes good relationships with both our children and their parents.

Christine has attended many short courses including technology for tots, setting up an effective role play corner, managing children’s behaviour, writing long and short term plans and developing creative play.

Laura has been employed as a full-time nursery nurse at Bright Eyes since February 2002.

Laura has an NNEB in Childhood studies and also a Special Needs Certificate.

Laura is our newest team member and moved here from a much larger local nursery. She enjoys the opportunity to work with smaller groups of children.

Laura is involved in all aspects of the nursery – planning, talking to parents, carrying out play activities with the children etc. Laura is trained in first aid and has her basic food hygiene certificate.