Meet the Team

Meet the Appletree Nursery Team!

At Appletree Childcare we have a mature, well established team, many of which have been with us since we first opened in 1994. We believe in working within the community, promoting personal development and allowing our staff to have a positive work-life balance. Most of our team have flexible contracts, which in turn allows us to offer flexible childcare.

Our team are well experienced and have qualifications covering Childcare, Playwork, First Aid, Food Hygiene, Safeguarding and regularly attend training courses.

Many of our staff are involved in the charity outside of their work time, as Trustees, fundraisers and helping out with projects.

Hello

My name is Janet Parkin and I am the manager at Appletree Childcare.

Appletree opened in September 1994, and since then I have had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of wonderful children and their lovely parents and carers. It should be noted that we have the very best children at Appletree!

There have been lots of changes in childcare over the years and sadly theses changes have taken me away from the children and their families, but I insist that my office is in the nursery so that the children can come and visit me – this is the best part of my job.

Since opening it has, and continues to be a pleasure to work with our wonderful staff team, who are not only skilled in all aspects of childcare, they always have the children and their families needs at heart.

Please come and say hi

Hi my name is Lucie

I joined the Appletree team as supply staff in November 2012 after a career change from the ambulance service. I was pregnant at the time with my little boy and worked through all of the Appletree settings covering holidays and staff absence. During this timer I completed my NVQ level 3 in childcare and became a permanent member of staff.

I was then able to work as Co-ordinator for our holiday and after school club, as well as making my way through all of the rooms in the nursery.

I am now the Room Leader in our preschool room. I work with an amazing team of ladies and find it so rewarding spending my days with our wonderful children.

Hi, my name is Holly

I am the Room Leader in Blossoming Braeburns. I joined the Appletree team in 2018 as a lunch time supervisor and enjoyed working with the children so  much that I became a nursery nurse and completed my NVQ Level 3 in Childcare.

I have worked in Pippins and Braeburns and really enjoy watching the children grow and develop, learning new things every day.

I have my own children who have all attended Appletree nursery, After School Club and Holiday Club.

Hi, my name is Laura

I came to Appletree straight from school to do my childcare qualifications. After several years I moved to work in a Children’s Centre specialising in Special Educational Needs, but after I had my youngest child I returned to Appletree, firstly on a supply basis across all of our rooms, then working my way up to manage Braeburns and now the baby room. I have recently gained a formal qualification in Special Educational needs and am the SENCO at Appletree.

All of my children have attended Appletree as babies, right through to the Breakfast, After School and Holiday Clubs.

Hi, my name is Gayle 

I am Assistant Manager at Appletree. I have worked here since 1994, just a few weeks after our nursery first opened. I have had many roles during this time and have worked with all age groups, from babies right up to 11 year olds. I have NVQ level 3 qualifications in Childcare & Education, and Playwork.

In 2000 I started up our first After School Club and have continued to oversea the ‘Out of School’ side of Appletree ever since then. I work mainly in the office but still love to go and work with the children whenever possible.

I have 3 children of my own, who have all attended nursery and holiday club from being babies to leaving primary school.

Hi, my name is Nicola

I started to work at Appletree Breakfast and After school club in 2008, and before long I joined the nursery team, working in Pippins and taking my Level 3 NVQ in Childcare.

I progressed and became the baby room manager for several years, before taking on more of a management role and I now work as HR support. I continue to enjoy working with the children and provide extra support in our Holiday Club during the school holidays.

Hi, my name is Barbara.

I started working here in 1995, initially as a student on placement, then I worked on supply until I gained my qualification (NNEB/CACHE Level 3). I took on a permanent contract in 1998, working part time until my own children were older, now I work full time.

My role is varied, I work in Breakfast club and After school club, holiday playcare, with the babies, 2 year olds and also the 3-4 year olds. My main role in nursery now is SENCO support , helping children with special educational needs and over the years I have had the pleasure of supporting many children and families with a wide variety of needs.

Highest Qualification: Cache Level 3 in Early Years.

Hello, my name is Mel

I am the finance manager at Appletree Childcare.

I joined Appletree as a part time admin assistant in September 2012 but my role has steadily grown and today I oversee all financial matters.

During my time here I have completed my NVQ level 3 in Early Years and have worked as Co-ordinator at Grenoside After School club.

I live locally and both of my sons (now grown up) attended nursery.

Hello, my name is Steph

I first came to Appletree whilst I was on placement from college doing my NVQ level 3 Early Years qualification. Once I had finished my course I started to work supply and I then took on a maternity contract.

I now have my own young child and work part time in Preschool Pippins.

I am also involved in marketing and I am on the Health & Safety team

Hi, my name is Jane.

I joined the Appletree team 10 years ago as a volunteer after taking a break from Nursing to care for my children. I volunteered running the local Church Playgroup and at Appletree before becoming part of the team.

I am now the After School Club Coordinator, managing the day to day running of the Grenoside Club which I thoroughly enjoy. Each day is different, all the children are individuals and its great to get to know them and see them develop through their school life. I am also the Resource Manager which means I am responsible for buying everything Appletree needs to run its Nursery and Clubs. I have gained many qualifications in Childcare and Appletree continually encourage me to progress and develop.

Highest Qualification: NVQ 3 in Childcare and Qualified Nurse.