Our Team

Who works at The Culham Science Centre Nursery & Preschool?

Our children spend their time with caring and gentle adults who are fun to be around and who genuinely love being with them. Our nursery staff know all the children really well.  All our staff are well qualified for their role. Everyone is trained in first aid and safeguarding. All our staff are encouraged and supported in further training in general childcare and in more specialised areas such as Special Educational Needs and also in practical skills like food hygiene. 

Nikki

Nikki

Nursery Manager

I've been manager here since 2006. Over time I've created a fantastic, very capable, highly motivated  and supportive senior management team who are all passionate about giving your child the very best standards in childcare. I've overseen the expansion of the nursery to create a whole new purpose built preschool designed to optimise our beautiful setting; and we are constantly innovating and improving what we do - every day I have members of my team coming to me with suggestions for how we can improve things in large and small ways. I'm very proud of the nursery. I'm lucky enough to have an Outstanding team supporting me and Ofsted agreed in their inspections in 2012, 2015 and February 2020!

I love children and have two grown up boys of my own who I adore spending time with. My husband and I love camping with the boys and enjoy keeping fit. I've been known to like the odd glass of wine as my other passion is cooking. I'm a qualified Primary School Teacher as well as an Early Years Professional and have an Advanced Post Graduate Certificate in Education.  

 

Laura

Laura

Nursery Operations Manager

I'm a qualified Nursery Nurse and have worked at the nursery since 2003; I love my job! I joined the nursery as a trainee and over the years have gained valuable experience in all age groups. I have progressed up to my current role where I am passionate about managing and supporting the staff to provide the best development and care for the children. It's fantastic to get to spend my days with such lovely children and a wonderful staff team and I find it very rewarding. Outside of work I love to spend time with my family, especially my young niece and nephew. I'm a huge spectator sport fan and love to go watch live sport such as tennis at the O2, football, athletics and live shows such as Strictly Come Dancing.

Jess

Jess

Lower Preschool 1&2 Senior Room Leader

I've worked with children of all ages from early years through to primary school but have been in early years since 2011 and I'm at my happiest worknig with this age group. I really enjoy creative activities with the children. My own daughter Penelope is also at the nursery here. In my spare time I love to get creative too and particularly enjoy painting. 

Emily

Emily

Wombles Room Leader

I joined the nursery in 2015 as a Trainee Nursery Assistant to learn all about childcare and education. I used to be a quiet and shy member of the team but over the years have gained in confidence and am now known for my sarcasm and humour amongst the staff! I love my job in the setting and have studied really hard to learn all about the development needs of the age of children that I work with.

I have fantastic relationships with my lovely group of children and i'm especially good with understanding the children who need that little bit of encouragement to shine, just like I did.

Karlea

Karlea

Lower Preschool 3 Room Leader

I have been working in childcare for over 14 years now, I have a level 3 qualification currently working towards my level 5 in leadership and management. I have a passion for supporting the children who have additional needs. I have a bubbly and caring character and love spending time with the children for a cuddle, sharing stories or even getting messy in the messy tray with them. Outside of nursery life I am kept busy by spending time with my family, watching my little girl grow and develop, not forgetting the walks with the dogs Fluke and Buster.

Alisha

Alisha

Upper Preschool 1 Junior Room Leader

I have worked here since 2019 when I joined as a trainee nursery assistant and I've worked my way up. Preschool is where I am happiest, I love this age group and and have always worked with this age. I really enjoy ensuring the children are ready for the next step in their lives, when they leave us to go off to school. Outside of work I love spending time with my friends and family. 

Emily

Emily

Baby Room 2 Senior Room Leader

I've worked with children for the last 7 years. I've experience of working with children up to age 7 but I'm most at home with the youngest children in the nursery.

Outside of work I've just got a new puppy called Douglas, I love walking him he's such fun. I also love baking. 

Mollie

Mollie

Tweenies Room Leader

I started at Culham Science Centre Nursery in 2018. Since then I have progressed through from Trainee Nursery Assistant to Room Leader. Previously I worked with the babies and so I'm really enjoying working with slightly older children. The tweenies grow in independence so much in their time with us, its a fascinating age group and I simply adore encouraging this progression and have so much fun playing with them.
I enjoy spending time with my family outside of the nursery and especially my gorgeous little nieces who I am completely devoted to.

 

Beth

Beth

Upper Preschool 2 Senior Room Leader

I have worked here since 2017 starting my career as a Trainee Nursery Assistant. I've worked hard to qualify as a Nursery Nurse and progress to Room Leader. Preschoolers mature so much in their time with us. It's a wonderful age group as the children are developing their fantastic personalities and growing in independence ready for school but cuddles are still needed too! You will often find me singing and laughing with the children as they make me so happy!  Outside of nursery I enjoy going for dinner with friends and family and training at the gym.

Louise

Louise

Junior Room leader -babies

I have been at The Culham Nursery since 2017 and have qualified as a Nursery Nurse during that time. I absolutely love babies! I've always worked with this age group and am fascinated by their early intelligence and by how fast they develop and grow. You will usually find me on the floor with my little ones singing and playing or covered in paint along with the children! Outside of nursery I adore spending time with my nieces and nephews - I'm a big softie and love cuddles! - I spend lots of time with my whole family who I love very much.

Annette

Annette

Nursery Cook

I've been cooking for 40 years having started in a pub when I was just 14 years old!  My love for cooking started when I used to cook with my grandma and my auntie so I am passionate about wholesome home cooked food and how important it is to introduce young children to it as early as possible in life. My favourite dishes are italian and curries and I try to introduce the children to foods from all around the world to broaden their tastes. Outside of work I love animals and enjoy swimming, reading and socialising.

Louise

Louise

Nursery Cook

 I started working here in the kitchen in January 2017 and have found that I absolutely love my job. Initially I worked very closely with the baby room leaders to ensure our littlest children are well provided for and get a cuddle every now and then! The kitchen is a great place to work, it's a well oiled machine and we manage to feed a lot of hungry children everyday - it's great to see how much they enjoy our food. I like to have fun but work very hard and there is never a dull moment!