Staff
Sandie Lambrou - Manager
Sandie has now been managing Okewood Nursery for 18 months and feels privileged to work in such a beautiful setting. She has been in Nursery Education for many years, but due to the government’s push for all settings to have a graduate leader by 2015, Sandie started a part-time degree in Early Childhood last September. She has in the past been a residential social worker and a special needs assistant in main stream schooling, also a Special Needs Governor. Sandie has 3 children of her own whom, having completed their own degrees a while ago, are highly amused that their mother is now a student ! She is delighted to have such an excellent team of staff at Okewood. All caring for every child that attends the setting and at the same time pushing themselves forward by studying to gain a better childcare qualifications and a better understanding of children’s development.
Melanie joined Okewood Nursery as Deputy Manager in December 2009. She is qualified to a CACHE level 3 in reception year and is on course to gain a level 3 NVQ in Early Years Child Care & Education by July 2010. She has 2 children at Primary School and has always volunteered at the School and has helped with guided reading, handwriting, spellings, maths and literacy. Melanie has taken on the roles of Transitions Co-ordinator and Special Needs Co-ordinator within the Nursery.
Hayley joined Okewood Nursery at the start of the Spring term in January. She has previously worked with children in year 1 as work experience and has always wanted to work with children! She is currently working towards an NVQ2 and hopes to finish by July and then start her NVQ3. The children enjoy the youthful energy Hayley brings to the setting.
Mandy joined Okewood Nursery in September 2008. The children love gardening with her and under her guidance they produced a good crop of potatoes last year, as well as planting many flowers to make the garden a riot of colour. Mandy has started her NVQ3 in Early Years Childcare and education and has 3 children in primary education.
Anna, annually visits an orphanage in Kisumu, Kenya where we sponsor a child called Hope. She returns with beautiful photos and first hand experience of a completely different way of life which she then shares with the children.