Staff
Sandie Lambrou - Manager
Sandie has been managing Okewood Nursery since September 2008 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 in September 2009. She has, in the past, been a residential social worker and a special needs assistant in main stream schooling and 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 as excellent team of staff at Okewood all caring for every child that attends and at the same time pushing themselves forward by studying to gain better childcare qualifications and a better understanding of children's development.
Melanie Budinger - Deputy Manager
Melanie joined Okewood Nursery in December 2009. She is qualified to be CACHE Level 3 Teaching Assistant and attained the Level 3 NVQ in Early Years Childcare and Education in July 2010. She has one child at Primary School and one at Secondary and has always volunteered at the school with guided reading, handwriting, spellings, maths and literacy. Melanie has taken on the roles of Transitions Co-ordinator and this involves settling new children into our Nursery and helping them move smoothly onto Infant School when the time arrives. She is also our and Special Needs Co-ordinator.
Hayley Ash
Hayley joined the nursery in January 2009. She has previously worked with children in Year 1 as work experience and has always wanted to work with children. She has attained the NVQ 2 in Childcare and Education and is currently studying for the Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education. The children enjoy the youthful energy Hayley brings.
Mandy Tarr
Mandy joined the nursery in September 2008. The children love gardening with her and under her guidance they produced a good crop of potatoes, as well as planting many flowers to make the garden a riot of colour. Mandy has got her NVQ 3 in Early Years Childcare and Education and has two children in primary School and one at Secondary School.
Anna Pisani
Anna is currently studying for the Level 3 Dipolma in Childcare and Education. She has been involved in the nursery since September 2008 and manages to balance this with her other commitments, working with the elderly and infirm. Anna is our Health and Safety Officer.
