Our Team

We are a team of highly trained, qualified and committed professionals.

We are passionate about delivering outstanding care and education to children.

We are a close knit team who work well together, providing consistency to both children and parents.

About Us
“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship"

Our highly trained, qualified and compassionate team.

We benefit from having a mixed age range which means that we gain knowledge and understanding about new ways of thinking within the childcare sector from the younger and more recently qualified staff, whilst at the same time can draw upon the experience and expertise of the mums amongst us. This means that we have a vast wealth of knowledge and experience which can be used at any time. We share duties and responsibilities and because of our close working relationships all the staff get to know all the children.
We undertake verification of professional reference and personal identification of all staff joining Close Day Nursery. We always maintain a very high ratio of qualified staff at least to NVQ Level 3.
In accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory requirements, all our staff are checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Upon commencement of joining the Close Day Nursery team, new staff are provided with an Induction Course to educate them on our policies and procedures. These are the underpinning foundations of our approach to education and high quality care.
Staff at Close Day hold a variety of qualifications that are all nationally recognised. We provide ongoing in-house training to update and improve the knowledge of our staff in all matters of childcare. Our staff also attend external training courses to aid their professional development. In addition, we ensure that all staff receive paediatric first aid training, safeguarding, fire training and basic food hygiene skills.

  • Lorraine

    Nursery Manager

  • Hayley – MATERNITY LEAVE

    Deputy Manager

  • Jade

    Deputy Manager & Baby Room Leader (Full Time)

  • Adla – MATERNITY LEAVE

    Early Years Practitioner (5 days a week, Term time only)

  • Alisha – MATERNITY LEAVE

    Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

  • Chloe

    Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

  • Courtney

    Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

  • Ebonie

    Level 2 Apprentice (Term time only)

  • Joelle

    Middle Room Leader (Full Time)

  • Katrina – Part time (Term time) Early Years Practitioner

  • Louise

    Early Years Practitioner (Full time, 2.5 days a week)

  • Louise

    Early Years Practitioner (2.5 Days a Week, Full Time)

  • Molly

    Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

  • Olivia

    Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

  • Rachel

    Big Room Room Leader (Full Time)

  • Sharon

    Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

  • Tammy

    Early Years Practitioner (Full time)

  • Verica

    Nursery Assistant

  • Kelly

    Nursery Assistant

Lorraine

Nursery Manager

Lorraine has many years experience in the childcare field and has been at The Close Day Nursery since 2006, in this time she has completed her Level 3 and Early Childhood Studies Degree. Lorraine is the Lead Safeguarding Officer and is responsible for maintaining high standards within the nursery, ensuring that each member of staff adheres to policies and procedures. She creates a safe stimulating environment for all the children that attend, supporting the nursery team with implementation of the EYFS and curriculum. Lorraine encourages close partnerships between staff and parents, striving for The Close Day  Nursery to be the best nursery in Oxfordshire!

 

Qualifications

BA Hons First Class Early Childhood Studies (Level 6)
SENCO
Designated Lead Safeguarding Officer
WRAP Prevent Duty Trained
First Aid Trained
Safer Recruitment Trained

Hayley – MATERNITY LEAVE

Deputy Manager

Hayley has many years nursery experience, joining The Close Day Nursery in 2007, she began her time with us as a student, completed her level 3 qualification and progressed to Deputy Manager, supporting the management team in all aspects of nursery. Hayley is a Safeguarding Lead, as well as a key worker in the Big Room, she provides care and development for all children, ensuring children have an enjoyable and fulfilling nursery experience.

Jade

Deputy Manager & Baby Room Leader (Full Time)

Jade has been working at The Close for nearly 8 years, within this time she has completed her Early Childhood Studies Degree and progressed to full time Deputy Manager as well as Baby Room Leader. As part of her role Jade is a Safeguarding Lead, she supports the management team in all aspects of the nursery as well as over-seeing an amazing Baby Room team, she is responsible for the daily care of our youngest children, providing a safe and enabling environment for the babies, supporting them with their well-being to ensure they feel safe and confident during their time here. She plans effective activities to support their learning development, whilst working with parents.

 

 

Skills

BA Hons Early Childhood Studies
Safeguarding
First Aid Trained
WRAP Prevent Duty
FGM Trained
Introduction to Neuroscience in Early Years Level 2

Adla – MATERNITY LEAVE

Early Years Practitioner (5 days a week, Term time only)

Adla has been part of the Close Day Nursery team since 2022, she began her time with us as a student completing her Level 3 Qualification. She currently works in the Middle Room as a Key Worker, where she provides a fun learning environment, planning specific activities to ensure all children are making good developmental progress whilst having lots of fun.

Qualifications

Level 3 Childcare
Safeguarding
First Aid
Prevent Duty

Alisha – MATERNITY LEAVE

Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

Alisha has been with us since 2017, she began her time at The Close Day Nursery as a student completing her Level 3 Placement. She currently works in the Middle Room as a Key Worker, where she provides a fun learning environment, planning specific activities to ensure all children are making good developmental progress whilst having lots of fun.

Skills

Level 3 Childcare
Safegfuarding
WRAP Prevent Duty
First Aid Trained
FGM Trained

Chloe

Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

Chloe has a Level 3 qualification and has always worked in an Early Years Setting since leaving school. She has joined our Middle Room Team and is a keyworker.  Chloe ensures the setting is a safe, fun and happy environment for all children to develop their confidence, friendships and learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage while building positive relationships with all children and parents.

Qualifications

Level 3 Childcare
Safeguarding and Prevent Duty Trained
First Aid Trained

Courtney

Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

Courtney has a Level 3 Qualification and has many years experience in childcare. She started at The Close Day Nursery in 2022 where her role is a Key Worker in Big Room. Courtney ensures the setting is a safe, fun and happy environment for all children to develop their confidence, friendships and learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage while building positive relationships with all children and parents.

Qualifications

Level 3 Childcare
Safeguarding
First Aid Trained
Prevent Duty

Ebonie

Level 2 Apprentice (Term time only)

Ebonie started at The Close Day Nursery in 2021 as supporting for staff and children. She is keen to progress within the nursery and is currently completing her Level 2 Qualification and plans to complete her Level 3 also. Her current role is a Key Worker in Big Room, she is keen to ensure the setting is a safe, fun and happy environment for all children to develop their confidence, friendships and learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage while building positive relationships with all children and parents.

Qualifications

Safeguarding
First Aid
Prevent Duty

Joelle

Middle Room Leader (Full Time)

Jo has a Level 3 Qualification, and over 8 years nursery experience, starting her role at The Close Day Nursery in 2020. Jo is the Middle Room Leader, where she supports staff to create a stimulating environment for children to learn, she plans exciting and engaging activities ensuring that all are differentiated to take account of children’s individual interests, needs and level of learning. She ensures that positive relationships are built between all staff, parents and children, offering support, guidance and care to all.

Skills

Level 3 Childcare
Safeguarding
WRAP Prevent Duty
First Aid Trained

Katrina – Part time (Term time) Early Years Practitioner

Katrina has recently joined nursery team.  She has a level 3 qualification and works closely with the baby room team, covering their lunches and ensuring children’s safety and well being are a priority as well as creating a fun learning environment and supporting with learning activities.

Level 3

Level 3
First Aid Trained
Safeguarding and Prevent Duty Trained

Louise

Early Years Practitioner (Full time, 2.5 days a week)

Louise has worked at The Close since 2011, she began as a nursery assistant, just a few hours a week,  then completed her level 2 qualification and is hoping to complete her level 3 soon. Louise is a key worker in the Baby Room, she encourages learning and development through play. She offers support to all the staff and being a mum herself is able to provide much appreciated ideas and share her own experiences with parents.

Skills

Level 2 Childcare
Safeguarding
WRAP Prevent Duty Trained
First Aid Trained
FGM Trained

Louise

Early Years Practitioner (2.5 Days a Week, Full Time)

Louise has worked at the nursery since 2015, she began as a student on placement whilst completing her Level 3 qualification. She has many years experience working in the Baby Room as a key worker, her role is to build positive relationships with the children and parents in her care, working closely with Baby Room staff to ensure children’s safety and well being are a priority, as well as creating fun learning activities for all.

Skills

Level 3 Childcare
Safeguarding
First Aid Trained
WRAP Prevent Duty Trained
FGM Trained

Molly

Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

Molly has worked at The Close Day Nursery since 2021, she has a Level 3 Qualification and a Early Childhood Studies Degree. She currently works in the Middle Room as a Key Worker, where she provides a fun learning environment, planning specific activities to ensure all children are making good developmental progress whilst having lots of fun.

Qualifications

Level 3 Childcare & Early Childhood Studies Degree
Safeguarding
First Aid Trained
Prevent Duty Trained

Olivia

Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

Olivia has a Level 3 Qualification and has many years experience working with children, she has worked at The Close Day Nursery since 2017. Olivia is a Key Worker in the Baby Room, her role within the room is to encourage learning and development through play, building relationships with children and parents, supporting transitions and giving children the independence they need to grow and develop.

Qualifications

Level 3 Qualification
First Aid Trained
Prevent Duty Trained
Safeguarding

Rachel

Big Room Room Leader (Full Time)

Rachel has worked as the Big Room Leader at The Close Day Nursery since November 2016. She has a Batchelor of Education Degree and has over 20 years teaching experience, working in 2 Banbury Primary Schools before joining our team.
As room leader Rachel oversees Big Room team, she is responsible for planning and delivering a range of enjoyable and engaging activities, whilst ensuring that all children’s needs are met, they are having fun and making good progress. Her aim is to ensure that they make the transition to primary school as happy, healthy individuals with a love for learning.

Skills

B.Ed Primary School Teaching
Safeguarding & Prevent Duty Trained
First Aid Trained
FGM Trained

Sharon

Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

Sharon has a Level 3 Qualification and many years experience in childcare, she started at The Close Day Nursery in 2022. Her role within the nursery is a Key Worker in the Big Room, ensuring the setting is a safe, fun and happy environment for all children to develop their confidence, friendships and learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage while building positive relationships with all children and parents.

Qualifications

Level 3 Childcare
Safeguarding
First Aid Trained
Prevent Duty Trained

Tammy

Early Years Practitioner (Full time)

Tammy has worked at The Close Day Nursery  since 2003, gaining her Level 3 Qualification while working. She is a key worker in Big Room and thrives on ensuring the setting is a safe, fun and happy environment for all children to develop their confidence, friendships and learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage while building positive relationships with all children and parents.

 

Skills

Level 3 Childcare
Safeguarding and Prevent Duty Trained
First Aid Trained
FGM Trained

Verica

Nursery Assistant

Verica has recently returned to us at The Close,  her role within the nursery is supporting all three rooms with daily tasks, fulfilling kitchen duties such as preparing healthy snacks for all children to enjoy, and supporting children at lunchtime.

 

 

Skills

Level 2 Childcare
Safeguarding
First Aid Trained
WRAP Prevent Duty Trained
FGM Trained

Kelly

Nursery Assistant

Kelly started with us in 2022, she currently supports children at lunchtime as well as fulfilling kitchen duties such as preparing healthy snacks for all children to enjoy.

Qualifications

Safeguarding
First Aid Trained
Prevent Duty

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To enquire about a place or arrange a tour

Call 01295 263569

The Close Nursery Opco Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales.

Company No. 10987556

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