Our Team

Who works at The Culham Village 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

Nursery Manager

I've been manager at Culham Science Centre Nursery & Preschool 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 2020!

I am extremely excited by this new venture where we will be taking all of our outstanding childcare skills to an additional location just a mile away from Culham Science Centre. Culham Village Nursery and Preschool is a delightful setting and I will be spending my time at both locations.

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.

Abbie

Deputy Manager and Toddler Room Leader

Having joined the team at Culham Science Centre Nursery & Preschool in 2013 I have enjoyed the journey from Trainee Nursery Assistant to the role I have now. I am very passionate about childcare and education. Preschool has been my area of expertise but I have developed extensive knowledge and experience of working with children of different ages and abilities over my years and have a passion for ensuring I am providing an inclusive environment that supports all children to make progress.

I have completed a level 5 qualification in leadership and management and am also qualified as a Forest School Leader. I run sessions in our very own forest school with small groups of children and love to provide opportunities for them to learn how to manage risks safely and explore the outdoors den building and cooking on a fire with adult support!

I am so delighted to be a key part of the gorgeous Culham Village nursery where we provide outstanding levels of care and education. I am a fun-loving person with much energy and you will always see me laughing and joking with the team, who I love working with.

Kate

Assistant Deputy Manager & Preschool Room Leader

I've worked in childcare since January 2010 supporting my daughters' Pre School as a parent helper. I enjoyed the part I played in the children’s learning so much that my interest and Early Years Career grew from there. I'm leader of the Preschool room and Pre School is where my heart is! I'm thrilled to be part of the Culham Village team, offering outstanding childcare within the beautiful environment inside and out.

I have a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies (level 6) which I am very proud of and I love to share my thoughts and knowledge with the team. I've three grown up children of my own which is why I love working within the Early Years sector so much, the contrast balances perfectly with family life. I have previously ran 10 half marathons, three marathons and an ultra marathon since completing Couch to 5K in 2015. I'm also a certified Bounce instructor so you will find me busy teaching classes of an evening or at the weekend!

Denise

Room Leader

Having been in childcare now for 20 years, I finally found the place where I feel most at home, which is caring for our lovely children at the Culham Village Nursery. I started at Culham Science Centre Nursery in 2017 and found I couldn't leave! I love watching the smallest babies develop and grow into wonderful little people and the Preschools grow into confident individuals ready for school!

My absolute favourite thing at nursery is to read the children stories and I do all the different silly voices and sounds! Their excited little faces staring back at me makes my day. Outside of nursery I enjoy walking my dog in the fresh air with my husband, embroidery and knitting, and spending time with my children and extended family.

Paige

Lower Preschool Room Leader

I joined the company in 2017, starting at our Culham Science Centre Nursery and was delighted to be a part of our lovely Culham Village Nursery when we opened. I have completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification and progressed from Trainee to Nursery Practitioner, and now Room Leader.

I am an enthusiastic,motivated Room Leader who is committed to the development of the children and the creation of a supportive,happy environment where they can grow. I am able to provide comfort and reassurance and I’m always available for a cuddle when needed. One of my favourite parts of my day is giving feedback to parents about what their children have achieved. In my free time I enjoy cooking,going to the cinema and socialising with friends.

Georgia

Baby Room Leader

I love working with the babies and watching them grow and develop. I have a degree in psychology as well as level 3 in childcare. My favourite thing in nursery is getting messy with the children -we all love body painting, water play, shaving foam and jelly play! Outside of nursery I love walking, reading, creative writing and gaming.

Jeannette

Nursery Cook

I've been in catering since I was 16 and have 37 years’ experience behind me. I've done many types of cooking: general plate service: silver service and buffet work: catered for many weddings, and even made my own wedding cake. I worked at Milton Hill for 23 years and within that time I had 3 children then on to Tesco distribution's head chef in the staff kitchen for 11 years.
Back in 2018 I decided I wanted to stay in catering but change my direction and decided to work in a nursery. I enjoy cooking for children, introducing them to new foods and helping their growth with our nutritional, well balance meals.
I now have 2 grandchildren which I help look after and try out the meals I cook at work on them to, which go down well. I am looking forward to when they are a bit older and I can do some cooking with them and get them to enjoy cooking like I do. I love spending time with the family, going on holiday together, eating out and taking our pet dog for long walks.