Our nursery
Get to know the people who care for your child every day.
Our designated safeguarding lead is Charlotte Armstrong and our deputy designated safeguarding lead is Suzanne Richardson. If you have any concerns about a child, speak to either of them or call us on 01287 280244.
Nursery manager and designated safeguarding lead
Hi, my name is Charlotte and I am the manager and designated safeguarding lead here at Priory Oaks Day Nursery. I have worked in childcare for over 20 years and have managed settings for around 8 years. As well as managing nurseries, I have worked in children’s centres and schools, so I have experience of lots of different settings.
I love how varied my role is, from invoicing and writing policies and procedures to building a mud kitchen and cooking lunches. My favourite thing, though, is reading to the children and exploring their imaginations with them. I love bringing stories to life, and I hope the children in my care enjoy them and take something away from every story.
When I am not answering the phone or playing at nursery, I am at home with my family: my husband, our 2 daughters, our dog and our cat. We are often out on walks, travelling somewhere sunny or shopping (with 2 daughters, that comes with the territory). I also love reading in my spare time.
Quick facts
Favourite colour: Purple
Favourite food: Pizza
Favourite animal: Elephant
Deputy nursery manager, SENCo, Mighty Oaks room lead and deputy designated safeguarding lead
Hi, my name is Suze (short for Suzanne). I am the deputy manager, SENCo (special educational needs coordinator), Mighty Oaks room lead and deputy designated safeguarding lead at Priory Oaks Day Nursery. My working life has taken me in lots of different directions in childcare, and I have definitely found my place as a SENCo in the early years.
I really enjoy my role with the older children, teaching them new skills, sharing what I know and finding new and interesting ways to get them ‘school ready’. I do get a little sad when they are ready to move on to their next chapter, though.
When I am not wearing my many hats at work, you will find me at home with my family: my partner, our 2 teenage children and our dog. We enjoy lots of family adventures, trips to the theatre and a good book.
Quick facts
Favourite colour: Blue
Favourite food: Fish fingers
Favourite animal: Elephant
Little Acorns room lead and third in charge
Hi, my name is Joanne (Jo Jo for short) and I am the Little Acorns room lead and third in charge here at Priory Oaks Day Nursery. I have worked my way up the career ladder in childcare, starting out only a few moons ago as an apprentice, and I now step in for the deputy and manager at nursery.
I love being room lead in the toddler room. I think it is my favourite age of all: they are so funny, their personalities are starting to shine and their energy is great. I love baking and cooking with the children, enjoying the garden with them, and dressing up for role play. You can often find me in the salon getting my hair done, or being pampered in the home corner.
When I am not singing my heart out at nursery, I love spending my spare time with my new husband and our blended family. We love socialising locally and taking trips, and I love following the Boro.
Quick facts
Favourite colour: Pink
Favourite food: Lasagne
Favourite animal: Chipmunk
Seedlings room lead
Hi, my name is Diane and I am the room lead in the Seedlings room. My childcare career started a little later in life, after I had my own children, and now I am flying high in my new role as room lead.
The baby room is always full of fun, laughter and learning, and I love planning interesting and exciting tuff trays. My favourite thing to do is get messy! Sensory exploration is key to early development, so I use it in most of my planning to engage the children in lots of learning.
When I am not knee-deep in oobleck or slime, I enjoy time at home with my family. I have a grown-up daughter and a son who lives at home, and we love watching spooky films and trying new foods together. I love to cook up a storm in the kitchen too.
Quick facts
Favourite colour: Orange
Favourite food: Thai food
Favourite animal: Octopus
Early years educator, Seedlings
Hi, my name is Jessica. I am an early years educator and I currently work in the Seedlings room. The baby room is a new adventure for me and I am learning lots as I go. I have done lots of baby-specific training, which has helped me grow in confidence and knowledge.
I really enjoy adapting the environment so the children can explore their own abilities and use their big movements to get around. I also love playing in the garden, building sandcastles in the sand area and eating lots of mud pies from the mud kitchen.
When I am not learning on the go, I love spending time with my daughter and our extended family. We love shopping, watching the latest reality TV show together or enjoying holidays in the sun.
Quick facts
Favourite colour: Red
Favourite food: Pizza
Favourite animal: Dog
Early years educator, Little Acorns
Hi, my name is Danielle and I am an early years educator in the Little Acorns room. I did my first training in my home country of South Africa, and I am now topping up my knowledge with my Level 3 in the early years. I bring lots of new language to the nursery and love teaching the children new traditions and words.
I have a huge heart and love nothing more than a cuddle and a chat with the children, learning all about their lives at home and sharing my experiences too. I also love being creative: drawing, painting and making models from playdough or loose parts.
When I am not having snuggles at nursery, I spend time at home with my 2 children, my partner and our blended family. We have lots of animals between us and I love looking after them all. We all love spending time outdoors, exploring the world and getting very muddy.
Quick facts
Favourite colour: Purple
Favourite food: Pizza
Favourite animal: Cat
Early years educator, Seedlings
Hi, my name is Chloe and I am an early years educator in the Seedlings room. I have lots of experience working with different ages, but I think I have found my home with the babies. I love watching them grow, reach their milestones and achieve their own goals.
I am full of energy and love to sing and dance with the babies. There is always a song to be sung or a dance to be danced in the baby room. Communication is very important, and I enjoy getting to know the babies so I can adapt my teaching to their individual needs. A tuff tray to explore is my go-to activity, because I can make it fun, creative, messy and interesting, and above all teach through play.
When I am not dancing my way round nursery, I am at home with my partner, our son and our 2 dogs. We love watching films, going crabbing in Whitby and taking the dogs for walks. I also love reading on my Kindle.
Quick facts
Favourite colour: Pink
Favourite food: Sunday roast
Favourite animal: Shark
Early years educator, Seedlings
Hi, my name is Ellen and I am an early years educator in the Seedlings room. I recently passed my apprenticeship with a merit and I am now a fully qualified Level 3 educator. I am very proud of my achievement (and so is my team).
I have worked in all 3 rooms at the nursery, so I have experience with every age group, though the baby room holds a special place in my heart. I really enjoy introducing the babies to new experiences and learning opportunities, reading to them and generally playing and having lots of fun. Watching their personalities develop is great, and knowing I play a part in that is even better. I love being creative with the little ones: painting, chalking, colouring and exploring lots of new materials.
When I am not creating little artists at nursery, I like spending time with my partner and redecorating our new home. I enjoy socialising with friends, watching Grey’s Anatomy on repeat and playing football.
Quick facts
Favourite colour: Purple
Favourite food: Cheeseburger
Favourite animal: Capybara
The best way to get to know the team is to visit. Call us on 01287 280244 or email prioryoaks@atomix.ac.uk to arrange a show round.