Nursery Team
Nursery Team
Nursery Team
At Burstead Bears Day Nursery we believe that our children deserve the right to receive the best individual attention, a guarantee to care and an education of the highest degree. We provide a high ratio of quality early years childcare staff specialists and our extremely skilled staff are fully trained with recognised qualifications in childcare. Additionally, all staff and volunteers undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Baring Service DBS formally Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). All of this combined makes us what we believe one of the best nurseries in Essex.
We are proud of our staff retention rate and put this down to careful selection and dedicated training programmes. We also provide a fun and happy environment which benefits the children and the staff who work for us.
When a child begins at Nursery they are allocated to a key person. This key person will have the special responsibility of building strong relationships with the children in their small group and will be the point of contact to parents who wish to discuss their child’s development.
The Team
Rachael Robinson
CEO/Manager (Safeguarding Children Coordinator)
Rachael Robinson
Rachael being a founder member of Burstead Bears, helped start the nursery back in 2006 and is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Manager. Thanks to Rachael's love and passion for Burstead Bears, her continuous pursuance of excellence has been rewarded by the setting being recognised as an award winning nursery since 2010. We have also been repeatedly voted by an independent body as a top 20 nursery in the East of England, ahead of 930 other nurseries. Due to Rachael and her team's achievements the nursery has built an enviable reputation that we continue to enjoy today. She has a wealth of experience in childcare having qualifications in both childcare and management. Rachael has complete autonomy over all elements of the nursery. Rachael has her own family that includes her husband and two children.
Paula Dann
Deputy Manager (SENCO)
Paula Dann
Paula qualified as a nursery practitioner in 2006. Since this time Paula has progressed to be a most professional and skilled practitioner, who has achieve the equivalent to an NVQ Level 4. Due to Paula's vast experience and knowledge, she has earned the respect of all her colleagues, which is due to her capacity to comprehend and respond to our children's needs with ease, she is also perceptive, supportive and patient with both children and colleagues alike. Furthermore, Paula has a wealth of experience acting as one of the nursery's long serving valued deputy managers. Paula has her own family that includes her husband and daughter.
Bethany Dyson
Deputy Manager (ENCO)
Bethany Dyson
Bethany joined Burstead Bears in 2014 as an apprentice, she then progressed to become one of the nursery's most valued qualified practitioners whilst continuing to pursue advanced qualifications. Bethany's appetite for progression didn't stop there, she went on to become room leader, and then to undertake the role of Equality Named Co-ordinator and is responsible for maintaining the quality partnership with all parents. Subsequently, Bethany joined the nursery's management team working as joint deputy manager. Bethany has an extremely endearing persona, excellent interaction skills and a willingness to help others that everyone warms to.
Keli Reed
Officer In Charge
Keli Reed
Keli has been working in the childcare sector since 1998, during which she has worked as a nanny for 10 years with children aged up to 16, and as a nursery practitioner with children from birth to age 5. Within Keli's role she has cared for many children of varying abilities including a 5 year period where she had great pleasure in caring for child with autism, who thanks to Keli's input is today learning, socialising, communicating and developing really well. This makes Keli one of the nursery's most experienced and respected members of staff. After all the years Keli has worked in this sector, she still maintains the same passion in her role caring for children and helping them progress as she did when she first started. Needless to say with Keli's vast experience she is not only a senior nursery parctitioner, but also joint officer in charge. Keli's main pursuit outside of work is caring for her 3 horses as well as competing in various equestrian events, in which she has been most successful winning trophies for show jumping, cross country and dressage.
Keli Reed
Officer In Charge
Keli Reed
Keli has been working in the childcare sector since 1998, during which she has worked as a nanny for 10 years with children aged up to 16, and as a nursery practitioner with children from birth to age 5. Within Keli's role she has cared for many children of varying abilities including a 5 year period where she had great pleasure in caring for child with autism, who thanks to Keli's input is today learning, socialising, communicating and developing really well. This makes Keli one of the nursery's most experienced and respected members of staff. After all the years Keli has worked in this sector, she still maintains the same passion in her role caring for children and helping them progress as she did when she first started. Needless to say with Keli's vast experience she is not only a senior nursery parctitioner, but also joint officer in charge. Keli's main pursuit outside of work is caring for her 3 horses as well as competing in various equestrian events, in which she has been most successful winning trophies for show jumping, cross country and dressage.
Nicola Stephens
Officer In Charge
Nicola Stephens
Nicola is an extremely bright, enthusiastic and caring individual who has a wealth of experience working with early year’s children of all ages from new born babies to our pre-school children. Nicola started life at Burstead Bears in 2010 with a true passion for working with young children. As time progressed she became one of our most valued members of staff and was promoted to senior nursery practitioner, a role for which she is highly respected. Subsequently, Nicola progressed to become joint officer in charge, which she continues to excel in today. Additionally, Nicola assists with various duties in the management of the nursery. Nicola has her own family that includes her partner and two children.
What our staff say
I am so proud of Burstead Bears and the environment we have created for our children to thrive in. The first 5 years of a child’s life shapes their future and it’s an honour to play a part in that. The feeling of walking into a room and hearing the children call your name with excitement or run over for a cuddle never loses its value. I’m passionate about my career and the continued success of our nursery
Burstead Bears is my home away from home and I feel very grateful to be part of such a special team. I feel I have grown up here over the last 10 years, from apprentice to Deputy Manager, I am so thankful for all the opportunities the nursery has provided me. Being trusted with someone else’s whole wide world will always be such a huge privilege for me. A smile from one of our little Bears is everything & more, and I’m lucky enough to experience it every day
Coming from a large family I have always been passionate about working with children. I started at Burstead Bears in 2012 and I haven’t looked back since. I enjoy the home from home environment we provide for not only the children, but our parents and staff too. I always feel supported and listened to – it really is the best place to work. Burstead Bears is not only my second home, but part of my extended family
Burstead Bears has such a family feel and I’m lucky enough to call it my home 5 days a week. Being a part of the children’s milestones- big or small- leaves me feeling so proud. Both of my children have attended the setting and I’ve watched them thrive, with my eldest leaving so well prepared for school.
After a short time volunteering at Burstead Bears I knew it was somewhere I wanted to pursue a career. Almost 10 years later I’m still loving my role and everything it entails. I enjoy working with children because I’m able to assist with their milestones and have the pleasure to see them grow up, as well as watch their little characters develop.
I started my childcare journey at Burstead Bears and I have loved every minute. The team here are so lovely and they really do make everyone feel welcome. I look forward to coming to work every day and seeing the children’s smiley faces. We always have fun in our home from home
Working at Burstead Bears I have learned so much and feel I have had the best start to my career. I hope to continue to grow at the nursery and am excited for the opportunities and challenges the nursery has to offer me. I love getting to know each child’s personality and forming great bonds with every single one of them. They’re all so special
Previous
Next