My name is Steph and I am the Nursery manager. I have 14 years’ experience in childcare and hold a level 3 qualification in the children and young people’s workforce. I’m currently completing a level 5 apprenticeship in operational management. I’m very passionate about my career and strive to make a difference to children’s lives by ensuring they have the best possible start in life.

I really enjoy cooking and love to experiment with new foods, especially learning family recipes from my Cypriot and Sri Lankan heritage.

I am recently engaged so most of my spare time is spent planning my dream wedding! I have a big interest in interior design and have been personally renovating my own home over the last few months which has helped me to gain lots of new skills. I have a long bucket list of things I’d love to achieve in my life, so far I’ve been fortunate enough to have been sky diving, worked abroad for a Summer, swam with dolphins, climbed the O2, snorkelled in the middle of the ocean, been parasailing and travelled to lots of beautiful countries across the world and UK!

My name is Nicole and I am a level 3 qualified Nursery Practitioner and the Deputy Manager. I am currently completing a level 3 apprentice in team leading and management. I have Level 2 qualifications in both ‘Understanding Autism’ and ‘Working with individuals with Learning Disabilities’. 

In my personal life I am passionate about looking after my physical and mental well-being. I have a strong passion for implementing mental health teaching in early years and giving children the best possible space to express their feelings. This is reflected in my work as I am enthusiastic about physical play, teaching children about their food and nutrition. My hobbies include reading books of the thriller and mystery genre, listening to podcasts, going to the gym and taking part in amateur photography. My biggest use of social time is spent attending football matches up and down the country and overseas, as I am a huge Chelsea fan. Some of the places I have been to watch Chelsea play include Amsterdam, Prague, Madrid, Dubai and Istanbul. I love to travel whether that is in England or abroad.

My name is Abigail; I am the Room leader in the Cherry room and SENCO for the nursery. I started working with children in 2016 and find pre-school a really rewarding age to work with. My hobbies include theatre and musical productions. I used to perform in local and national competitions, as well as in ‘Mardi gras’ with theatre professionals. I also used to take my own classes where I worked with preschool aged children teaching them their ‘first steps’ in tap, ballet, and acrobatic disciplines. This is something I want to introduce to both Cherry and Orange room to further support and encourage the children to take an interest in the arts! I also enjoy spending time travelling and visiting new places, my favourite being Greece. In the future I would love to travel to Asia and explore different cultures and way of life, possibly whilst working there.  In the future I would like to go to university and complete a BA Hons in Early Childhood, or achieve a QTS.

Hi, my name is Carly. I am 35 years old and have 18 years’ experience working in the childcare industry. I have my NVQ level 3. I have previously lived and worked in France within the childcare sector in a beautiful place called ‘Morzine’ and I’m still in contact with the lovely families I looked after! I have a son aged 6 and love spending any free time I have with him, especially going to see movies.  We do lots of baking activities together and go on lots of spontaneous days out. I love new challenges and I’m very much looking forward to a new and exciting adventure at Rising Stars!

My name is Julie, I have been working in childcare since 2018 and I am a qualified level 3 practitioner. I enjoy working with children of all ages and abilities. I am a mother of 2 and I am very family orientated. I spend most of my spare time with my children doing things such as going to the park, watching a movie, taking day trips to them parks and visiting play centres. I am a keen baker and love baking and decorations cakes for my children and family, especially on occasion such as birthdays. Art is life and I enjoy making anything and everything I can. I taught myself how to crochet and have made a range of different items from baby blankets to dresses. I hope to start travelling to other countries in the next year to show my children the world. As for my career, I aspire to become a room leader in the near future.

My name is Shanice and I have recently joined the Pear room at Rising Stars. Having 6 lovely children of my own, I am excited to be embarking on a new career in childcare and gaining a qualification.

My free time is spent on days out and enjoying activities with my family. I’m a massive dog lover and have 3 American XL bullies at home.

Summer is my favourite time of the year; I love to attend BBQ’s where there is lots of food, sunshine, and laughter with my friends and family!

I hope this year to travel more and add to my family destinations bucket list, Turkey being at the top.

I enjoy reading old English literature. Charlotte Bronte and Hardy are my favourites. This is owed to my schooling at a Grammar school in Kent. I’m also a bit of a foodie; my ultimate favourite pastime is trying new cuisines with friends and family.

My name is Amy; I’ve worked in childcare for 2 years and have a level 2 in teaching and supporting young children. I love working with children and get excited to come to work each day as every day is different. You never know what to expect when working with children and it is rewarding to see their progress. I believe I am a fun and enthusiastic practitioner when working with the children and strive to put smiles on their face.

I am a mum myself which I also thoroughly enjoy. My son and I love food tasting and trying new restaurants together as well as exploring new places and going for walks. We also love to bake and cook recipes from various different cuisines. I like to go to the gym and socialise with my friends. I love going on holiday, going for dinners and going for long walks with my family and friends.

I am working towards my level 3 and being a room leader at some point in the future.

My name is Alisha and I have been in the childcare industry since 2016. I have my level 2 and 3 in the children’s and young people’s workforce as well as an extended level 3 diploma in childcare.

I enjoy caring for children and watching them grow ready to go onto their next steps in life. I work well on my own & in a team and I believe I am an outgoing and enthusiastic practitioner who loves to see the children smile and achieve 

My free time is spent caring for my daughter and going out with my family and friends.

I would like to explore different countries in the future; I would love to go to Dubai or the Maldives.

Hi my name is Sam and I’m a Level 4 practitioner in Cherry room.

I have worked in a range of different sectors including the NHS, mental health and hospitality. I have 3 beautiful children, whom I spend most of my time with. 

I enjoy music and the outside world. I have travelled to a lot of different places, my favourite place being Cuba for its beauty. I only recently joined the nursery and the team and children have welcomed me with open arms. I hope to learn more in the childcare sector from the skilled workers at Rising Stars and have fun filled days of laughter with the wonderful children there.

My name is Jaime and I have been working in childcare for over 20 years. My new role is the kitchen assistant, I love to cook and help others so it is the perfect mix! I am a Mum of 3 and spend a lot of my time with my family. I like to go to the cinema to watch films from my favourite genre that is true stories. I enjoy experimenting with cooking and my favourite thing to cook is cakes! I love anything to do with arts and crafts and being creative. One of my favourite pass times is crocheting and sewing. I am able to make things from clothes to blankets. In the past I have hand crotched clothes and blankets from premature babies. At the weekend, I support the Romford Raiders who are our local ice hockey team. I attend this with my husband and my daughter. I am fascinated by the history of the royal family and the world wars. You will see me floating around the nursery making sure everything is clean, tidy and in its place.

My name is Dannii and I have been working in the childcare field for almost 6 years. I enjoy creating new learning experiences for children through activities and thrive when working as part of a team. I have worked mainly with 3-5 year olds children and am looking forward to developing my experience with other age groups.

In my free time, I enjoy cooking and going out with friends. I will be going on my first holiday abroad soon and looking forward to travelling more and seeing different parts of the world!