Our Team

Who works at The Culham Science Centre 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

Nikki

Nursery Manager

I've been manager here 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 February 2020!

I love children and have two grown up boys of my own who I adore spending time with. I've been known to like the odd glass of wine and 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.  

 

Laura

Laura

Nursery Operations Manager

I'm a qualified Nursery Nurse and have worked at the nursery since 2003; I love my job!

I joined the nursery as a trainee and over the years have gained valuable experience in all age groups. I have progressed up to my current role where I am passionate about managing and supporting the staff to provide the best development and care for the children. It's fantastic to get to spend my days with such lovely children and a wonderful staff team and I find it very rewarding. Outside of work I love to spend time with my family, especially my young niece and nephew. I'm a huge spectator sport fan and love to go watch live sport such as tennis at the O2, football, athletics and live shows such as Strictly Come Dancing.

Hanane

Hanane

Babies 1 - Junior Room Leader

I joined the nursery in 2018 as a Trainee Nursery Assistant and have grown significantly in my childcare career since then, and achievied my Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification in June 2023. After working as Nursery Practitioner, I was promoted to Junior Room Leader in Babies 1 in March this year. 

I have a deep passion for working with Babies, nurturing their development, and creating a safe but stimulating environment for them. I also enjoy spending time with the older children and engaging in playful and educational activities. Outside of work I cherish spending time with my son going on adventures and spending time as a family. 

Chloe

Chloe

Babies 2 - Room Leader

I joined the nursery in 2019 as a Qualified Nursery Assistant and gained my Level 3 qualification in 2023. I've worked hard to achieve my qualifications and progress to room leader. I've always worked with babies and love to see their individual personalities shine through and watch them grow and develop throughout the nursery. My little boy is also at the nursery here and in my free time I enjoy baking with him and spending time with my family. 

Tafie

Tafie

Wombles - Room Leader

I joined the nursery in 2020 as a Trainee and after completing my level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, have progressed to my current role as Junior Room Leader with the Wombles.
I love the toddler age group as there is never a dull moment when you simply enjoy singing, dancing, exploring and learning about the world with them.
In my spare time I enjoy going out for drinks and food with friends and family.

 

Alex

Alex

Tweenies Room Leader

I joined the nursery in 2016 and have been working in childcare for 11 years. I recently started my Level 5 Early Years Educator and i'm looking forward to developing and sharing my knowledge.
I started my journey in the baby room supporting them to reach their early developmental milestones but since returning from having my son, I have been caring for our Toddlers. I love looking after all ages but my heart lies with the younger ones, providing them with a variety of fun and messy activities aswell as plenty of cuddles.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my little boy, going out for food and exploring new places.
 
Emily

Emily

Lower Preschool 1+2 - Senior Room Leader

I've worked with children for the last 8 years. I've experience of working with children up to age 7 but I'm most at home working with children in early years and ensuring the get the best care and education in our nursery.

Outside of work I've just got a new puppy called Douglas, I love walking him he's such fun. I also love baking. 

Elise

Elise

Lower Preschool 3 - Room Leader

I joined the nursery in 2022 as a Nursery Practitioner after completing my NVQ level 3 in Childcare at College. I have worked in all age groups but my heart lies with the Lower Preschool children and I love watching their individual personalities develop at this age.
I have always been surrounded by children as I have 13 siblings who I help to look after!
In my spare time I enjoy listening to Taylor Swift and playing video games. I also enjoy travelling and hope to visit Japan and Australia in the future
 
Beth

Beth

Upper Preschool Senior Room Leader

I have worked here since 2017 starting my career as a Trainee Nursery Assistant. I've worked hard to qualify as a Nursery Practitioner and progress to Room Leader and have most recently completed my level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner qualification which has helped me to develop my knowledge and share this with the team.

Preschoolers mature so much in their time with us. It's a wonderful age group as the children are developing their fantastic personalities and growing in independence ready for school but cuddles are still needed too! You will often find me singing and laughing with the children as they make me so happy!  Outside of nursery I enjoy going for dinner with friends and family and training at the gym.

Louise

Louise

Nursery Cook

 I started working here in the kitchen in January 2017 and have found that I absolutely love my job. I work very closely with the baby room leaders to ensure our littlest children are well provided for and get a cuddle every now and then! The kitchen is a great place to work, it's a well oiled machine and we manage to feed a lot of hungry children everyday - it's great to see how much they enjoy our food. I like to have fun but work very hard and there is never a dull moment!

Mary

Mary

Assistant Nursery Cook

I have been working in kitchens for the last 6 years and absolutely love cooking! I am passionate about wholesome home cooked food and how important it is to introduce young children to it as early as possible in life and work closely with Louise to ensure the children love our meals!

 I have a thermomix at home so you will find me in the kitchen trying new and interesting recipes at the weekend. My favourite things to cook are curries and cakes! In my spare time I like to do pilates, and running. I ran the London Marathon in 2022 which was amazing! I raised about 1K for crohn's and colitis charity.