Our Team
The aim of our staff at Sunrise is to be a group of caring teachers who work as a team, accepting and practicing an agreed educational philosophy, and collectively expressing one clear concern; the total welfare of all the children in their care. We try to create an environment where staff provide continuity for children and parents and, therefore, some of our staff have been with us for at least 5 years or more.
Natalie Dixon is our Baby Unit Head of Room and is assisted by Nicola Mawer who recently joined us from Sutton Valence pre-school. Mandy Withers is our full time Toddler Unit Head of Room and designated person for Behaviour Management. Mandy joined us in 2007 and has 20 years previous experience. Mandy is assisted full time by a qualified Nursery Assistant, Linda Soutter. Linda has been at Sunrise for 10 years and previously had 23 years experience which included special care babies. Additional staff assist us during lunch periods and are available to cover in the event of staff absence or holiday to maintain continuity of care.
Four members of staff make up the Nursery team, Helen Cole is our full time Head of Room and Deputy Manager who has 9 years Early Years experience and has two young sons. Helen joined us in 2009 following the retirement of our previous Head of Room after 13 years service. Helen is assisted full time by Anne Hipkin, a qualified member of staff who has been with the setting for 10 years. Anne recently moved from the Baby Unit to experience life with the Nursery chidlren. Helen's other staff are Sara Collins who is training to NVQ3 and Julie Symmons who recently qualified to NVQ 3 and has previously worked with our under 2's. Our Early Years class is headed by Mrs Carol Sayers, a qualified primary teacher with 38years experience. Carol has been at Sunrise Nursery since 1993 and previously taught children up to the age of 8 when Sunrise was a Pre-Prep School. Carol is supported by a qualified Nursery Assitant, Emma Austin who is also the setting Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo). Emma originally came to Sunrise as a student and after qualifying and gaining further experience at another setting, Emma joined us permanently in 2006. Emma joins the Nursery team after 3.15 to care for the children staying until 5.30, she also is part of the Supervisory team for our Holiday Club.
Chelsea Whitehouse joined our Nursery class in March 2010 under the Apprenticeship Scheme; Chelsea works full time and is about to embark on her NVQ2 qualification.
All our staff are police checked and First Aid trained. All of the staff who work directly with the children hold a childcare qualification.
Beverley Ash is our qualified cook who works daily preparing our meals - our kitchen has been rated as category FIVE STARS by Maidstone Borough Council www.scoresonthedoors.org.ukWe also have additional staff who supervise during our lunch period and provide supply cover.