We employ almost 100 staff at our 4 settings, from Nursery Managers and Senior Nursery Nurses to our Out of School Club Leader. Here is your chance to meet some of the team who are involved in the day-to-day care of your child.
Kate – Managing Director
Kate is a qualified Registered General Nurse and Health Visitor. She practiced as a health visitor for 7 years which is invaluable experience for running Sunbeams.
She also holds a postgraduate diploma in Health and Social Services Management, a certificate in Health Education and has completed the regional programmefor leadership and Development.
After 16 years in the NHS she left in 2001 to open the first Sunbeams at Austhorpe and has been runnning the company ever since.
Shelley – Operations Manager
Leanne – Nursery Manager
I joined Sunbeams as a nursery nurse in 2009 and soon progressed to a senior in the pre school room and became manager in 2014. Sunbeams has become part of my family. I like to make the setting feel like a family environment for all staff ,children and parents that come through our doors. I currently hold a level 4 in Early childhood Policy and Practice.
I am a mum of 2 children that are not very little anymore, both are now teenagers, Outside of nursery I enjoy supporting Blackpool football club where we have a season ticket and enjoy going to the away games. I am originally from Scarborough where I spend a lot of my free time with family and friends.
Becky – EYFS Manager
I joined Sunbeams in 2018 as an Early Years Advisor. Prior to this, I worked as head of pre-school at a private nursery. I have over 15 years experience working with children, 11 of those in a leadership role. I have worked with children of various ages and abilities, I previously worked at an American summer camp for 2 summers as a lifeguard teaching kayaking.
I have Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) and a BA (hons) in Early Years from the University of Huddersfield. I have also completed forest school training, I have a level 1 in British sign Language (BSL) and have completed various training to support children with SEN.
I am passionate about giving young children the best possible start in life. In my role as Early Years Advisor, I am able to share best practice across our Sunbeams sites. I spend time supporting our staff teams to ensure that our children and families have the most knowledgeable, passionate and enthusiastic key persons that provide the most enabling environments for them to thrive, learn and develop.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I’ve completed various charity events including a Sky dive for Alzheimers Society. I love to travel to new places and meet new people.
Jenny – Manager
I started my career straight from college after gaining my level 3 diploma. I worked in a community nursery for 12 years. I started as a newly qualified practitioner and quickly worked my way to management level. Throughout this time I gained experience in child development, safeguarding and was lead practitioner for 2 year olds. This included working with outside agencies to fully support families.
I joined Sunbeams in 2016 as Nursery manager at Halton. I have gained huge knowledge and experience as a manager. I love working at Sunbeams as we create a happy and stimulating environment for the children and families. We have an experienced senior team, where we share ideas and experiences. Sunbeams is a happy and friendly environment and the staff are trained and mentored to provide the best care for children.
When I’m not at work I enjoy, socialising with friends, reading, meeting new people and beach holidays!
Anna – Nursery Manager
I have a Degree in Childhood and Youth studies as well as Early Years Professional Status and have been working with children for 11 years since graduating. I joined Sunbeams in 2016 at Thorpe Park as baby room senior and became manager January 2017
I enjoy working for Sunbeams because I like to get to know the families and to feel like part of the community. I love Sunbeams approach to Children’s learning and development and think the settings are beautiful environments for children to thrive in.
In my spare time I like to have family days out with my partner and 2 little girls, I love exercise and going to the theatre.
Alison – Nursery Manager
I started working for Sunbeams in 2008 which was a complete career change for me, and I’ve been here ever since. I had previously worked as a Fraud Manager and then moved into Account Management working for my previous organisation for 20 years.
Originally from Leeds I re-located to Cheshire where I had my three children in quick succession. This is when my experience with children really began, and I knew I wanted to work with children. I completed a CACHE Level 2 qualification in childminding, whilst still working and then decided to move to Harrogate to be closer to family.
I joined Sunbeams and quickly moved into a Senior Practitioner role in the Toddler room. I completed my Level 3 in Child Development and then went on to become Deputy Manager completing a Level 3 in Management, and then on to Nursery Manager.
Working at Sunbeams is the most rewarding job I’ve ever done. Every day is different, but every day is so important and makes such a difference to a child’s life. Sunbeams is such a happy place to work, and this is because of our amazing, deciated, hardworking, caring staff team and all our children and families.
Our aim at Sunbeams is to give every child the best start in life, I often describe a child’s journey through education as”baking a cake”. In Early Years we add all the important ingredients and give it a really good stir. In Primary School they put the cake in the oven and watch it gently rise. In Secondary School they add the finishing touches. The ingredients are the foundation to all future happiness and success in life.
Outside of work it is all about my own family and spending quality time with them. We love to walk the dog go out for family meals and going on family holidays.