Our Team

Meet the friendly faces behind Wheatley Hill Community Nursery 

Meet the team who make it all happen. We have a large group of staff who cater to all areas of the nursery's operations. 

Emma O'Callaghan
Nursery Manager

Hello, my name is Emma, I am a highly qualified and experienced primary school teacher with QTS and 12 years’ experience, with an Early Years specialism and vast experience in the Early Years, having been an Early Years leader across two schools.
Working with OFSTED and other outside agencies has been an important part of my experience as a teacher and leader. Having a clear curriculum, direction
& assessments for one’s children’s learning has been essential to allow individual children to thrive and develop.

Jodie Simpson
Deputy Manager, Two Year Lead & SENCO

Hello, my name is Jodie Simpson and I have worked in childcare for over 15 year s, I enjoy working in childcare that much that I have even travelled abroad to work with children making some amazing memories along the way, it also furthered my knowledge of childcare and gave me lots of great ideas to bring back to other settings that I have worked in. I am very much the sensory member of staff I love being amongst the gloop and glitter and believe that it is a great way to learn and explore. I have a passion for the great outdoors and love to explore the surroundings of the world we live in, providing lots of fantastic learning opportunities to further children’s development.
I have good relationships with the children and parents who attend the nursery and continue to build partnerships regularly.  
 

Chloe Gustard
Nursery Admin & Out of School Lead

Hello, my name is Chloe Gustard, and you will have seen that I have worked in the nursery as a practitioner for many years. I was very grateful that the opportunity arose for me to further my career, as I have always had a passion for working with children and their families. I have had the pleasure of working with all age range of children throughout my time here at Wheatley Hill Community Nursery LTD and have progressed in my career in so many ways, my personal achievement was when I had the privilege of working on two separate occasions with children who needed additional support, it was an absolute pleasure to see that I had made a difference in some way to those children and their families lives.

Megan Bartram 
Nursery Practitioner
 

Hello my name is Megan. Within my personal life I have recently had a baby, therefore, can relate to new parents extremely well and understand the difficulties they may face leaving their children at first. Within my work experience I have gained numerous skills such as
organisational skills, team working, time management, communication skills and the ability to use my own initiative. Throughout my work experience I also gained knowledge of the EYFS, Ofsted inspections
and the importance of safeguarding. I strive to be child-centred, self-motivated and professional at all times. Reflective practice is very important to me as I try my best to ensure I am the best practitioner I can be.

Steph Sanders
Two Year Room Practitioner

Hello my name is Stephanie and I have worked for Wheatley Hill Community Nursery for the past eight years. 
I started my journey  here in 2011 and had the pleasure of working in all three rooms.
I have provided many creche /stay and play sessions across the county working closely with family workers to provide high quality service for all. 
I am now delighted to be member of the two year room. 
I currently hold a level 3 qualification in Child care and education and have completed many training opportunities within my time here. 
This helps extend my knowledge and allows me to continue to provide a stimulating, challenging environment for children to learn and grow.
I am looking forward to the new challenges which lie ahead.

Sally Stewart
Two Year Room Practitioner

Hello, my name is Sally Stewart and I have always worked with children, in my previous role I was a nanny for a family, and the pleasure and proudness I felt from watching them grow and to know I had made a difference in their lives is amazing.


I then went on to have children of my own and from then I knew I wanted to fulfil my role within childcare, I really enjoy planning and participating in creative experiences, and I am always there to have a cuddle and share a story if you get upset.

Mia Maslin

Two Year Room

Practitioner




I am a kind and caring individual who thrives on helping support children to develop and learn within their next steps. In my previous settings I have supported children's learning following various tools such as the EYFS and how to implement this into children's day to day routines. I have knowledge that all children develop in different stages and look forward to supporting and helping in a y way I can. 

Jaye Thomas
Three Year Room Practitioner

Hello  my name is Jaye I started working for Wheatley Hill Community Nursery in 2022 providing supporting for all rooms. I have worked within childcare settings since leaving college, and have had experience in various settings and after school clubs,  one of which I was the designated safeguarding officer for, from this I took some time out to have my own children which I adore and I find this helps me to support families from a parents perceptive.
I look am looking forward to this journey, and building many memories along the way.

 Sarah Watkins
Baby Room Practitioner

Hello, my name is Sarah and I have worked at Wheatley Hill Community Nursery for five years. 
I started my journey with a Level 3 Childcare qualification and have since had many training opportunities which have extended my knowledge further. 
I have had the amazing opportunity to work in all rooms, gathering an understanding of learning and development in different ages, however I have now settled with my lovely babies. 
I have always had a passion for working with children and become invested in supporting and encouraging them to learn and develop throughout their time with us, gaining joy and pride from seeing them flourish as they grow.

Leanne Coyles 
Nursery Practitioner

Hello  my name is Leanne, I have always had a passion for working with young children, I am a very caring hardworking person with a positive personality. During my time I have worked with children ages 0-5 and I found this very rewarding. I love being around children bringing out the best of them. I am also on the PTA for school and surrounding myself around this makes me want to thrive in this sector even more.

Laura Lowery
Baby Room Lead Practitioner 

Hello my name is Laura. I started my journey here at Wheatley Hill Community Nursery in January 2017 as a full time member of the team.  
I have experience in all rooms and had the opportunity to lead many creche groups working alongside family workers. 
I have a foundation degree in Childcare and education and attended a variety of training which has extended my knowledge.  
I am very passionate and love to provide opportunities for children to reach their full potential having fun while building special memories. I am delighted to be part of the two year old room where i look forward to watching the children grow and flourish.

Pauline Bennett
Nursery Cook

Hi my name is Pauline I have the pleasure of working in our amazing nursery as the cook.
I have fantastic relationships with all the children, and I enjoy coming to nursery to see their happy faces, watching them learn, grow and play. 
I provide them with delicious and nutritious meals and snacks while at nursery adhering to all dietary requirements.

Shelby Stephenson

Apprentice Nursery Practitioner



I am passionate about working with young children and enjoy observing and supporting children within their next steps. I have gained knowledge and understanding through my college courses and placements and I have worked alongside the EYFS whilst supporting children's daily activities.
You will find me engrossed in the cosy corner, as I love to share stories with children helping to build on their communication and language.
 

Nicole Dunning
Three Year Room Practitioner

Hello, my name is Nicole Dunning, and I was a parent here at Wheatley Hill Community Nursery LTD both my children and nephew have had lots of fantastic experiences here at nursery and when the opportunity was presented to work in the nursery I couldn’t wait to apply.
I am very passionate about working with children and love to plan activities especially baking, I have worked in a nursery setting before having my own children, so childcare is my absolute heartbeat. My favourite part of children’s play is sensory creative experiences I believe there is lots of learning benefits to be had from this and of course you doesn’t like getting messy!





 

Sarah Smith

Three Year Room Practitioner

Hello, my name is Sarah. I have a passion for working with children and helping to teach and learn them to get ready for the life ahead of them whether it is moving rooms or getting ready for school. I love being creative with the children and helping them create memories which will last a lifetime. I have fond memories of my nursery/school life and I hope I will make a lasting impact on the children in my care’s life and educational journey. I am most passionate about working with older children, I enjoy my days in the 3-5 room as I feel this age is most suited to my teaching style, when I am not in the 3-5 room in my setting but walk through other rooms the children run to me and ask to draw or play games which is lovely that they want to spend time with me. I love getting involved with their games, spending most of my days playing hide and
seek, digging up bugs or helping them create pictures to take home for their families. 

Jennifer Waters
Nursery Practitioner

Hello  my name is Jennifer, Children are my passion and with the qualifications and personal
attributes I have, I believe I bring a lot to this role. I love being able to make a difference to the children's lives by providing empathy, a deep
connection and helping them learn through play. 
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