TOADHALL MONTESSORI NURSERIES, MEITHRIN AND OUT OF SCHOOL ACADEMY
Prioprietor / Principal Manager
Sandy Clayton
Sandy has a BA Hons Degree in Education and is a qualified primary teacher specialising in early years care and education. Sandy is currently undertaking MA in Early years. She has also qualified as an Additional Needs Co-ordinator (ANCO). Sandy is responsible for overseeing the leadership and management of Toadhall Nursery and Creche and providing in-house and external training to continually enhance the professional development of the team, thus improving overall practice and standards.
Senior Operational Manager
Jackie Bostanci
Jackie gained her CCLD Level 4 in childcare in 2008 and completed a 10‑day Art of Leadership course in 2010. Jackie has also qualified as an Additonal Needs Co-ordinator (ANCO) and has completed a Parent Nurturing course with Family Links. She has recently completed a five day fully accredited Montessori training course which will lead to her becoming a fully trained Montessori teacher. Jackie is responsible for the day-to-day running and overseeing of Creche and Nursery.
Introducing the childcare team at Toadhall
All childcare staff employed by Toadhall are either ADCE, Btec/NNEB/NVQ/QCF Level 2 and/or Level 3 to Level 5 qualified. In addition, we have QCF trainees who undergo continual assessment within the workplace, ie Nursery and/or Creche, who are working towards Levels 2 and 3 of the national occupational standards in children’s care, learning and development. (NB – attainment of Level 3 is equivalent to the NNEB qualification).
Toadhall Nursery and Creche also employs a Registration & Finance manager, who works part-time, a cook, who works part time and a full-time maintenance manager and a wrap around care co-ordinator.
All staff undergo an enhanced CRB police check in accordance with the Criminal Records Bureau and CSSIW requirements.
All our staff possess a wealth of experience together with an in-depth knowledge of child development and early years education. Our Nursery assistants work towards an NVQ Level 3, with training and support from the setting managers. In addition to in-house training opportunities, Toadhall is committed to the continuous professional development of staff. All staff members have completed all mandatory training in relation to Safeguarding Children, First Aid, Food Hygiene, Manual Handling etc. at a level in line with their roles and responsibilities.
NB – CCLD level 5 is now the equivalent of a CCLD level 4
Nursery Team
Nursery Manager
Rachael Witts
Rachael gained her NVQ Level 3 in childcare in 2007 and achieved a CCLD Level 4 qualification in 2011. Rachael is currently undertaking a 10-day Art of Leadership course and is shortly due to complete her Forest School Leader training.
Nursery Deputy Manager
Louise Hugo
Louise gained her NVQ Level 3 in childcare in 2006 and achieved a CCLD Level 4 qualification in 2008. Louise also completed a 10-day Art of Leadership course in 2011.
Senior Early Years Practitioner / Key Worker
Rachael Witts
(Toadies)
Level 4 CCLD
Kathryn Jones
(Badgers)
Level 3 CCLD
Louise Hugo
(Moles)
Level 4 CCLD
Floating Early Years Practitioners / Keyworkers
Kathryn Jones
(Part-Time)
Level 3 CCLD
Apprentice Early Years Practitioner
Bethan Griffiths
Bethan has been employed under the Jobs Growth Wales scheme and, following the successful completion of her probationary period, will commence CCLD Level 2 training
Creche Team
Creche Manager
Carrie Charles
Carrie gained her CCLD Level 5 in childcare in 2014. She has recently completed a five day fully accredited Montessori training course which will lead to her becoming a fully trained Montessori teacher. She also completed a 10-day Art of Leadership Course in 2014.
Creche Deputy Manager
Louise Hugo
Alisha gained her CCLD Level 3 in 2010. Alisha completed a Leading Teams course in 2013 and is currently undertaking QCF Level 5.
Nia Edwards
Nia was awarded a BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies in 2007 and gained an MA in Developmental and Therapeutic Play in 2014.
Senior Early Years Practitioner / Key Worker
Nia Edwards
(Tadpoles)
Nia was awarded a BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies in 2007 and gained an MA in Developmental and Therapeutic Playin 2014
Esther Atabong
(Tiddlers)
Level 3 CCLD
Alisha Hardacre
(Otters)
Level 3 CCLD
Early Years Practitioners / Key Worker
Jenny Keenor
(Tadpoles)
Level 3 CCLD
Dionne Shugar
(Tiddlers)
Level 3 CCLD
Dionne Green
(Otters)
Currently undertaking Level 2 CCLD
Apprentice Early Years Practitioner
Laura John
Laura has been employed under the Jobs Growth Wales scheme and, following the successful completion of her probationary period, will commence CCLD Level 2 training
OUR TEAM
WHY OUR STAFF ARE SO AMAZING!
Toadhall Montessori Nurseries, Meithrin and Out of School Academy Teams
All staff employed by Toadhall Montessori, are chosen for their passion, commitment, dedication and early years professionalism to working with young children, primary children and their families, sharing the same vision, mission statement, values and aims of the organisation, to ensure every child in their care becomes ‘the best they can be’.
All our early years practitioners/keyworkers are qualified to Level 2, Level 3, Level 4,Level 5 and above. Some of our staff are also qualified to Undergraduate Degree Level 6 in Early Childhood Studies. We also have members of staff who are qualified to Master’s degree, Level 7, in early years and associated practice.
Toadhall Montessori is particularly proud of the fact that over 85% of staff are qualified to at least Level 2 or 3 in CCPLD and/or Play Work. Out of this 85% qualified staff,15% have either gained or are working towards CCLDP Levels 4 and 5.
We are extremely proud of the fact that some of the staff at Toadhall Montessori have been with us for many years, showing, commitment, dedication and loyalty to the organisation and the vision and values that Toadhall Montessori upholds.
We are also proud of the fact that we also employ staff to undertake their Level 2 and 3 Apprenticeship in Children’s Care, Learning, Play and Development (CCLPD) and /or Play Work. They experience an in-house induction and training programme that ensures they develop high quality early years practice which supports the high standards which Toadhall Montessori continuously works to.Staff also undertake the All Wales Induction Framework and embrace the All Wales Early Years Practitioner Code of Conduct.
All staff working as keyworkers with the children at Toadhall Montessori work a four-day week from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. We have been implementing this system for over 28 years, as we feel it creates a better work/life balance, which is essential to ensure staff are well motivated and energised within the organisation.
This working pattern also allows staff to develop their early years careers by giving them more time to study on their day off.
Staff health and wellbeing is high on our agenda, and it is one of the many reasons why Toadhall Montessori has gained the Investors in People Gold Award, on two occasions, the latest accreditation being in December 2017.We are currently working towards gaining our Investors in People Platinum Award.
Due to our staff working patterns, we have a leadership and management team in place, to ensure that at least two team leaders are available at any one time. This ensures the smooth running and day to day organisation of the Creche, Nursery, Meithrin and Out of School Academy.
The leadership and management team at Toadhall Montessori, attend specific areas of training for their role, including the in house ‘Art of Leadership’ programme. This programme incorporates the ‘Neuro Linguistic Programming’ (NLP), transformational approach to inspire leadership and management. Toadhall, believes firmly, that this ‘transformational’ approach to leadership and management matches the Montessori approach to teaching and learning, thus enhancing the provision and organisational performance.
Each setting has 2 Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSL’s) ,who are trained in Safeguarding and following through on any safeguarding concerns ,which may require making a referral to the Safeguarding Team within social services.
All staff undergo ‘Enhanced DBS Checks’, which are completed every three years in accordance with CIW requirements.
All staff at Toadhall Montessori, possess a wealth of both personal and professional experience, together with an in-depth knowledge of child development and early years and primary education.
Toadhall Montessori strongly believes that staff are the most important resource and as such, invest a great deal in the ‘Continual Professional Development’ (CPD), of every member of the team. Toadhall Montessori believes a highly trained workforce equates to higher quality provision, which, in turn, means higher outcomes and achievements for every child.
All Early Years Practitioners/Keyworkers attend in house and external training, including-
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
- Participation
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- The role of the Designated safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- The PREVENT Duty
- Equal Opportunities, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti Racism
- Health and Safety
- Preventing Cross Infection in Childcare Settings
- Risk Assessment
- Paediatric First Aid (12-hour course)
- Food Hygiene
- Manual Handling
- COSHH
All staff can attend external training, to enhance their CPD. Staff are actively encouraged to continually reflect upon their performance and identify areas in their professional early years practice that, with additional training and support, will improve their own performance, their team and the organisation, which in turn provides better outcomes for the children.
In addition, Toadhall Montessori provides an extensive in-house training programme, across all areas of provision, for all staff. This includes all staff attending training on the ‘Montessori Approach in the 21st Century’.
All the above in-house and external training programmes promote individual, team and organisational performance and ensures Toadhall Montessori Nurseries, Meithrin and Out of School Academy, three-year Business Development Plan is fulfilled, all of which contributes significantly to Toadhall Montessori, both maintaining and continually enhancing, the highest standards of care and education for all who use our service.
At Toadhall Montessori Nurseries, Meithrin and Out of School Academy, we are proud to say we are the first childcare setting in Wales to gain the Millie’s Mark accreditation in all our settings. Whilst all staff are qualified in Paediatric First Aid (12 hour course), we feel this is an amazing opportunity to ensure all staff are confident and competent in delivering First Aid to any child in our care, in any situation. The accreditation has been a very in-depth process, allowing us to reflect upon every aspect of our early years practice and ensure every child is kept safe and secure during their time with us, which in turn gives complete peace of mind for all parents.
For all of the above reasons our dedicated, passionate, highly trained and experienced staff are truly amazing and aim to ensure that every child in their care, ‘becomes the best they can be’
Meet the Senior Leadership Team at Toadhall Montessori Nurseries and Out of School Academy
Sandy Clayton - Owner / Registered Individual and Principal Leader
Miss Sandy has been Owner, Registered Individual and Principal Leader, at Toadhall Montessori Nurseries and Out of School Academy for 39 years and has a BA Hons Degree in Education. She is a qualified Primary Teacher, specialising in early years care and education. Sandy has completed her Montessori Teacher Certificate and has also gained an MA in ‘Leadership & Management’ and ‘Coaching to Inspire Leadership’. She has also qualified as an Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCO), a Family Links Parent Nurturing Leader, an OCN Level 3 Forest School Leader, Coastal School Leader and has gained the Level 3 qualification, in Playwork.
She is also a qualified, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Miss Sandy is responsible for strategic development within the organisation. She also oversees the leadership and management of Toadhall Montessori and writes and delivers in house training programmes, to continually enhance the professional development of the Toadhall Montessori team, thus improving overall practice and standards. This in turn, ensures high quality early years provision.
Sandy oversees curriculum development within the Creche, Nursery and Out of School Academy and has worked extensively with Welsh Government to develop the Non-Maintained Sector Curriculum, which was published in January 2022 and the Assessment Framework to support this curriculum.
Sandy also acts as an Early Years Consultant and Trainer to other early years settings throughout Wales.
Rachael Witts – Additional Person in Charge to all our settings and Senior Operational Leader
Miss Rachael has been employed at Toadhall Montessori for over 25 years and has gained her CCLD Level 3 and CCLD Level 5. Rachael has completed the 10-Day Art of Leadership external training, along with our 8-session in-house Leadership and Management training course. She is a qualified OCN Level 3 Forest School Leader. She is also a qualified, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Miss Rachael has worked at both the creche and nursery sites and has gained excellent knowledge understanding and experiences about Toadhall Montessori as an organisation.
Miss Rachael is registered as our emergency Person in Charge for all our sites. She is also Senior Operational Leader at Toadhall Montessori Nurseries and Out of School Academy.
She works very closely with Miss Sandy and oversees all our sites within Toadhall Montessori. This means she is responsible for overseeing the effective and efficient running of the Creche, the Nursery, the Out of School Academy, the Meithrin and our Flying Start programmes.
The Creche Senior Leadership Team
Hayley Gould – Person in Charge/Creche Leader / Senior Keyworker to the Otters group
Miss Hayley has gained her Level 3, 4 and 5 qualifications in Children’s Care, Learning, Development and Play and has successfully led and managed various other childcare settings. She is also a qualified ,Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
As Person in Charge and Creche Leader, Miss Hayley is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the day-to-day organisation, leadership and management of the creche.
She also works closely with Miss Rachael, Senior Operational Leader and Miss Sandy, Owner, Registered Individual and Principal Leader, to ensure the best outcomes for all the children, staff and parents.
Eve Reddy – Creche Deputy Leader /Senior Keyworker to the Tiddlers group
Miss Eve is a qualified Level 3 Early Years Practitioner/Keyworker. She has also gained her Level 4 qualification. She is also a qualified, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
As Deputy Leader, she supports Miss Hayley in her role as Creche Leader and acts as Creche Leader in Miss Hayley’s absence. Miss Eve is also Senior Keyworker for the Tiddlers group.
The Nursery Senior Leadership Team
Abbigayle Fricker – Person in Charge/Nursery Leader/Senior Keyworker to the Toadies group
Miss Abbi has been at Toadhall Montessori for 15 years and has gained her CCPLD Level 3 and completed the ILM Level 2 in Leading Teams. She has also completed her CCLD Level 5, along with Toadhall’s in house, 8 session, Leadership and Management programme. She is also a qualified ,Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
As Person in Charge and Creche Leader, Miss Abbi is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the day-to-day organisation, leadership and management of the nursery.
Miss Abbi is also Senior Keyworker to the Badgers group.
She also works closely with Miss Rachael, Senior Operational Leader and Miss Sandy, Owner, Registered Individual and Principal Leader, to ensure the best outcomes for all the children, staff and parents.
Leah Collins – Creche Deputy Leader/Senior Keyworker to the Toadies Group
Miss Leah is a qualified Level 3 Early Years Practitioner/Keyworker. She has also gained her Level 4 qualification. She is also a qualified, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
As Deputy Leader, she supports Miss Abbi in her role as Nursery Leader and acts as Nursery Leader in Miss Abbi’s absence. Miss Leah is also Senior Keyworker for the Toadies group.
Meithrin (Welsh Nursery) Leadership Team
Meithrin Leader/Senior Keyworker
We are in the process of recruiting a fluent Welsh speaker to lead and manage our new Meithrin setting. They will be committed to providing the best Welsh speaking nursery setting, within the Montessori approach to teaching and learning.
Out of School Academy Senior Leadership Team
Carolyn Downes – Person in Charge/Leader of the Out of School Academy/ Senior Play Leader
Miss Carolyn is our Out of School Academy Leader. She has worked in childcare settings for many years and has gained her Levels 3 CCPLD and Level 3 in Play Work She is currently working towards her CCPLD Level 4.Miss Carolyn has successfully led several after school clubs as well as her own After School business. She understands the importance of the role of Person in Charge and Out of School Academy Leader. She is also a qualified, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Miss Carolyn is responsible for the day-to-day leadership, management and organisation of the Out of School Academy. She works closely with Miss Rachael, Senior Operational Leader and Miss Sandy, Owner/Principal Leader.
Callum Iles – Out of School Academy Deputy Leader/Senior Playworker
Mr Callum joined the OSA in 2021. He has gained his Level 3 Play Work qualification and has gained extensive childcare experiences working across the full age range of 0 to 12 years. Mr Callum supports Miss Carrie, OSA Leader in the day-to-day leadership and management of the Out of School Academy. Mr Callum is currently working towards his Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) qualification.
Maddy Findlay – Out of School Academy Deputy Leader/Senior Playworker
Miss Maddy joined the OSA in September 2023. She has gained her Level 3 CCPLD qualification and her level 3 qualification in Playwork. Miss Maddy is currently working towards his Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) qualification.
She has gained extensive childcare experiences working across the full age range of 0 to 12 years. She supports Miss Carrie, OSA Leader, in the day-to-day leadership and management of the Out of School Academy.
We also have staff within the teams who have additional responsibilities for certain aspects of the curriculum, they are:-
We also have staff within our team who specialise in certain areas and have responsibility to develop a programme of activities for all children in our settings
Miss Elinor who is our ‘Musician /Vocal Coach and Drama Teacher in Residence’. Miss Elinor delivers and amazing music, dance, drama and performing arts programme for the children, using English and Welsh, within the Creche, Nursery, Meithrin and Out of School Academy settings.
Miss Georgia is our ‘Artist in Residence’ who delivers a wonderfully creative programme for the children in all our settings, to develop all aspects of ‘the Arts’, including Art history and appreciation, Creative ‘art techniques’, using various art techniques and mediums in 2D and 3D formats and using Photography to create various art forms.
Having amazing ‘specialists’ on our team, enables the children to have additional experiences that are second to none, which enhances every child’s learning and development.
Mr Jon is our qualified and highly experienced Outdoor Instructor and Technical Advisor for the Out of School Academy and joins the team during the Easter and Summer Holidays to provide exciting and challenging outdoor experiences for all children from aged 4 to 12 years. He has gained his Level 3 qualification in Play Work.
Catering Staff
Jordan Vowles – Chef working in our Level 5 rated kitchen
Miss Jordan joined the team in September 2020. She is a qualified chef and has gained a lot of experience in several busy restaurants. She works five mornings providing freshly prepared and highly nutritious meals for all the children at Creche, Nursery and the Out of School Academy, ensuring all individual needs are fully met. Miss Jordan ensures our 4-weekly breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea and snack menus meets all the requirements of our Healthy Eating Policy and Gold Standard Healthy Snack Award.
STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS
Toadhall Montessori Nurseries, Meithrin and the Out of School Academy welcomes students and volunteers. We are proud of the fact that we have had many students from various colleges and universities in Cardiff and the Vale, which has enabled them to get high quality experiences and training within our Montessori childcare settings. We have also welcomed volunteers who want to contribute to the day-to-day routines of our settings. This enables them to get valuable experiences of working with children, which may give them the opportunity to develop a career in Childcare.
All students and volunteers are subject to our robust Recruitment and Selection process and undertake an Enhanced DBS
If you are a student looking for a college or university placement or are a volunteer who would like to gain valuable experience within the sector, please contact us at office@toadhallmontessorinurseries.co.uk
WORK WITH US
We are always looking for people who are dedicated, passionate, creative and hard working who want to develop a career in Childcare. If you would like to join our Toadhall Montessori ‘Family’, please send your current CV to office@toadhallmontessorinurseries.co.uk
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