Cherries is a natural progression from Apples. Our babies are beginning to move onto the next stage when, as well as enjoying the care, hugs and fun of their first room, they are starting to show a greater sense of adventure, a need to explore and the start of the social connections which turn into friendships as they progress through nursery. They will build on the activities they started in Apples; using different materials to mark make, exploring sand and water and joining in with and starting to dance to stories, songs and music, some which are familiar and others which will become familiar. Their grasp of hand/eye co-ordination will become stronger and the garden will provide plenty of opportunities to develop physical abilities while they are having fun in the fresh air. The children are encouraged and supported throughout the day. They are talked to and listened to; they are helped and encouraged in their journey towards independence, learning to wash their own hands and faces, and showing growing pride in their ability to feed themselves. A developing empathy towards others is strongly encouraged with an emphasis on turn taking and sharing and the boundaries that are in place, with encouragement and support, help to make good behaviour the norm.
Natalie joined Monkton in 2008 and has experienced time with both the younger and older age groups. She is qualified to NVQ Level 3. Natalie has also trained in Early Years' Nutrition, 'Tots Talk' and Behaviour Management. Natalie is mother to Imogen.
Sue is a fully qualified Nursery Practitioner with over sixteen years experience in childcare. Her kindness, gentleness and total competence with the children has ensured that she has fitted in perfectly at Monkton.
As one of our Senior members of staff, Margaret has been employed at Monkton since 1993 and joined Monkton straight from school. She has gained valuable experience with each of the age groups, and only recently moved back to the younger range, where she offers a warm and stimulating day to our youngest children. This experience has made her the perfect choice to head up our new age group (18 months – 2years) in 2016. She has made sure that the room is a lively and exciting place to be, where the children are encouraged to grow, learn and become more independent, but where hugs and cuddles are freely available if it all gets a bit scary! She is also a mother to Isabella.
Nikki is Sue’s niece. She qualified as a paediatric cardiac nurse at The Royal Brompton Hospital and then spent time at Alder Hey. She then started a family and found the shift work of nursing impossible to juggle with family life and so made the decision to re-train in childcare. She joined Monkton in 2018 and has immediately become a popular member of the team. She is now commencing her Early Years Teacher qualification.
Lauren started at Monkton as our trainee Nursery Practitioner and she has gone on to gain her NVQ2 and NVQ3 in Childcare. She is a hugely competent practitioner who has shown skill in working with any nursery age group. She is much loved in Cherries.
Tara has a BA in Childhood and Youth Studies and an NVQ Level 3 in childcare. Her previous experience in the care industry has given her a great deal of empathy for the needs of others and having her own young daughter, Riva, has ensured that she is bright, bubbly and fun and very aware of the needs of this age group. She has now commenced her next challenge of a Degree in Health and Social Care, and she remains at Monkton part time whilst completing her studies. We don’t want her to ever leave!