Staff....

ELLY

I registered as a childminder in September 2012 when I started up EllyTotts. I had previously worked in a nursery where I gained my NVQ level 3 in 'Childcare Learning and Development'. I also worked in a school as a one-to-one teaching assistant for an 8-year-old girl where I completed my Teaching Assistant NVQ, MaKaTon to level 8 and various other education courses. I then taught abroad for a year where I learnt that my passion is to educate. I thought about training to be a teacher, but decided that the British education system is too confined and wanted a way to help children learn in a more practical way. I attended the homebased childcare course, enabling me to register with Ofsted, and then started my plans to turn the old Barn into a setting thriving in ways to educate. Once I was happy with all the ways the Barn could help children learn and develop, I decided to continue my proffessional development by doing my NVQ level 5 - 'Leadership in the Children and Young People's Workforce' - and in July 2019 graduated with a 2:1 in Educational Studies. I am now studying for my masters and to gain teaching status. I love every hands on moment with the children who attend and find their interest and enjoyment in learning so fullfilling. I love the opportunites to have fun, particularly through music and dance, and find it so rewarding watching all the children develop great confidence and character. 

JESS

I joined EllyTotts in 2017 when I moved to Cawood with my family. Through EllyTotts offering an apprenticeship, I qualified as a Level 3 practitioner in December 2019 and have continued to develop my theoretical knowledge of children's development alongside working, as well as progressing in other aspects of the running of a small business leading to my promotion to deputy manager in 2021. I have been around kids most of my life with having two younger brothers and also lots of younger family members which inspired me to follow this career path. I have always enjoyed playing with children and looking after them, and am now fortunate enough to have backed this practical skill with academic research to ensure I provide the best level of care. I love teaching the children new things and helping them to develop new skills as they grow into their own person and develop their own personalities. 

CLAIRE

I have always wanted to work with children and started working in a nursery in 2000. I now have many years experience under my belt in a variety of roles: nurseries, holiday play schemes, pre-school and my own children (Nathan born in 2002 and Ella in 2004). I completed my level 3 in Early Years in 2011 and have since undertaken additional training in areas I feel really passionate about, such as a level 2 in Child Nutrition. I love being down at the children's level and engaging in their play, it is so rewarding when children involve you and open the door to interacting. 

EMILY

I have been involved with EllyTotts since opening in 2012. When EllyTotts first opened I was a 14-year-old girl in the village who was grateful of a place to do some work experience close to home, whilst I made decisions about what I wanted to do when leaving secondary school. As soon as I was old enough, I became an employee and have worked at EllyTotts alongside my studies since. I am due to graduate my Primary Education degree in 2021. My dissertation is on physical activity and the benefits of exercise in creating a positive learning environment; and it has been wonderful to carry out these practicals with EllyTotts over lockdown to ensure the children (and staff) have a really positive outlook and strong emotional well-being. 

KAREN

I have worked in childcare for over 40 years in a variety of positions and settings ranging from hospitals to schools and most recently nurseries. I am currently the general manager of a nursery in York 4 days a week and use my 5th day and evenings to help around the Barn.

I registered as a childminder in January 2016 so that my support to the Barn could be more permanent.

The years of experience I have from both working in childcare and being a parent myself (to Elly and her sister) and now a grandparent, ensure I bring a variety of activities and ideas to the table.

Having lived in Cawood for over 30 years, I really enjoy the opportunity to take the children out and explore the natural world in our community. We have recently planted snowdrops around the village and watering them is a great opportunity to get out and about. 

PARKER

Parker is our resident dog and probably the children's favourite member of the staff team!

Parker came to EllyTotts in May 2018 to train as a therapy dog and although he now volunteers at many places throughout Yorkshire, EllyTotts is his favourite!

He enjoys lying down to demonstrate good listening skills at story-time, but his favourite thing is playing outside with the children - especially when they play ball games, go on the trampoline or set up obstacle courses!