Our Staff

Joanne - Nursery Proprietor/Manager

Hello my name is Joanne. I own and manage Kinder Park Nursery.

I qualified in 1988 from Carlisle College with an N.N.E.B certificate.

I fulfilled my childhood ambition to own a nursery, when we established at Kinder Park in 1991, at the age of 22.

This is a very rewarding career working with and caring for young children and their families. My role as manager is made easier by the brilliant team of staff I employ, who are enthusiastic and motivated, who share my passion of providing high quality childcare and education in a homely environment.

My spare time is spent with my family and our Dalmatian, enjoying ‘camping trips’ in the better weather! Along with shopping and nights out.

Kath - Assistant Manager - Blue Room

My name is Kath and I qualified as an N.N.E.B in 1990 and have worked with children ever since.

I joined Kinder Park Nursery in 2000 on a part time basis and now hold a full time position as Assistant Manager. I enjoy being a member of the Kinder Park team, partly because I know that we do our utmost to provide the highest quality child care provision, but also because of the camaraderie that we share.

I have enjoyed many social occasions with my colleagues, including a trip to the local dancercise class, where I threw myself into this so much that I dislocated my right knee cap, Ouch! Realising that “extreme sports” maybe was not my thing and I have had to make do with a much quieter life!

I enjoy socialising with friends, eating out, shopping for a bargain, cooking and looking out for what’s new at the flicks.

Katy - Deputy Manager - Yellow Room

Hi my name is Katy and I passed my N.N.E.B qualification in 1994.

I have lived in Carlisle all my life except for one fantastic year, living in the United States and a very cool season working in the French Alps.

I have worked with children since I left school and find it very rewarding, although I still hope to make it as a big Broadway actress one day (dream on!). My obsessions are with dancing and singing (I am a member of the Carlisle Musical Society) and often share this love with the children! I also love music, going to the theatre, London and any American City!

I have worked at Kinder Park Nursery since 1998 and I am the Deputy Manager, and I am getting ready to receive my longstanding and outstanding employee award! (If someone could remind the boss about this!)

I love working in the nursery, it’s wonderful to be part of a fantastic team and that’s what we are.

Pamela - Baby Room Supervisor

My name is Pamela and I joined Kinder Park Nursery whilst completing my NVQ level 3 in 2000.

Childcare and Education was a complete change of direction, having worked in the retail trade from a young age.

My own children are 21 & 16 years of age now and both attended a pre-school nursery whilst I worked, I therefore feel I have an appreciation and understanding of the needs of working parents having been on both sides of the fence.

My passion is caring for babies under two and I am extremely proud of the facility my colleagues and I offer in the baby room.

I believe children are precious and never ceased to be amazed at their potential.

I have continued with my professional development currently at the end of my NVQ 4 and am delighted to be a part of such a successful nursery team.

I have been described by others as a passionate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable person in childcare.

I call myself ‘Head of Resources’ and am known for my bargains that I pick up in charity shops or car boot sales.

Pam - Nursery Practioner - Blue Room

My name is Pam, I am married with 2 fab children and 3 energetic grandchildren.

I gained my NVQ level 3 in April 2002, and have been a part time member of the team at Kinder Park Nursery since then.

My passion is travel and I am always planning the next holiday; be it camping or something more luxurious!

I like to relax at weekends catching up with friends, having a meal and a tall glass of something cold and fizzy.

Nicola - Nursery Practioner - Yellow Room

Hi my name is Nicola and I have a Diploma in Childcare and Education level 3, which I gained in 2002.

I am originally from Barrow-in-Furness and moved to Carlisle in 1998, I have lots of family down there and miss them all loads, but try to visit as often as I can, it was a hard move as I was only 14 at the time, but I have now finally settled in Carlisle and live with my fiancé.

I have now worked at Kinder Park Nursery for 5 years and I really enjoy it.

Victoria - Nursery Practioner - Baby Room

Hello, my name is Victoria.

I qualified in 2003, with a Diploma in Child Care and Education, and started working at Kinder Park Nursery in 2004.

I work full time in the baby room and really enjoy each and every day, caring for and having fun with the children.

It is lovely to see each child progress through the baby room and then on through the rest of the nursery, it is also very nice to see families as they return to the nursery when younger siblings arrive.

I feel privileged to spend my week in a fantastic environment with a great team of people.

On a weekend, I can often be found shopping, either in Carlisle or further a field. I love an opportunity to go to a concert or show, having been to Newcastle to see a few. I also like going for meals with my family and friends.

Clare - Nursery Practioner - Blue Room

My name is Clare and I am a NVQ3 qualified Nursery Nurse.

I first began at Kinder Park Nursery as a student working towards achieving my qualification. In my second year of training, I was successful in becoming a permanent member of Kinder Park’s team.

From a young age it has always been an ambition of mine to work with children. I feel extremely privileged to be part of Kinder Park Nursery’s team, due to the high quality child care provision that we provide.

In my spare time I love to ‘shop til I drop’, always keeping an eye out for a good bargain, especially on a pair of Topshop shoes!

I also enjoy spending time socialising and catching up with my friends and family and have a real good girlie gossip.

Lynsey - Nursery Practioner - Baby Room

Hello my name is Lynsey, I now live in Carlisle, but originally from Penrith where I grew up and took my Diploma in childcare. I have had lots of different experiences in childcare; during my courses I had placements in a hospice, Children’s unit in a hospital and a Special Education Needs School where I thoroughly enjoyed my time.

I have worked at Kinder Park Nursery since October 2006 and love every minute of my time here! I feel very proud to work with such a lovely committed team.

I have worked with children for over 5 years now, since I qualified as a nursery nurse in 2002. It has always been a dream of mine to work with children from an early age and feel very passionate about my job, as I find it very rewarding, caring for and supporting young individuals.

Before I worked at Kinder Park Nursery I worked in another nursery where I worked with a range of ages from babies to pre-school, which has given me lots of experience and understanding.

I now work in the baby room at Kinder Park and thoroughly enjoy it. Each day is very rewarding caring for the babies and having lots of fun together!

Kath - Office Administrator

My name is Kath and I am a part time office administrator at Kinder Park Nursery.

I am married and have two children. I started my working life after leaving school at 16 working for Boots the Chemist and then moved into office work with Boots Opticians then doing office work for the NHS and also in a primary school, and have always had customer/parent contact within my jobs.

I enjoy coming to work at the nursery as everyone is very kind and friendly and the children really brighten my day up.

Anita - Cook

My name is Anita and I have just recently been given the position of Cook, which is something that I am extremely excited about. I have to admit that I have been bitten by the bug that is ‘Jamie Oliver’ & feel that one day he may actually take over the world! But for now he has succeeded in changing the face of school dinners.

I feel it is even more important for nursery age children to receive the same standards of well balanced nutritional meals, as they will then go on to make healthy and informed food choices throughout their lives.

As a busy working mum of two, I know how hard it can be to always offer a home cooked meal therefore it is lovely to know, that, when your child is in nursery they will be receiving a well planned & healthy meal. Oh & it makes picnics so much more fun!