Meet our Team
The Nursery has a number of permanent staff detailed below. All staff are qualified to a minimum level 3 qualification and hold a paediatric first aid certificate and a minimum of level 2 food hygiene certificate. In addition the staff are assisted in their duties by a wide range of volunteers, including students and Early Years Practitioner trainees. We also have a team of regular supply staff who are all DBS checked.
Nursery Management
Ruth Mellard
- BA (HONS) EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP (LEVEL 6)
- EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION DEGREE (LEVEL 5)
- ADCE (LEVEL 4)
- NNEB (LEVEL 3)
- CACHE (LEVEL 3) SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR
- FIRST AID AT WORK CERTIFICATE
I have worked with children for around 40 years and I have worked at the University of York Campus Nursery for 33 years, having set up the original nursery on site. Building on other childcare qualifications, I gained a first class degree in Educational Leadership – Children’s Workforce in 2010.
Both of my children attended the Nursery from the baby unit onwards until attending a local school.
I have always enjoyed working with children, especially watching them learn, develop and blossom. I find that unlike most job roles, working with children means learning something new from them every day.
Andrea Moore
- EARLY YEARS TEACHER STATUS (LEVEL 6)
- BA (HONS) EDUCATION LEADERSHIP (LEVEL 6)
- EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION DEGREE (LEVEL 5)
- CACHE (LEVEL 3) SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR
- BTEC (LEVEL 3)
- PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID CERTIFICATE
I have worked in childcare for over 15 years, 5 of which have been at York Campus Nursery. I am the Nursery Deputy Manager and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). I hold a Foundation Degree in Young Children’s Learning and Development which I passed with Distinction, a 1st Class Degree with Honours in Educational Leadership and have attained Early Years Teacher Status. I am a mum of 4 children now aged 24, 22 and twins aged 20.
I strongly believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life and working in childcare helps me to facilitate this belief, as it gives me the opportunity, in conjunction with parents/carers, to help children develop the emotional, social, and cognitive skills needed to become confident and self-sufficient lifelong learners.
Working in childcare is fun and rewarding. There is no better sight than seeing a smile of pride spread across a child’s face when they achieve something they didn’t think they could. And there is no better sound than the laughter of children as they play and learn with their friends. I am proud to be part of an amazing team of Early Years Practitioners at York Campus Nursery, who provide high quality care and education in a fun, stimulating and safe environment.
Holly Glover
I have worked at York Campus Nursery since July 2023 after a varied career featuring roles in marketing, university administration and more recently qualifying as a secondary school teacher. I love working in educational settings and particularly meeting and getting to know our wonderful families. In my role as Nursery Administrator, I help with enquiries from parents and take care of the finance side of things.
You will find me at the reception desk between 8am and 1pm. I am married with a little daughter of my own. I am quite crafty and in my spare time I enjoy painting, sewing and getting my nose stuck into a good book.
Roxi Greenwood
Baby rooms – Dragonflies
Caron Minnitt
- Level 3 Early Years Practitioner
Harumi Ball
- Cache Level 3 for the Early Years Workforce
- PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID TRAINED
Hayley Baker
- Level 6 BA (Hons) Degree in Educational Leadership
- Level 3 qualification in Early Years
- Foundation degree (Level 4 and 5) in Young Children’s Learning and Development
Sally Morton
- NNEB (Level 3)
- Foundation Degree (Level 5)
- BA Hons
- Gravitational Leadership (Level 6)
My name is Sally, I have been working in childcare for 34 years. I am a qualified Nursery Nurse and have a degree in Education and leadership. I have worked at the York Campus Nursery in the baby room for 6 years and really enjoy it. I have had various experiences working in schools, hospitals and Nurseries. I am a mum to 3 children; 2 boys and a girl.
Omima Mohamed
- CACHE Level 3 NVQ in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
I have worked in the Early Years Foundation Stage for over 10 years now, I have thoroughly enjoyed this and keen to continue. I love working at York Campus Nursery with a fantastic team who are so supportive. I enjoy educating children by reading stories and getting involved in indoor and outdoor activities.
Baby rooms – Ducklings
Pauline Gamble
- QTS (Qualified Teacher Status)
- paediatric First Aid
- Teaching Certificate (Equivalent to Level 6)
I joined the staff team here at York Campus Nursery in January 2024 after working on a casual basis for just over a year. I worked as a Nursery Teacher and Y1 Teacher in school for over 10 years and more recently as a Children’s Centre Teacher in Leeds for many years.
Becky Tunstall
- NNEB Level 3
I qualified as a Nursery Nurse in 1989 and I have worked in childcare ever since, in both nurseries and as a private nanny.
I joined the team at York Campus Nursery in 1994 when the Baby Unit first opened and I have continued to look after the babies ever since. I take great pride helping the youngest children start their first adventures. I am also trained in Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene.
Hayley Baker
- Level 6 BA (Hons) Degree in Educational Leadership
- Level 3 qualification in Early Years
- Foundation degree (Level 4 and 5) in Young Children’s Learning and Development
Kerry Fletcher
- BA (hons) in Children, Young People and Families
- NVQ Level 3 Children’s Care, Learning and Development
- Foundation Degree in Support Learning
My name is Kerry and I have worked in nurseries as a qualified Early Years Practitioner for almost twenty years. I am mum and nanna to three grown-up children and a grandson. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, playing the piano and ukelele, reading, and crochet. I have a BA (hons) degree in Children, Young People and Families and I am currently studying for a PhD in Education. I joined York Campus Nursery in January 2024 and I love being part of the baby room team. Every day is different with a lovely mix of nurturing, singing, looking at books, messy play, following the children’s interests, and having great fun.
Louise Moffatt
- CACHE (Level 3)
- Paediatric First Aid trained
I have been working in childcare since qualifying in 2004 and joined Campus Nursery in March 2014 after having my own 2 children. I have experience of working with children under 5 but particularly enjoy working with babies.
Jamie Smyth
- PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID CERTIFICATE
- CACHE LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION (EARLY YEARS EDUCATOR)
My name is Jamie, I have 2 daughters, I have been working in childcare since 2017. I joined York Campus Nursery in May and I currently work with the babies in Ducklings from 8.30am to 1.30pm. In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym, and I have recently got into running.
Baby rooms – Cygnets
Ahlea Kydd
- BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Level 6)
- Paediatric First Aid
I started working at UoY Campus Nursery in November 2021. I have always wanted to work with children and pursued my degree in Early Years with lots of placements in different settings and schools. I absolutely love it here at UoY Campus Nursery, especially working with an outstanding team who are incredibly supportive and welcoming!
Vicky Drew
- Level 3 qualification in early years
- Paediatric first aid
After working in retail for 25 years I decided I wanted a career change and completed my level 3 in early years. I have worked in childcare for over 3 years as a practitioner and a room leader in a baby room, and have experience with children from 0-4 years old. I joined York Campus Nursery in January 2024, and really enjoy working in the baby unit, it is such a lovely fun and happy environment, everyday is different and I love watching the children in play and developing. In my spare time I love swimming, spending time with my daughter and her partner, and going on holidays/weekends away with my husband.
Ellie Fletcher
- CACHE Level 3 Qualification (Early years Educator)
I have been a qualified Level 3 Practitioner since 2021. I am also a mother to a very lovely boy. I have experience of working with ages 0-5, each one being an individually rewarding experience. In my time since 2021-2023, I studied a bricklaying course and worked in hospitality. Although i enjoyed both of these job opportunities, I realised that i missed working with children greatly and decided to join UoY. My favourite activities are building, exploring, messy play and whatever makes the children happy!
Sarah Lawrence
-
Level 3 Diploma Children and Young Peoples Workforce.
-
Paediatric First Aid
Joanne Bridgewater
- BTEC (Level 3)
- First Aid Trained
I started working at York Campus Nursery in October 2002, I have worked with children aged two to five years old.
I have always enjoyed working here as I see it like a second family. From being young I have always wanted to work with children, I love their creativity.
Also I am a mum of 4 boys and a daughter. Recently I became a nana of two beautiful granddaughters.
Toddler room
Emma Chapman
- NNEB (Level 3)
- ADCE (Level 4)
Finishing school I always knew I wanted a career working with children. I completed my training in 1998 and have worked with children since leaving college. I started working at York Campus Nursery in 2005, and have worked with children of all ages in the nursery. I had 16 years working in the baby unit and more recently moved to work with the older children. Everyday is different, which is one of the many things I enjoy about nursery. We play, we learn, and we have lots of fun.
Sarah Gabb
- NVQ in Children’s learning and development (Level 3)
- CACHE (Level 3)
I have worked at York Campus Nursery since February 2022. I have a NVQ level 3 qualification and thirty nine years experience as an Early Years practitioner. I am married and have 2 grown up children, a horse and 2 dogs.
Alex Harvey
- Level 3 diploma in children’s learning and development
I have been working in childcare since 2020 where I undertook my apprenticeship at York Campus Nursery. I have always wanted to work with children as it is very rewarding helping them to grow and develop. York Campus Nursery is a lovely place to work with such a warm and welcoming environment.
Heidi Thomson
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for the Children and Young People’s Workforce – Early Years (Advanced Practice)
- Level 3 NVQ Children’s Care Learning & Development
- Level 2 Forest School Assistant
- Paediatric First Aid Trained
Heidi Rochester
- LEVEL 3 IN EARLY YEARS AND EDUCATION PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID CACHE
- LEVEL 3 EARLY YEARS SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS COORDINATOR
Amy Braun
- Early Childhood Care
- Education / QQL (Level 4 & 5)
I have been working with children of various ages and in different settings for over 10 years. I’ve been with York Campus Nursery for the past 5 years and I have been enjoying my time here. It is a great pleasure to me to see the children growing and developing into their little personalities as well as a satisfaction knowing that I played a part in it. I love nature and it delights me to see my little charges developing the same appreciation for the outdoors.
Beth Spaven
- Studying level 3 in child care
I am currently an apprentice at the nursery studying for level 3 in child care. I love working here as the staff have been very welcoming and helpful. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to help children learn and develop.
Pre-school
Laura Macey
- Level 3 Early Years Educator Diploma
- Pediatric First Aid trained
- Level 2 in supporting learning in schools
Nicola Zendle
- PGCE Primary Lower (Level 6)
I joined our nursery in 2018. Before that I was a Nursery and Reception class teacher for many years. I love working at York Campus Nursery because everyday is different and we have such a warm and caring team.
I love working with our children and families; it’s amazing to see the children’s personalities grow and develop in the time that they are with us. I am a qualified teacher and I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience in helping to prepare the older children for school.
Clare Dowle
- Level 3 Early Years Educator
- Paediatric First Aid
I have a Biology degree and worked in the scientific sector for several years before switching to childcare after having my own two children. I previously worked for 5 years at another nursery in York before finding my home from home at York Campus Nursery in October 2022. I love the enthusiasm and warmth of all the staff and children, who welcomed me from day one; there’s always a friendly, approachable face if you need anything, however big or small. I adore the variety of working in childcare; no two days are ever the same. I especially enjoy the challenge of planning exciting and stimulating activities ‘on the spot’ when a child comes in with a new favourite interest at 8.30am!
Abbie Bos
- LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN CHILDREN’S LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT