Welcome to Buntings, here is each member
of our team!

Shelley Ward - Partner

Shelley opened Buntings in January 2005 and managed it for over 2 years.
She has 7 years experience working with children of all ages and abilities.

Shelley is an active member of the scouting movement in Ware and District.

Qualifications:
Diploma in Childcare and Education Level 3
Foundation Degree in Children’s Education Level 4/5
First Aid for babies and young children
BTEC in Food Hygiene
BTEC in Safe Handling of Medicines
BA Honors in Education Studies (EY)
Early Year Professional Status (EYPS)

Special Educational Needs Coordinator
Child Protection Coordinator

Emma Edwards - Partner

Emma started at Buntings as a Deputy Manager in September 2005. She has arrived from a childminding background and has made a wonderful impact on the day to day running of the nursery. Emma opened a government pre-school in January 2006 which she runs with the help of the other members of the Buntings Team. In September 2007 Emma took over the ownership of Buntings with Shelley. Emma
has continuously studied relevant childcare qualifications and enjoys every minute
she spends with the children.

Qualifications:
First aid for babies and young children
BTEC in Food Hygiene
Diploma in Child day care
CACHE Level 3 Introducing Childminding Practice
Certificate in Early Years Practice Level 2
Certificate in Early Years Practice Level 3

Behaviour management Co-ordinator

Melanie Basham - Manager

Mel joined our team is our manager. She is wonderful in this role and has great ideas that she brings into the setting. She thinks of every baby as an individual so you can be suer that she will take the best of care in looking after your little one. Mel is a qualified teacher with many years experience. She is a mummy to Nathan and Charlotte who also comes to Buntings to keep an eye on what his mummy is up to!

Qualifications:
Qualified Teacher Status
First Aid Certificate

Sarah Blair - Deputy Manager

Sarah has always enjoyed working with children, and with three of her own she is very well experienced! Sarah has spent many years working as a private nanny for several families and has now decided to move to a daycare environment.

Sarah works with our Rainbow Room children and is also our Deputy Manager.

Qualifications:
Studying towards a level 3 qualification

Carla Wisdom - Play Leader

Carla joined our team in February 2010 and is enjoying her role with the older children. Carla has worked with children for nine years and qualified to level 3 through a work placement locally. Carla loves to get crafty with all the children and her afternoons are always filled with glue and paint!

Qualifications:
Level 3 Childcare and Education
First Aid certificate and child protection

Ruth Weatherall - Rainbow Room Play Leader

Ruth is a play leader is our rainbow room and is amazing with the pre-schoolers.
She is fluent in Mackaton signing and has been looking after children for over
10 years. She has 3 children of her own and after being a childminder is enjoying being in a nursery environment.

Qualifications:
NNEB Level 3 in Childcare and Education

Lesley Stevens - Ocean Room Play Leader

Lesley is a play leader in the Rainbow room and runs the space room. Lesley has
a wealth of experience working with children including being a foster carer and
is looking towards completing a level 4 qualification.

Qualifications:
First Aid Certificate
Child Protection Level 1
Behaviour Management
Level 3 in Childcare Practice

Keely-Ann Foulger - Play Assistant

After having her own little girl in 2010, Keely decided to move to a career in childcare. Keely has a lovely bubbly personatlity and creates wonderful relationships with the children. She is currently working in the Rainbow Room and is training towards her Level 2 qualification in childcare.

Qualifications:
Working towards a Level 2 NVQ in childcare

Ellie Watling - Play Assistant

Ellie is experienced in working in children's daycare nurseries and has two beautiful girls of her own. Ellie is an assistant in the Rainbow Room and will be training towards her Level 3 qualification.

Qualifications:
Level 2 NVQ in childcare
Working towards Level 3 NVQ

Sophie Campbell - Junior Play Assistant

Sophie originally joined the Buntings team as an under one’s helper and has quickly become a big asset to our team. Sophie has achieved her Level 2 NVQ in childcare, and is studying towards her level 3. She has built fantastic bonds with her key children and loves creating masterpieces with them!

Qualifications:
Level 2 NVQ in childcare
Working towards a Level 3 NVQ

Charlotte Jacobsen - Junior Play Assistant

Charlotte is training towards NVQ level 3. She joined us after being placed at Buntings for work experience in 2009. She is wonderful with the children and has a lovely passion for wanting a career in childcare. She is a motivated worker who lives locally and hopes to achieve her level 3 soon.

Qualifications:
Level 2 NVQ in childcare
Working towards a Level 3 NVQ

Chris McAteer - Nursery Cook

Chris joined us in January 2007 when our cook Daisy left to have her second baby. Chris has been cooking professionally for 14 years and is absolutely fantastic!

Chris is an active member of the women’s institute and also caters for
functions in her spare time. In November 2007 she was made a proud nanny
to a little boy called Miles.

Qualifications:
Advanced certificate of food hygiene