After 30 years in financial services, Karen redirected her motivation to try and help conquer childhood obesity. Through Active Kids she helps young children to develop within a healthy, safe and active environment. In order to facilitate this, Karen has achieved aFoundation Degree in Early Years along with many other training sessions including Paediatric First Aid, NVQ Level 3 in Child Development, Behaviour Management, Outdoor Play, Movement Play, Creativity. Karen's caring and common sense approach is reflected in her team, who she continuously supports to help them be the best they can be.
Ellie McPhee joined Active Kids August 2016 and has now completed her NVQ L3 in Child Development, as well as targeted courses on Motivating Boys and Maths for Toddlers. She also completed her Foundation Degree Level 5 at Trinity University in 2020. She is her mother's daughter and is proving to be a real asset to the setting with her focused and common sense approach to her role. Ellie's roles here at Active Kids are Administrative Manager and Supervisor.
As the husband of Karen McPhee, Joe has always been a partner in the business. As he was the founder of 'On The Ball' indoor football center, he is familiar with coaching children. Affectionately known these days as 'Curly Wurly' with his post Covid hairstyle, Joe is now our gardener and maintenance man and has been building fences and making obstacle courses for the children to play on.
Ellis joined our team as Apprentice in October 2022 after having worked at another local nursery for 6 months. She has a wealth of experience babysitting and was determined she wants to work with children. After her sister in law Kerri joined us Ellis couldn't wait to come too and Kerri and Ellis now work in Pre School room together and Ellis is learning very quickly, what it takes some people years to learn. Well done Ellis.
Kim is our Deputy Manager and Head Chef. One of Kim's best qualities is her very kind nature and endless patience when interacting with all our children. She listens to what they have to say, and is always encouraging them in their adventures. Kim is a huge fan of messy play, and loves to aid the children's sensory exploration in all things messy and is more recently encouraging their baking activities which are always fun.
Niamh is a great asset to our Baby Room, she is bright, bubbly, caring and patient and full of inspiration for the children. Allowing them to explore, be challenged and use all their senses when learning. Niamh is qualified to Level 2 standard with a Child Development Qualification. She joined us in January 2022 and is popular with all staff, parents and more importantly children and since joining Active Kids she has done several training courses such as Makaton, Paediatric First Aid, Introduction to Safeguarding and Supporting Birth to 2 in the EYFS. Niamh has recently been promoted to Room Leader and is relishing her new role.
Kerri has a bubbly personality, excellent communication skills and is a real asset to our setting. She loves nothing more than introducing new and exciting activities to our children to extend their learning. She is always willing to help other staff members improve their skills and has extensive IT skills and masses of common sense along wih a Level 6 Degree in Early Childhood Studies and more recently, a Senco Qualification. Kerri is our Pre-school Room Leader.