Our Team
Karen McPhee
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 a Foundation 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
Ellie McPhee joined Active Kids August 2016 and has a 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 alng with being the housekeeper and cook part time.
Joe McPhee
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 Sutherns
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. Now, 2025 Ellis has completed her NVQ Level 3 and is on with a SENCO course and Leadership and Management. Ellis is now our Big Toddler Room Leader.
Kim Mooney
Kim is our Deputy Manager and Pre-School Room Leader. 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.
Grace Rattenbury
Grace joined us in January 2025. Working in the baby room currently, she is enjoying see how the children learn and experience life as she works her 6 months before starting her Level 3. Grace is a local Girl who has plenty of experience caring for her Neices and Nephews.
Caitlin Wilson
Caitlin joined Active Kids in June 2023. She works during the school holidays when she has a break from university, where she is studying Early Childhood Studies. Caitlin is with us around 8-10 weeks over summer, a month over Christmas and the easter break. Caitlin is now entering her final year of university and may then join us on a more permanent basis!
Abigail Mackey
Abi joined us in August 2024, she is working alongside Ellie in the small toddler room. She has 3 years experience in a previous setting and will be working towards her level 3 qualification. Abi has also studied at degree level in forensic psychology and has been a youth justice worker. It shows that Abi has a wealth of knowledge along with fantastic ideas for the children.
Diamond Depass
Diamond started with us at the end of August 2024. She has come to us straight from college where she studied for Level 1 in childcare. She is an Apprentice and will also be taking the Level 3 course after she has completed 6 months service with us.
