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 the Foundation Degree Level 5. In addition to courses aimed at Motivating Boys and Maths for Toddlers Ellie has most recently completed the Forrest School Leader course and is enjoying sharing her love of the outdoors with our children. 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.
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. Now retired Joe is now our gardener and maintenance man and has been building fences and making obstacle courses for the children to play on. He is also great at washing up when the need arises!
Ellis Sutherns
Ellis joined our team as Apprentice in October 2022 after having worked at another local nursery for 6 months. Whilst at Active Kids, Ellis has completed her NVQ Level 3 and is now working towards the Level 5 qualification. She has taken on the role of SENCO and has a keen interest in supporting children with special educational needs. Ellis is also now our Big Toddler Room Leader and as such is becoming somewhat an expert on toilet training!
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 passionate about children's learning, and in addition to being focussed on school readiness, loves planning exciting science experiments and encouraging their baking activities which are always fun. Kim already has the NVQ Level 3 and is now working towards the Level 5 qualification.
Grace Rattenbury
Grace joined us in January 2025 and is now working towards her NVQ Level 3. Grace is primarily based in our Big Toddler room and is enjoying see how the children learn and experience life as she helps plan activities with Ellis. Grace is a local girl who has plenty of experience caring for her family members as well as working in a local play centre.
Caitlin Wilson
Caitlin joined Active Kids in June 2023 while she was at Liverpool University studying towards her childcare degree. She has now completed all her studies and is qualified to Level 6 and has now joined us on a permanent basis as our Baby Room Leader. Caitlin has a lovely nature and is very attentive to the needs of our youngest children and is much appreciated by our parents.
Abigail Mackey
Abi joined us in August 2024, and is working alongside Caitlin 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. She is now a mother herself and is currently on maternity leave but will be back with us in Autumn 2026.
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 currently on maternity leave and will be returning to work in January 2026 as an Apprentice and will then be taking the Level 3 course in Child development. She also has a wealth of experience caring for her younger family members.
