Management Team - Bouncy Bear Childcare

Lisa started in 2008 as a Nursery Nurse Assistant and has since been promoted several times to Manager of Bouncy Bear, Brendon Road. She has built up fantastic relationships with families, carers and the children, many of which continue even after they have left Bouncy Bear. Lisa continually strives to develop herself and the setting so that children get the best care and education and all families are involved and supported.

1. What is your favourite part of the job?

I love all aspects of looking after the children. I haven’t got any favourite parts as such, I just enjoy spending time with the children and helping them become their own person. I love watching them grow and making them laugh and smile or comforting them when they need it.

2. What is your least favourite part of the job?

Luckily it only happens once a year but I don’t like it when the children graduate to go school. As everyone probably knows I get very emotional and during the graduation ceremony I do tend to cry no matter how hard I try not too!!

3. What is your favourite activity with the children?

I love all types of activities from getting messy and/or being outside to role play but I do also like planning mathematical activities for the children

4. What is the funniest thing a child ever said to you?

This question is very hard as every day children say or do something funny and always make me laugh. Sometimes it isn’t what they have said but also the situation. I will always remember when a child fell into a box and jumped backed up and said, ”That’s what clowns do!” and then carried on pretending to fall over everywhere acting like a clown.

5. What are you most proud of working at Bouncy Bear?

6. What do you hope to do in the future?

Rachel started in 2010 as a Nursery Nurse Assistant and has since been promoted several times to Deputy Manager. She has just returned from Maternity Leave following the birth of her beautiful baby boy. She builds fantastic relationships with the children and families. She is positive, organised and practical, always striving to ensure every process and quality check is up to date and accurate and all the children’s individual needs are being met.

1. What is your favourite part of the job?

My favourite part of the job is seeing the children accomplish something that I have shown them and then sharing this with their peers and families.

2. What is your least favourite part of the job?

Although it is lovely for the children to start their new exciting journey in school, I never get used to seeing them leave.

3. What is your favourite activity with the children?

I love doing creative activities such as painting, cutting, gluing and sticking. I especially enjoy seeing how proud the children are of their creations.

4. What is the funniest thing a child ever said to you?

There isn't just one occasion that I can say has been the funniest as there are so many but it always makes me smile and laugh at how literal the children are and how they say exactly what they are thinking!

5. What are you most proud of working at Bouncy Bear?

I am proud of how welcoming and friendly the Bouncy Bear team are to each other and new members of staff, new children and their families. I am also proud of how happy and content the children are in the setting.

6. What do you hope to do in the future?

I hope to help the nursery go from a good Ofsted rating to outstanding at our next inspection.

Michelle started in 2010 as an Apprentice and has since been promoted several times to Deputy Manager of Bouncy Bear, Brendon Road. Michelle is a positive problem solver who always looks for a way to achieve and exceed every goal set, with a great big smile on her face. She is a confident and professional member of the time who is always willing to go the extra mile to help the children and families.

1. What is your favourite part of the job?

I love everything about my job, it is very rewarding! One of my favourite parts is seeing the children achieve different milestones, whether it be from beginning to walk, toilet training or being able to write their name, and seeing their self-confidence grow from being praised.

2. What is your least favourite part of the job?

I would say that my least favourite part would have to be when the children transition to school! It's a mix of emotions as I am very excited for them to start their new adventure, but also very sad for them to be finishing their time spent at nursery with us.

3. What is your favourite activity with the children?

I enjoy doing a variety of activities with the children, however, my favourite activities would be roleplay. I think it's amazing the way children's imaginations work and can be so much fun being a part of that and making up stories with them.

4. What is the funniest thing a child ever said to you?

Recently, when we were learning about 'Chinese New Year' the children took part in roleplay chinese takeaway where they would phone another carer and 'place their order' for dinner time. One of the children was asked "Where would you like it delivered to?" which he replied "Bouncy Bear CHARGER!" instead of 'Bouncy Bear Childcare!

5. What are you most proud of working at Bouncy Bear?

I am very proud of how the nursery has grown and progressed, even after overcoming such a big barrier as when the nursery flooded. When potential new families come to visit and say that we have been recommended to them by others it really feels like such an amazing achievement.

6. What do you hope to do in the future?

I plan to continue to stay working at Bouncy Bear and to continue achieving with both my team and the children to give them the best possible learning environment, which one day my own children would learn in too!

Sonia started in 2007 as a Nursery Nurse Assistant and has since been promoted several times to Senior Nursery Nurse. She has spent all her time in the Baby Room and has helped hundreds of babies, during her time with us, adapt to the setting, form good friendships with other children and helped make their transition to the older areas so much easier.

1. What is your favourite part of the job?

I love watching children during their freeplay. I can watch to see where their imaginations take them and then be a part of their play when they ask me to join in.

2. What is your least favourite part of the job?

The least favourite part of my job is the paperwork although I do enjoy planning activities for the children as that is focused on the children’s likes, interests and needs.

3. What is your favourite activity with the children?

My favourite activities with the children are the communication ones where I can simply sit down and talk with them and listen to their opinions.

4. What is the funniest thing a child ever said to you?

A child once said they couldn’t sit down for a meal with their friends as they were having a cup of tea and they were drinking fresh water from a toy cup!

5. What are you most proud of working at Bouncy Bear?

I am most proud of my team and how we all work together for the best interests of our children.

6. What do you hope to do in the future?

I hope to still be at Bouncy Bear and to continue to further my knowledge around childcare.