Our aim is for nursery to feel like an extension of home and family. Many of our staff have children of their own and ensure that the care and love they give is what they would expect for their own little ones.
Here at Dream Big Little One we put paramount importance on training and ensuring that everything we do keeps our little one safe. All our team members have up to date Paediatric First Aid qualifications and annual Safeguarding training.
Our training is lead by our nursery training consultant Katie Malley. As an NSPCC Associate and Accredited Safer Recruitment Trainer, Katie has a wide range of training skills and knowledge to support any organisation. A qualified Trauma Informed Practitioner and trainer with Trauma Informed Schools UK, Katie has a wealth of experience in trauma informed practice and safeguarding which enables her to support organisations to develop a culture of safety and support for all. With this in mind, Katie qualified as a 200hr Certified Yoga Teacher and Meditation Teacher so she could share the benefits Yoga can have on wellbeing. As part of her wellbeing work, Katie is also a Massage in School Programme (MISP) Instructor, which allows her to train schools to facilitate MISP for their children. Katie is also an Associate Trainer for Interface Enterprises Ltd.
Sonja
BA Hons Early Childhood Education, QTS, NPQH, SLE, JP
Advanced Safeguarding. Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. Paediatric First Aid.
Sonja is our Nursery Owner. Having worked in education for many years she is passionate about children getting the best possible start in life. Sonja works closely with Pam and the management team to oversee the whole nursery.
Pam
Level 3 Childcare
Designated Safeguarding Lead. Paediatric First Aid
Pam is our highly experienced Nursery Manager. Pam has been part of the team for over 20 years. She is responsible for all the nursery team and works incredibly hard to ensure standards are the highest they can be.
Hannah
Level 3 Childcare
Level 5 Management
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. Paediatric First Aid.
Hannah is our super experienced Deputy Manager. Hannah has worked in childcare for many years. Hannah is passionate about working with children and is our nursery’s Communication Champion. Hannah leads the Pre-School Room. Hannah and the Pre-School Team work hard on developing skills and fostering curiosity that are key to this age group. At Dream Big Little one we have great links with our local schools and Hannah ensures that transitions for our little ones to primary schools are as smooth as possible.
Christine
Legal Accounts Diploma. Paediatric First Aid
Christine is Sonja’s mum and finance lead for the nursery. Christine has many years’ experience in Legal Practice Management and Accounts Departments. Christine is passionate about children reading and can often be found in the nursery library or in the book corner leading Storytime sessions.
Grace
Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Grace is part of our Baby Room team and has worked at Dream Big Little One since she qualified. Grace’s caring and nurturing nature means that she is just perfect to give lots of cuddles and care to our babies.
Kirsten
Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Kirsten is our lead for Explorers. Kirsten is super dedicated to the children’s development and with her team works hard to support the children in developing independence which is key to this age group.
Samantha
Nursery Assistant
Level 2 working towards Level 3
Paediatric First Aid
Sam has the privilege of working across all rooms in our nursery, bringing her warmth and enthusiasm wherever she goes. She loves playing with the children and following their interests to create engaging learning experiences. Outside of nursery, Sam enjoys spending time with her own little boy, Enzo.
Jamie
Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Jamie is in our Pre-School team; she is uber creative and loves developing her new ideas with the children. You will see lots of Jamie’s handy-work around all our rooms in nursery.
Nicole
Level 3 Childcare
Paediatric First Aid
Nicole is based in our Little Explorer Room and is a Key Person for many of our little ones. Nicole loves playing alongside the children and supporting them to develop their communication skills.
Elle
Nursery Assistant
Batchelor of Science (Nursing)
Paediatric First Aid
Elle is part of the Toddler Room team. Elle is a qualified nurse, she loves working with the little ones and is extremely creative.
Jessica
Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Trained
Meet Jess, our chatty and bubbly Toddler Room Leader! With a passion for nurturing young minds, she loves supporting children’s growth and development every step of the way. Always bringing energy and warmth to the room, Jess makes learning fun—and you’ll always spot her in a funky pair of glasses!
Caroline
Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Trained
Caroline brings a wealth of experience to our Little Explorer Room, with many years of working in nursery settings. Gentle, caring, and always organized, she truly understands the unique needs of two-year-olds. With her nurturing approach and expert insight, Caroline creates a warm and supportive environment where little explorers can thrive
Shannon
Level 2 – working towards Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Trained
With years of experience across all age groups, Shannon is a valued member of our team who gets to work throughout the nursery. She brings enthusiasm and expertise wherever she goes but can often be found in Pre-School, fully immersed in play and learning alongside the children. Her warmth and energy make every day an adventure!
Demi
Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Trained
Demi is a Level 3 qualified practitioner with a passion for working with children. In our Toddler Room, she loves creating fun games and activities that spark curiosity and learning. Always up for a chat, Demi enjoys engaging with the children—especially when it comes to sharing stories about her beloved cats!
Hannah-Rose
Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Trained
Hannah-Rose brings a wealth of nursery experience to our Baby Room, having even been a nursery manager in the past. Passionate about early learning, she creates a warm and nurturing environment where little ones thrive. The babies love snuggles and story time with Hannah-Rose! Outside of nursery, she enjoys spending time with her own little ones, Vinnie and Dottie, and their dog, Teddy.
Megan
Apprentice
Level 2 Working towards Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Trained
Megan is at the start of her exciting journey in childcare and is currently working towards her Level 3 qualification. Enthusiastic and full of energy, she loves her time in the Little Explorer Room, supporting the children as they learn and grow through play.
Millie
Level 2
Paediatric First Aid Trained
Millie is a dedicated member of our Baby Room team, with a passion for building strong, nurturing relationships with our littlest ones. She creates a warm and comforting environment where babies feel safe, loved, and ready to explore the world around them.
Chris
Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Trained
Chris is a dedicated and creative member of our team, always finding new and exciting ways to support the children’s next steps in learning. Working in our Toddler Room, he brings energy, imagination, and a love for animals, which often sparks wonderful conversations and activities with the children.
Pam
Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Trained
With many years of experience working with children, Pam brings a wealth of knowledge to our Pre-School Room. She loves getting involved in play and making learning fun. Passionate about the outdoors, Pam incorporates nature into her teaching—and on weekends, you’ll often find her out fell running!
Emily
Level 3
Paediatric First Aid Trained
Emily is a Level 3 practitioner in our Baby Room, where she brings her kind and caring nature to support our youngest little ones. She’s super tuned in to the children’s needs, ensuring they feel safe and loved as they grow. Family is very important to Emily, and her nurturing approach shines through in all she does.
