Gillian Whitaker and The Little Ducklings team welcomes you and your child to our setting.
ALL STAFF AT LITTLE DUCKLINGS HOLD A VALID DBS AND HAVE RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS IN FIRST AID AND SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN.
Gillian Whitaker
As Nursery Director Gill opened Little Ducklings Day Nursery LTD in 2004. She is office based but often helps out in both the Ducklings Room and the Mallard Room. Gill has her BA Honours Degree in Children, Schools and Families. Gill is nursery’s Designated Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding and our ELAC (looked after children). Gill is also the nursery’s ENCO (Equality Named Co-ordinator)
Sarah Shipp
Sarah is Nursery Manager. She completed her BTEC National Diploma at Preston College in 1998 and became part of the Little Ducklings team in September 2008. In the absence of Gill, Sarah is our Designated Lead Practitioner for Safeguarding. She also has the roles of SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator) and Behaviour Management Co-ordinator. Sarah has completed her third year at UCLAN earning a BA Honours Degree in Children, Schools and Families. She has also completed further training at Edge Hill University and holds Early Years Teacher status.
Sarah has the role of nursery cook and shares this role with Becky.
Laura Masson
Laura is Deputy Manager and Team Leader in the Mallard Room. She works 3 days a week and holds her Level 3 in Childcare and Education. Laura also holds a BA(HONS) Degree in Children, Schools and Families . Laura is our nursery PICO (Parental Involvement Co-ordinator) and arranges our nursery float for the Children’s Festival each year. In the absence of Gill and Sarah, Laura is our Designated Lead Practitoner for Safeguarding
Vicky Cross
Vicky is the Senior Early Years Educator in the Mallard Room. She works with the children aged 2-3 years. She has her NVQ 2 and 3 in Childcare and Education. Vicky has also completed her NVQ Level 2 in Team Leading and has been with us since 2005.
Vicky arranges all nursery links with the community.
Josephine Hunter-Smith
Jo joined us in 2023, she has completed her level 2 qualification.
Jo is based in the Mallard Room and works with the pre-school children
Amelia Hardman
Amelia has her level 5 qualification and currently works with the pre-school children with Josephine.
Olivia Tyson
Olivia is a qualified Level 3 Early Years Educator.
Olivia is based in the Ducklings Room, working alongside Becky and Laura Bowker.
Emily
Emily joined the Little Ducklings team in September 2024. She has completed her level 2 in early years. Emily is based in the Mallard Room and often helps out in the Ducklings Room too
Emily is currently on maternity leave
Becky Townley
Becky is a Senior Early Years Educator in the Ducklings Room, working alongside Laura Bowker and Olivia. She is a qualified level 5 Early years Educator.
Laura Bowker
Laura is a qualified, level 3, Early Years Educator. She is based in the Ducklings Room, working with the under 2’s alongside Becky and Olivia
Amy Swindlehurst
Amy is a level 3 Early Years Educator. Amy is based in the Mallard Room, working alongside Laura Masson, Vicky and Sarah Makinson.
Sarah Makinson
Sarah is a qualified, level 2, Early Years Practitioner. She is based in the Mallard Room working with the children aged 2-3 years.
Sarah is also our Health and Safety Officer.
