Our Team
Gemma Duck
'Auntie Gem Gem'
Business Owner - General Manager
I am the founder of Little Gem's, and am extremely proud of my accomplishments. I have been a childminder since April 2012 and instantly felt drawn to being that key person you can rely on to care for your child while you work. I now have 3 of my own children, a well established Childminding buisness with 35 children on role, 8 staff and recruiting, now I have secured a fantastic space for our second setting.
My 3 boys Joey 8, Jaxen 6 and Dee-Jay 2, have learnt so much from having children of all ages around all the time. Although I am still learning I have valuable parenting skills but caring for children from tiny babies all the way through primary school comes naturally to me and has done since I was a very little girl.
I have a fantastic team all training and building their careers with Little Gem's, and I enjoy encouraging them to succeed alongside me.
For my parents I focus on running a childcare setting that takes away all worries, includes you in your child's day, ensures your child is safe and happy when you return. My reputation precedes me and theres nothing more satisfying than getting those good recommendations and having a waiting list for children to attend. My service is very flexible to parents and childrens individual needs because I want it to be, and we strive to provide a level of care as close as we can to what your children would get if at home with you. Providing opportunities for children to attend performing arts, singing and dance classes, yoga, mindfullness and much more. Ensuring we provide a healthy menu, a stimulating environment and room for our staff and children to grow with us, is without a doubt my unique passion for Little Gem's.
Qualifications:
• Btec National Diploma in childcare
• Paediatric First Aid
• Safeguarding and Child Protection
• Food Hygiene Awareness
• Infection Control
• Health and Safety Welfare
• Understanding Risk Assessments
• Childminding Registration Course
• Delivering the EYFS
• Schemas
• Safer Recruitment Training
• Supporting Children with Speech, Language
and Communication Needs
Gina Pepper-Newlan
Deputy Manager
Co-Childminder - Administrator - HR
I first met Gina when she brought her eldest to me at 9 months old,
8 years ago, and the same age as Joey so it was like having twins
3 days a week. Gina then began working for Little Gem’s as a childminding
assistant, she grew and started her own Childminding, alongside still working
with me, and whilst still doing a lot of the administration for my business.
Gina is a credit to Little Gem’s, she has previous experience in
managing staff and also now works at the local secondary school
as an Administrator. She remains professional at all times, and is
fantastic at what she does. With two daughters and ample childcare
experience she is great with children, but we have definitely
played on her individual strengths and she is becoming an important part of
the success of our buisnesses moving forward.
Qualifications
● Paediatric First Aid
● Emergency First Aid at work
● Pre-reg Childminding certificate
● Safeguarding and Child Protection
● Food Safety
Lindsey is a dedicated member of staff who has come a long way since
joining Little Gem’s as a Childminding Assitant in 2015.
She has four children, and goes above and beyond for all of our children,
staff and especially myself, her General Manager. Lindsey has a
fantastic relationship with parents as well as all the children, she works
hard at all times and is always keen in keeping the setting running at
its highest level. She is self motivated, passionate and can confidently
run our Childminding setting. Lindsey has extensive
learning on EYFS, PACEY courses, Little Gem's policies, communication
with parents and many years of childcare experience.
I am delighted she has become a co-childminder and
will manage the childminding setting within my home.
Lindsey Clark
Childminding Manager
Co-Childminder - Personal Assistant
Qualifications:
• Paediatric First Aid
• CACHE level 2 certificate in Early Years Practice
• Safeguarding and Protecting Children
• Delivering the EYFS
• Club Management Awareness
• Level 3 Management Diploma - in training
Maria Day
Early Years Co-Ordinator
SEN Teacher
Maria has come to us recently with almost three years nursery and preschool experience. Maria has a high level of knowledge of the EYFS. She has fit straight into her role as our Early Years Co-ordinator and my staff have taken very well to Maria as their mentor. She is excellent with the children and has brought so many fabulous ideas from her previous nurseries.
Maria is now working from home, continuing to extend her learning and is keen to keep going. She is fantastic with all the children and becoming an important part of our new
afterschool club and preschool. Maria is also mum to three and come September, all her children will be at school.
Qualifications:
• Cache level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education
• Paediatric First Aid
• Health and Safety Training Level 2
• Early Years Senco
• Safe Guarding and Child Protection
• Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning
• Level 3 Management Diploma - in training
Vera Kaboci
Team Leader
Childminding Assistant
Vera has supported me for many years and I see her as a very valuable and trusted member of my team. Vera started as my cleaner about
eight years ago, then registered as a Childminding assistant.
Vera is very dedicated to us and her daughter, who is ten years old.
Vera is patient, kind, extremely helpful and gives us all a lot of positive emotions and guidance. She is particularly good at settling in new children and keeping our setting clean and tidy.
Vera is keen to progress her skills she has completed English and maths at an adult education college, and EYFS courses Pacey online. She is now ready to take on the next steps with an apprenticeship, whilst working as a nanny too, which is giving her further valuable childcare experience.
Qualifications:
• DBS
• Paediatric First Aid
• Safeguarding and Child Protection
• Delivering EYFS
• Level 2 Childcare Apprecticeship - in training
Terri Stowers
Team Leader
Childminding Assistant
Terri has been with Little Gem's since January 2019. She has enrolled
for online training after six months employment and is so enthusiastic
and eager to learn she is now on a level 3
apprenticeship scheme for a childcare qualification.
Terri is a happy, bubbly member of our team who goes out of her way
to make others days brighter. Terri is a mum to two and auntie to many, she is patient, caring and lovable. All children
get on well with Terri and quite a few ask for her when she is not here.
She is fun, fun, fun but is also very keen to keep extending her knowledge
so she can work to the best of her ability. Terri tries really hard
at any task, giving 100% and is fantastic with the children.
Qualifications:
• DBS
• Paediatric First Aid
• Safeguarding and Child Protection
• Delivering EYFS
• Level 3 Childcare Apprenticeship - in training
Lauren Duck
Childminding Assistant
Lauren is my little sister, mum to three children
and has also worked as a Support Worker with Autistic Adults
for the last eleven years. Lauren is well loved at little Gems and
is flexible, helpful and considerate to all. Lauren is always happy,
enjoys cooking nice, healthy meals, and especially loves to
get the children outside, encouraging them to explore and learn.
She is hardworking, reliable and lots of fun to be around.
Lauren will step in and cover whenever required, take on any tasks, and does it to the best of her ability. She brings her youngest
son to work with her, but always shares herself equally
amongst all the children. We are currently looking at which apprenticeship Lauren could start in September.
Qualifications:
• DBS
• Paediatric First Aid
• Safeguarding and Child Protection - In training
• Delivering EYFS - in training
Blue Hedges
Childminding Assistant
Blue is my niece; she is young fun and really enjoys her one day a week with us, around Performing Arts College.
Having someone young on the team is great for the
children and they love their time with her.
Blue is energetic and enthusiastic when reading stories,
and whilst playing games with the children;
loving listening to their stories too. Blue is reliable,
helpful, and fantastic at keeping children entertained
and helping with arts and crafts too.
Qualifications:
• DBS
• Paediatric First Aid
• Safeguarding and Child Protection - in training
• Delivering EYFS - in training
• Performing Arts - in training
Zornica has QTS status so can really help develop our plans to provide an extension of the curriculum into the after school club. Zornica will also be a great addition into the childminding session as she can help with their transition into mainstream education.
Zornica has experience with children as she has served as a nanny to two lively boys and previously had a role as a childminding assistant within the local area. We are looking forward to what Zornica will bring into the setting.
Zornica Raguz
After School Club Manager
Childminding Assistant
Qualifications:
• Paediatric first aid
• Safeguarding and protecting children
• Delivering the EYFS
• Effective partnership working with fathers
• Schemas
• Supporting children with speech, language and communication needs
Photo
Coming
Soon!
• Raising developmental concerns with parents
• Expectations of behaviour
• Starting out - supporting a child's emotional wellbeing
• Bachelor's degree in Elementary school aged children
and foreign languages
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Donna has recently joined our team after taking a break in the childcare industry to have her son. She is ready to pursue her passion in supporting children through their early years. She has a background in art and face painting and we look forward to the activities we will share together with the children. Donna has already gained a Level 3 qualification in childcare, so we would look to progress her onto a Level 4 apprenticeship in 2021.
Qualifications:
• Paediatric first aid
• Safeguarding and protecting children
• Delivering the EYFS
• Effective partnership working with fathers
• Schemas
• Supporting children with speech, language
and communication needs
• Raising developmental concerns with parents
• Expectations of behaviour
• Starting out - supporting a child's emotional wellbeing
• Cache Level 3 Childcare
Donna Constant
Childminding Assistant
Sophie is a lively young lady who is very excited at the prospect of developing a drama and dance based workshop within the after school club. This opportunity will provide the children within the setting a chance to develop social skills, boost their confidence and channel their extra energy into something productive.
Sophie is looking forward to her new venture with us at Little Gem’s. Sophie will begin a Level 2 Apprenticeship in 2021.
Qualifications:
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Paediatric first aid
-
Safeguarding and protecting children
-
Delivering the EYFS
-
Effective partnership working with fathers
-
Schemas
-
Supporting children with speech, language and
communication needs -
Raising developmental concerns with parents
-
Expectations of behaviour
-
Starting out - supporting a child's emotional wellbeing
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A level Drama
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Attended Drama and Dance school since age 3