The Team
Kelly: Owner
Simon: Finance Director
The Management Team:
General Manager
Hi all, I’m Rachel
I joined the team at Smiles Sapcote in September 2021 as nursery manager, then taking the role of general manager to oversee both Sapcote and our Hinckley Parks site.
I have worked in Early years for over 17 years and gained a great deal of knowledge and experience along the way.
Starting my career as an apprentice completing my level 2 and 3 qualifications, I then progressed and completed my BA Honours Degree in Early Years whilst working as a practitioner. Over the years I have developed in my role, working my way up into management.
I am Designated Person for Safeguarding and have completed many other qualifications such as Paediatric First Aid, leadership, business management and Forest school training.
I am a mum of two and in my spare time I enjoy spending time outdoors with my children, family and horses. I also enjoy camping holidays.
Hi all, I’m Rachel
I joined the team at Smiles Sapcote in September 2021 as nursery manager, then taking the role of general manager to oversee both Sapcote and our Hinckley Parks site.
I have worked in Early years for over 17 years and gained a great deal of knowledge and experience along the way.
Starting my career as an apprentice completing my level 2 and 3 qualifications, I then progressed and completed my BA Honours Degree in Early Years whilst working as a practitioner. Over the years I have developed in my role, working my way up into management.
I am Designated Person for Safeguarding and have completed many other qualifications such as Paediatric First Aid, leadership, business management and Forest school training.
I am a mum of two and in my spare time I enjoy spending time outdoors with my children, family and horses. I also enjoy camping holidays.
Deputy Manager and SENCo
Hi, my name is Melissa. I have been with Smiles for 3 years now, but I have only just returned after being on maternity leave and having my little girl.
I have a level 3 qualification in children's care, learning & development and I am also deputy manager & SENCO. I have 11 years’ experience working in childcare altogether, so I have been doing it for quite a while now.
You will see me around the nursery on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesdays as I am just working 3 days a week due to spending time with my daughter the other two days a week.
I love working in childcare as I find it so rewarding and I love to help & watch all your little ones develop & grow. I am not based in a room as I support Rachel the manager where she needs it. Some days I will be in the office and other days you may see me helping in rooms.
Outside of nursery I live at home with my husband, daughter & our dog Roxie. I am absolutely loving being a mum and on my days off I take her to baby groups, or we go out for the day somewhere fun. I also love to meet up with friends for a cup of tea and a catch up as well as going on holiday with my family to relax.
Hi, my name is Melissa. I have been with Smiles for 3 years now, but I have only just returned after being on maternity leave and having my little girl.
I have a level 3 qualification in children's care, learning & development and I am also deputy manager & SENCO. I have 11 years’ experience working in childcare altogether, so I have been doing it for quite a while now.
You will see me around the nursery on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesdays as I am just working 3 days a week due to spending time with my daughter the other two days a week.
I love working in childcare as I find it so rewarding and I love to help & watch all your little ones develop & grow. I am not based in a room as I support Rachel the manager where she needs it. Some days I will be in the office and other days you may see me helping in rooms.
Outside of nursery I live at home with my husband, daughter & our dog Roxie. I am absolutely loving being a mum and on my days off I take her to baby groups, or we go out for the day somewhere fun. I also love to meet up with friends for a cup of tea and a catch up as well as going on holiday with my family to relax.
Explorers And Discoverers Room:
Room Leader
Hi my name is Laura. I have a level three qualification in childcare.
I began volunteering at Smiles whilst completing my qualification at college. I then began working at Smiles full time once my course was completed.
I really enjoy messy play with the children and I also love getting them outdoors!
Hi my name is Laura. I have a level three qualification in childcare.
I began volunteering at Smiles whilst completing my qualification at college. I then began working at Smiles full time once my course was completed.
I really enjoy messy play with the children and I also love getting them outdoors!
Nursery Practitioner
Hi my names vicki!
I have my level 3 childcare qualification. I have been working with young children for 3 years. My favourite part of the job is helping the children to learn and develop and making them feel part of the Smiles family!
Hi my names vicki!
I have my level 3 childcare qualification. I have been working with young children for 3 years. My favourite part of the job is helping the children to learn and develop and making them feel part of the Smiles family!
Nursery Assistant
Hi my name is Ruth!
I have had previous experience working in an infant school helping the children to learn and develop. I am currently doing my level 2 childcare course. I have also completed my first aid and safeguarding training. I enjoy working with children, helping them learn and develop through play and I love watching them develop in to their own character.
Hi my name is Ruth!
I have had previous experience working in an infant school helping the children to learn and develop. I am currently doing my level 2 childcare course. I have also completed my first aid and safeguarding training. I enjoy working with children, helping them learn and develop through play and I love watching them develop in to their own character.
Adventurers Room:
Room Leader
Hi my name is Chloe. I am the room leader in the Adventurers room and first began my journey at Smiles in 2016 as a placement student gaining my experience and knowledge in childcare Since then I have achieved my level 3 qualification in childcare. My drive for working with children began from my early primary school days and i have always been passionate about being a part of helping children to flourish, learn and grow!.
Hi my name is Chloe. I am the room leader in the Adventurers room and first began my journey at Smiles in 2016 as a placement student gaining my experience and knowledge in childcare Since then I have achieved my level 3 qualification in childcare. My drive for working with children began from my early primary school days and i have always been passionate about being a part of helping children to flourish, learn and grow!.
Nursery Practitioner
Hi, my name is Lacey!
I have been working with children since 2016 and I have a level 3 qualification in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
My favourite part about working with children is knowing that I can help them learn and develop, giving them the strongest start to their future.
Hi, my name is Lacey!
I have been working with children since 2016 and I have a level 3 qualification in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
My favourite part about working with children is knowing that I can help them learn and develop, giving them the strongest start to their future.
Nursery Assistant
Hello my name is Katie!
I hold a level 2 qualification in childcare and I have previously worked in a primary school and an after school club as a playworker for the last 6 years. My favourite thing to do with the children is messy play, I love watching them getting creative. Working with children is definitely a rewarding job and I love every second of it!
Hello my name is Katie!
I hold a level 2 qualification in childcare and I have previously worked in a primary school and an after school club as a playworker for the last 6 years. My favourite thing to do with the children is messy play, I love watching them getting creative. Working with children is definitely a rewarding job and I love every second of it!
Creators Room:
Room Leader
Hi my name is Caroline.
I have got my Level 3 in childcare. I have got a few years experience working with children but Smiles is my first time working in a nursery.
I previously worked in a wedding shop and a florist, but children are my passion and I am always excited to learn more about them and their amazing imaginations.
I am currently on maternity leave and due back in July 2022.
Hi my name is Caroline.
I have got my Level 3 in childcare. I have got a few years experience working with children but Smiles is my first time working in a nursery.
I previously worked in a wedding shop and a florist, but children are my passion and I am always excited to learn more about them and their amazing imaginations.
I am currently on maternity leave and due back in July 2022.
Nursery Practitioner
Hi My name is Caitlin.
I started at Smiles Hinckley Parks in January 2022 and moved over to Sapcote in March. I have 2 years experience in working with children.
I have completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator course and I have training in First Aid, Safeguarding, Level 2 Food Hygiene. I enjoy working with children because I love to watch them develop and grow as individuals.
Hi My name is Caitlin.
I started at Smiles Hinckley Parks in January 2022 and moved over to Sapcote in March. I have 2 years experience in working with children.
I have completed my Level 3 Early Years Educator course and I have training in First Aid, Safeguarding, Level 2 Food Hygiene. I enjoy working with children because I love to watch them develop and grow as individuals.
Nursery Assistant
Hi, my name is Julie. I have worked at Smiles for around 4 years now. Before Smiles, I worked in a care home for 13 years.
I have experience with every age group in the nursery, as I used to cover in all of the rooms.
I have grandchildren as well, that keep me very busy!
I love to read to the children and be outdoors with them too.
I really enjoy being with the children and watching them progress as they grow.
Hi, my name is Julie. I have worked at Smiles for around 4 years now. Before Smiles, I worked in a care home for 13 years.
I have experience with every age group in the nursery, as I used to cover in all of the rooms.
I have grandchildren as well, that keep me very busy!
I love to read to the children and be outdoors with them too.
I really enjoy being with the children and watching them progress as they grow.
Inventors Room:
Inventors Room Leader
Hi, my name is Jenna! I have worked with children for the last 20 years across the counties of Leicestershire and Warwickshire. I have also worked in holiday resorts.
I have achieved a BA Honours degree in early years education.
I continue to work with children as no days are the same and you can never predict what children will say.
Hi, my name is Jenna! I have worked with children for the last 20 years across the counties of Leicestershire and Warwickshire. I have also worked in holiday resorts.
I have achieved a BA Honours degree in early years education.
I continue to work with children as no days are the same and you can never predict what children will say.
Nursery Practitioner
Hello my names Jen.
I am a level 3 early years practitioner and I have been working in childcare for nearly 4 years.
I enjoy working with children because it is very rewarding, helping them grow and develop during their days at nursery.
Each day is new and exciting.
Hello my names Jen.
I am a level 3 early years practitioner and I have been working in childcare for nearly 4 years.
I enjoy working with children because it is very rewarding, helping them grow and develop during their days at nursery.
Each day is new and exciting.
Nursery Assistant
Hi, I am Katherine.
I have worked in childcare for over 20 years and hold a level 2 qualification in early years. I enjoy doing crafts and games with the children and supporting them with their needs. I also enjoy making up stories with the children, encouraging them to use their imaginations.
Hi, I am Katherine.
I have worked in childcare for over 20 years and hold a level 2 qualification in early years. I enjoy doing crafts and games with the children and supporting them with their needs. I also enjoy making up stories with the children, encouraging them to use their imaginations.
Nursery Assistant
Hi, I am Charlotte.
I have been working in childcare for around 3 years since leaving school.
I hold a level 2 qualification in Chilcare Learning and development.
I enjoy working with children and helping them to develop through play and accessing all areas of provision.
Hi, I am Charlotte.
I have been working in childcare for around 3 years since leaving school.
I hold a level 2 qualification in Chilcare Learning and development.
I enjoy working with children and helping them to develop through play and accessing all areas of provision.
Support Staff:
Nursery Practitioner
Hi I’m Vina.
I have got my level 3 in childcare. I have been with Smiles for a couple of years now. I used to work with older children but also have experience of all ages within the nursery.
I am first aid and safeguarding trained.
I love working with children, the best part is when we get messy with fun messy plays and when we splash around in muddy puddles outside.
Hi I’m Vina.
I have got my level 3 in childcare. I have been with Smiles for a couple of years now. I used to work with older children but also have experience of all ages within the nursery.
I am first aid and safeguarding trained.
I love working with children, the best part is when we get messy with fun messy plays and when we splash around in muddy puddles outside.
Housekeeper
Hi my name is Moya!
Hi my name is Moya!