MEET THE TEAM!
We have a fantastic team, so its only fair that I introduce them
Name- Leah Cardey
Position - Manager/owner
Qualifications/experience
- Bsc (Hons) Social Work
- NVQ 2 Early years care and education
- NVQ 3 Early years care and education
- Paediatric first aid
- Safeguarding officer
- Child Protection officer
- Mum to two children (8yr old and 11yr old)
I have worked in childcare for over 15 years. I have been privileged enough to work within a mixture of settings and children giving me a wide range of knowledge and experience. I specialised in Child Protection social work for 5 years before opening up Dream Catchers Childcare.
I am at Dream Catchers most days, however if you need to contact me direct my number is 07368222965
Name - Kim Benford A.K.A - "Nanny Kim"
Position - Bank staff
Qualifications
- Qualified Nurse
- Degree in Education
- Safeguarding officer
- Mother to 3 children (29yr old, 31yr old and 33yr old!)
-Nanny to 4 children
Kim is unintentionally known at Dream Catchers as "Nanny Kim!" this is because Kim is my mum and my own children call her Nanny Kim. The other children have picked up on this and now most of the children, parents and staff call her this too. Kim has worked in education, supporting people with special needs for 24 years. Kim was Head of Curriculum in foundation studies at the college for many years before retiring in 2017. Kim has now joined the Dream Catchers team as she loves children and supporting their development. Kim's main role at the after school club is supporting children with their homework and extended learning.
Kim comes to the rescue and works across all settings as and when we neeeeeeeeeed her!! which the children would argue is all the time!
Name - Pauline Clements
Position - Play assistant
Qualifications/experience
NVQ 2- CARE
NVQ 3- CARE
We are incredibly lucky to have Pauline as a part of the Dream Catcher team. Pauline worked in the NHS for 44yrs in the maternity unit as a maternity support assistant. Pauline was passionate about her job and caring for the parents and babies who she crossed in her 44year career. Pauline has brought many of her skills and qualities to Dream Catchers and is extremely caring and considerate of all our children. Pauline is very often found sat on the floor getting stuck in with a game.
Pauline works on a Thursday at our after school sessions at court lane.
Name - Lisha
Position - Play worker
Qualifications/experience
Au pair for a family of two children
Childcare and early learning diploma level 3
safeguarding course
Paediatric first aid trained
Lisha is our little South African diamond! I am so so happy that Lisha knocked on my door one day asking to be part of the Dream Catchers team! Lisha really has proved herself to be trustworthy, hardworking, super reliable and super fun to be around!! I couldn't be prouder to have her on the team!! Lisha is also about to embark on further childcare training in order to become fully qualified for our playschool too! Lisha has been a huge hit with the children and if she gets their approval then she certainly gets mine!
Lisha works Mon-Friday - solent brekky club, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday at our afterschool club and a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at our Playschool! wow she is busy!!
Name - Fay
Position - Solent Supervisor
Qualifications/experience
Level 3 childcare qualified
safeguarding trained
Paediatric first aid trained.
Swimming teacher
So here is our Dream Catcher Fay!! Fay came in swimmingly (which is quite ironic as she teaches swimming lessons to babies!) to Dream Catchers. Fay joined the team at a point where we really did need her! We needed a strong, confident, reliable and trustworthy supervisor and she has absolutely
nailed it!! Fay is a brilliant team member who the children all adore! Her love for Harry Potter deffo helps and when she is chatting about Hogwarts she is like a big kid herself!
Fay works Monday to. Friday at our Solent After school club!
Name - Stephenie
Position - Play-School Manager
Qualifications/experience
Level 3 in Childcare
Paediatric first Aid
Stephenine joined the team in September 2019! For the first part of Stephs journey wth Dream Catchers - she worked at Court Lane after school club. Stephenine is such a strong team member - who's knowledge in childcare shines through on her everyday practice! Stephenie has been a true asset to our team and we have seen first hand how much she is adored by the children and the staff! In January 2020 I pinched her from after school club to manage the Playschool alongside myself. Iv told her that she is never allowed to leave- so Steph is in this for the long run!
Stephenie currently works Monday - Friday at our Play school in Bedhampton
Name - June
Position - Court Lane Breakfast Supervisor
Qualifications/experience
Retired teacher
Safeguarding Lead
June and I crossed paths many moons ago whilst I was a social worker and June worked in a school. I loved her easy going, caring, down to earth- but professional attitude then! So I was ecstatic that June decided to join the Dream Catchers team in January 2020.
June has shown the children nothing but care, humour and warmth, whilst offering colleagues support and a trusting hand 100% of the time.
Finding staff that have all of these attributes is hard ..... and thats why I'm keeping her in handcuffs so she can't leave!!
June currently works Monday - Friday at our breakfast club,
Name - Mel
Position - Play Assistant
Qualifications/experience
Mel is a loving mother to two children.
I first met Mel back a few years ago when she put her own children into Dream Catchers. since this time she has become an avid advocate for our service and expressed on a few occasions about joining the team. In January, the opportunity showed itself and we were more than happy to welcome her into the team with open arms.
Mel has a great in-built intuition and awareness around children and its been a pleasure having her on board. The children love Mel and know that they can always approach her with anything!
Mel has not only experienced Dream Catchers as a parent, but now also as a colleague. Please feel free to ask her any questions you may have!
Mel currently works Monday - Friday at our Court Lane Club
Name - Tracy
Position - Play school celebrity
Qualifications/experience
Tracy has a lot of experience with children, being a mum to three lovely girls, a doting auntie and jobs within childcare settings has set Tracy up for being AMAZING!
Paediactric First aid
Food Hygiene
Safeguarding trained
Childcare level 3 trainee
So there is a bit of a story with Tracy........ In the very first lockdown I needed a spare pair of hands for one day! Steph asked her mum ........ and she came and helped out!! (yep Tracy is Steph's momma bear!) OH MY GOODNESS when you have a good one you know and you just can't let them go!! So I begged her to stay and she agreed!! yippie!! Tracy is honestly one of the loveliest people I have known and the children literally adore her! Tracy is usually found at playschoool on the floor with children hanging off her!! Thank you Tracy for joining the team!!
Tracy works Monday to Friday at our lovely Playschool!
Name - Josh
Position - Court Lane Supervisor
Qualifications/experience
Josh has worked in various settings which shines through... from football coach to flip out!!
- Safeguarding trained
- Paediactric First Aid Trained.
"Josh, Josh, Josh" is what I often hear if I visit court lane! The children all want Josh! To be fair I'm not surprised! He is super fun and has a multitude of games up his sleeve - ready to pull out at any given moment! Josh is often showing up in his banana hat or spider man costume....... because Josh is the definition of FUN!! Josh also has a very sensible and sensitive side that is extremely valuable for his supervisor role! Its tricky to find staff that has the same ethos as me..... so it was a delight that Josh has joined the team to keep the games flowing!
Josh works Monday to Friday at our Court Lane venue.
Name - Hope
Position - Play worker
Qualifications/experience
Hope is currently training for her level 3 in childcare
- Paediactric First Aid Trained.
Hope is the new baby of the team!! Her young, vibrant energy is a mega hit with not just the kids but me too! As a manager there is nothing better then a staff member who likes to get stuck in, plays games, dances around and has the confidence to look silly!! Hope doesn't mind the kids covering her in face paints and dancing around to gummy bears! haha!
Hope works Monday to Friday at our Solent breakfast club and Monday and Friday at our Solent after school club!
Name - Willow
Position - Play worker
Qualifications/experience
Willow is currently studying Literature, Law and Drama!
- Safeguarding trained
- Paediactric First Aid Trained.
Willow is a new face you may have seen around! Willow is our funky, red haired (but could change to purple, blue or even pink!) fun new play worker! Willow has only been a Dream Catcher since beginning of March..... but feels as though she has been a part of the team forever! Her confidence to get stuck in and really play and help is valuable! The children have given Willow the thumbs up........... and I have to agree!
Willow works Monday to Friday at our Court Lane breakfast club and Monday and Friday at our court. lane after school club! Willow will be joining the after school club mon- Friday from May!
