Rainbow Corner Staff

Kathleen Staines, Owner/Manager/Director

Kathleen qualified as an NNEB in 1978 and worked as a nanny in the south east for 10 years before starting a family with husband Ian in 1988. Whilst her own children were growing up she cared for children in her own home in Cookham, Berks as a registered childminder. In 2000 Kathleen was appointed as Supervisor at a preschool in Maidenhead.

Kathleen and Ian bought Rainbow Corner in 2005 and took over the day to day running in 2007 after moving to Holton le Clay. Kathleen has continued to develop her childcare knowledge completing an Advanced Diploma (ADCE 2002), NVQ Assessors award (2004) and an Adult Teaching certificates (C&G 7404 1 and 2 2007). At Grimsby college she completed a BA(hons) in early childhood studies (2009) and a postgraduate course - Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) (2010).

Nursery Management Team

Jackie Woods is the Senior duty manager at the day nursery. She has been at Rainbow Corner for more than 25 years and is very experienced in caring for children and all aspects of nursery administration.

Di Altoft is our duty manager and has also been at the nursery for more than 20 years, she is our forest school leader and passionate about outdoor learning.

Sarah Marriott works as an assistant duty manager and has been with us for more than 20 years, she is an experienced baby room manager.

Gemma Ligertwood is our inclusion co-ordinator and an assistant duty manager. She works as the supervisor in the tweenie room and is an enthusiastic team leader. All management practitioners are qualified to level 3.

Haylene Bratley is employed as our accounts administrator and has the responsibility of looking after both business accounts and clients’ accounts. She is also involved in much of the administration of the nursery.

Staff at the nursery

In addition to the management team we have room supervisors and senior nursery nurses who are all qualified to level 3. Nursery nurses qualified to level 2 and experienced nursery assistants are all members of our nursery team. We value experience as well as qualifications and aim to have a cross section of ages across the team. We have a very low turnover of staff and many members of staff have worked at Rainbow for a several years, some more than 20 years. Meals are prepared by our cook Di Richards and two kitchen assistants.

We sometimes have students on placement and apprentices training to be childcare practitioners providing them with valuable hands on work experience. This supports the development of future childcare staff.

Staff at the kids club Sunshine Preschool

Kathleen acts as co-ordinator at the kids club and is ably assisted by Julia Dixon acting as deputy co-ordinator. Other members of staff include senior playworkers and playworkers with several years of experience in childcare. Some practitioners work at both nursery and kids club providing continuity and smoothing transition.