ABOUT THE STAFF
Rachel Harris has a NVQ level 4 in childcare, learning development and joined the team in May 2016 initially as Deputy Manager and took over as Manager of the Playcentre in September 2017. Rachel is also our registered person with CIW, Child Protection Officer and Additional Needs Coordinator/SENCO. Prior to joining us Rachel has been a secondary Science teacher, she ran a day and residential Field Centre on a National Nature Reserve and then with a young family she became a Childminder. Mum of 3, two now teenage boys one with Autism and a daughter in year 5 in St Mary’s School, Overton. Rachel provided day care for children within her home in Overton when her own children were younger. She also set up and ran a Church baby and toddler group on Mondays at the Scout Hut and regularly attended our own toddler group each Tuesday where she organised singing sessions with the children and parents and delivered Language and Play sessions. She became an Early Years Librarian for 6mths working in partnership with the Flying Start LAP team running parent and toddler groups around Wrexham before joining us. Rachel has been involved with the Playcentre committee since being recruited as Secretary in 2008. Rachel is an incredibly skilled and enthusiastic role model to the staff team, with tremendous vision moving the Playcentre forward. Rachel leads the team that delivers Early Education to our children and is a Keyworker for a group of children.
After Nicky qualified with a diploma in childcare she joined our team as an extra member of staff which enabled us to offer wrap around care. Without Nicky’s loyal dedication we could not have offered wrap around care which is a service that is well used and needed. Since working at Overton Playcentre. Nicky has gained her QCF level 5 in childcare and has been working at the Playcentre for 7 years. She is now Deputy Manager and Named Person in Charge when Rachel is not present, a Keyworker she also delivers Early Education as well as being Supervisor for Before and After School Club and Holiday Club.
Lily Simon joined our team as a Play Assistant in September 2017 working during playgroup sessions and also after school club. She also offers the flexibility of being able to work in holiday club. Lily has recently completed her NVQ3 in Childcare having already achieved her Level 2 qualification. She has gained childcare experience by working at St Chads School in Hanmer and more recently at Bangor on Dee School after school and holiday club. Lily is a Keyworker for a group of children. She is a member of the Early Education team in the Playcentre as well as working in our After School Club and Holiday Club.
Emily Dimelow started working with us as a Play Assistant in January 2018. She has completed her Level 3 NVQ and is now in the process of completing her Level 5. She comes to us from Hanmer where she was 1:1 for a child with additional needs in school and also supervised playgroup sessions there one day a week. Emily is part of the team that delivers Early Education, she is a Keyworker for a group of children and will be working in After School Club and Holiday Club.
Claire Pearson also joined us in January 2018 as a Play Assistant. She is working with us three mornings a week during term time on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8-11am. The rest of the week she works in Chirk School as a Teaching Assistant. Claire will also be doing some Holiday Club work. Claire has grown up children and has many diverse interests including felting.
Emily Bellingham joined our team as a Play Assistant in September 2017. Emily’s role is split between working on Tuesday mornings with the Toddler Group and Friday mornings during the morning playgroup session and lunch club term time only. Mum of two, Emily regularly attends our toddler sessions with her daughter and so is already familiar with the staff and younger children. Emily enjoyed helping at Toddlers so much and looking for a change in career with a young family is looking forward to starting her NVQ when her young family is a bit older.
Sarah Carpenter joined our staff team in January 2018 as a Play Assistant. Her role is split between admin using her previous HR experience and childcare. She was a volunteer at the Playcentre, working mainly as an admin assistant but also with the children when needed. Mum of two boys who attend St Mary’s School, Sarah was Secretary on the Committee for over 3 years as well as Acting Chair during our Chair’s maternity leave and was keen to remain a part of the Playcentre. Sarah will be starting her NVQ in 2018.
Sharon Marriott joined us as a Play Assistant also in January 2018. Sharon has worked as a Geologist in the field but having had her young son she is keen to change direction and has been a great asset as a volunteer. Sharon will start her NVQ when her son moves into School.
Dianne Edwards was recruited as a Play Worker in our after school club working Mondays and Tuesdays. Dianne is the former Librarian of the Maelor School where she worked for 25 years. Dianne has more recently been volunteering as a classroom assistant at St Mary’s School and has also been a familiar face at the Playcentre covering for staff as a volunteer as well as  helping out at many of our fundraisers.
Susan Staniford joined us in September 2017 and works mainly as a Play Worker in After School Club Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. She retired from her job with BASC where she spent her time working with children in and out of schools. As Grandma to one of our children she has volunteered at many fundraising events and continues to do this.
Grace Marriott joined us as a Play Worker for our Holiday Club in July 2017. Grace is in the second year of her teaching degree and also offers experience of working with children both on placements and at the Madras school’s holiday club.
Eve Barber was recruited as a Play Worker in July 2017 for our Holiday Club. Eve has a number of year’s experience in Childcare working as a regular babysitter during school holidays and also after school. She was also a Brownie leader. She is in her first year of her Politics and Religion Degree.
All our staff are DBS checked regularly and complete regular relevant training courses made available through various organisations such as the Children’s Information Bureau and through Funded Early Education. There are training courses available to parents too. If you are interested, please look on our notice board for further information.