Our Team
Nivan Lodge consists of a team of dedicated, professional and experienced nursery practitioners who are committed to providing a fun, warm and friendly environment where everyone can learn and develop to their best potential
Allow us to introduce them to you on this page.
Brenda Palmer
Principal
NNEB
Key Person
Paediatric First Aid (2021)
Makaton
Safeguarding DSL
Brenda has been the owner and principal at Nivan Lodge for 31 years. She is committed to providing a safe, happy and stimulating environment for both children and staff where everyone can learn from each other and develop their own skills and strengths at their own pace.
Her aim has always been to provide high quality care with the focus on learning through play and most importantly providing the right environment so that when you are only two, three or four, you can have great fun. When children are happy, content and feel safe in their environment they will learn and they will want to come back for more.
Mrs. Palmer has taken a 'back seat' and leaves the day to day running of the nursery in the very safe and experienced hands of Mrs. Pepper. Ably assisted by the strong nursery team.
Susie Pepper
Nursery Manager
QTS
Montessori Dip
Key Person
Designated Safeguarding Lead (I)
SENCo
Level 5 SpLD teacher
Paediatric First Aid (2022)
Makaton
Susie has been a key part of the Nivan Lodge team for 11 years and our deputy for nearly three years and became Nursery Manager in 2021. As a level 5 she is our most experienced qualified teacher and our guiding light especially with the older group of children ensuring that our curriculum is broad and balanced.
She has recently completed a Makaton signing course.
Claire Tudor- Pole
Deputy
SENCo
Nursery Practitioner Level 3
Key Person
Paediatric First Aid (2021)
Designated Behaviour Officer (II)
Claire came to join the team at Nivan Lodge to gain a level 3 qualification when her youngest daughter left Nivan Lodge to go to school and I am happy to say that she has remained with us for 13 years. Throughout her time at nursery and with her positive approach Claire has always been one of the children's favourite teachers!
Debbie Cohen
Nursery Practitioner Level 3
Key Person
Paediatric First Aid (2021)
Debbie is also a long serving team member and has worked at Nivan Lodge for over 20 years. She especially enjoys working with the little ones, helping them settle into the nursery and its routines with gentle encouragement, while helping them grow and gain in confidence ready for a smooth transition into the next stage of their nursery journey. Little Nivan has been running as the dedicated space for the younger group since 2011 and Debbie was a part of the original Little Nivan team.
Cleo Callaghan
Nursery Practitioner Level 6 EYTS
Key Person
Cleo has worked with us for just over three years. Both her chldren attended Nivan Lodge and are now at school. Cleo is now qualified to a level 6 having achieved an 'outstanding' result in her course work. She brings with her new and fresh ideas. The children adore being in her company and listening to her read stories and learning about our world in the book corner.
Staff at Nivan Lodge comply with all statutory regulations ensuring that training in all Safeguarding Areas and the procedure is current. Staff understand how and where to access the appropriate outside agencies should a child be in any kind of need, including child abuse in all its forms, including the Prevent Duty, FGM and CSE.
We endeavour to ensure that all staff maintain their Paediatric First Aid training. All staff are currently trained until 2021/2022
We also attend training courses to enable us to work with children whatever their needs and to keep us current in our approach.