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

Paediatric First Aid

Makaton

Safeguarding

 

Brenda has been the owner and principal at Nivan Lodge for 35 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 most importantly, 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 

Makaton 

 

Susie has been a key part of the Nivan Lodge team 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

Designated Safeguarding Deputy 

Nursery Practitioner Level 3

Key Person

Paediatric First Aid 

 

Claire came to join the team at Nivan Lodge to gain a level 3 qualification when her youngest daughter left the nursery to go to school and I am happy to say that she has remained with us eversince. Claire has a very positive approach to all things Nivan.

 

Debbie Cohen

 

Nursery Practitioner Level 3

Key Person

Paediatric First Aid 

 

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 their nursery journey. 

 

Cleo Callaghan

 

Nursery Practitioner Level 6 EYTS

Key Person

Paediatric First Aid

 

Cleo came to Nivan Lodge to work with our team while she trained to qualify in Early Years, and attained a level 6 with an outstanding result. Both her chldren attended Nivan Lodge and are now at school. 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.

 

 

Mellissa Jones

 

Nursery Practitioner Level 3

Key Person

Paediatric First Aid

 

Mellissa is our most recent team member and has also been a parent at Nivan. She has a level 3 qualification and brings a calmness in her work. The children enjoy her company and spending time in the calm corner which she created.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 ensure that all staff maintain their Paediatric First Aid training. All staff are currently trained.

 

We also attend training courses to enable us to work with children whatever their needs and to keep us current in our approach.