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The dedicated team of staff at Ducklings go above and beyond in their duties to deliver outstanding care and learning experiences to the children. Their enthusiasm, expertise and commitment is part of what makes Ducklings such a special setting. 

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All children are assigned a key person from our team. Their role is to ensure your child’s care is tailored to meet their individual needs, track their learning and development, help them become familiar with the setting, provide a settled relationship within the setting and build a relationship with their parents/carers. Your child's key person is assigned before they start so someone is there to meet them on their first day. If after starting your child appears to develop a stronger bond with a different member of the team, we change the assigned key person to meet the needs of your child.

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At Ducklings we hold regular termly parents evenings to give parents/carers the opportunity to meet with their key person and discuss their child's development and progress.

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All of our staff know basic sign language and within the team we have a wealth of knowledge on SEND and SALT. We also have a Speech And Language Therapist who visits the setting on a weekly basis for those children who need additional support.

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All  staff at Ducklings are first aid trained to maintain the health and safety of the children in our care. Ducklings staff are committed to continual professional development and regularly attend further courses and training to update their knowledge and practice.

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Ducklings Pre-School are committed to Safer recruitment. All staff and volunteers are vetted thoroughly and DBS checked before and whilst working at Ducklings.

Emma Connor

Manager

Key Person

Early Years Teacher

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Emma is our designated Behaviour Co-ordinator and a qualified Enhanced SENCO

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"I love it when the hard work proves successful and just seeing the children's faces when they do something they didn't think they could do. What could be better than that?"

Leanne Crosthwaite

Deputy Manager

Key Person

Qualified Level 3

Studying Level 5 qualification

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"I love looking after children and seeing them grow, becoming independent and feeling that you've been a part of their education."

Joselyn Webb

SENDCO

1:1 Key Person

Qualified Level 3

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Highly experienced in providing 1:1 support with knowledge in a range of speech therapy techniques.

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Joselyn is our qualified and designated SENCO.

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"The relationships you build up to help a child feel secure so that they can freely access fun activities, which help them to learn in their preferred style."

Carol Green

Key Person

Early Years Teacher

Developing and Enhancing Early Language (DEEL) Champion

ICAN trained

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Qualified SENCO

Studying Sign Language Level 1 

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"Seeing a child flourish, grow and develop, knowing you have been a part of making that happen, makes the hard work so worthwhile, and provides a great sense of achievement"

Diana O'Neil

Key Person

Studying Level 3 qualification

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"Seeing a child achieving a huge milestone of being able to take their shoes on and off without help can often go unnoticed but here at Ducklings it is so celebrated."

Lisa Davis
Key Person

Qualified Level 3

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"Watching the children learn and grow. It is such a privilege to be part of a child's early development"

Fiona Pallatt

1:1 Support Assistant

Experienced SEND childcare practitioner.

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"Every child is different and it is wonderful seeing all of their personalities and qualities grow."

Alice Merrett

Support Assistant

Experienced childcare practitioner

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"I love seeing children develop new skills and learning new things. Their sense of humour and watching their confidence grow makes me smile."

Hannah Masters

Support Assistant

Experienced childcare practitioner

Danielle Widdowson-Fuller

Administrator

Studying Level 3 in Accounts & Bookkeeping

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Behind the scenes, our staff and committee are supported by our Administrator who works alongside Emma to ensure the smooth running of the setting.