Meet The Staff
All our staff are CRB checked, paediatric first aid trained and have
food and hygiene certificates.
Laura Rigby
Owner/Manager
Laura completed her Diploma in Child Care and Education in 2008. Previously Laura has 6 years of experience working at nurseries, schools and working alongside health visitors, speech and language therapists and other childcare professionals within a children’s centre 2 years ago. She came to work full-time at Sandy Bear's Nursery when the Baby Room opened in March 2011. Laura was appointed the Bear Cub's Room Leader and soon after deputy manager, taking charge of babies and toddlers from 3 months of age. From December 2012 Laura has been manager at Sandy bears nursery working in the ‘big bears’ room and the ‘bear cubs’ room and completing her Safer Recruiting. From April 2012 she is now manager and owner. Laura looks forward in studying her foundation degree in early year’s education.
Astone Mackintosh-Smith
Deputy Manager, Big Bears Room Leader
Astone graduated from Lancaster University in 2011 where she studied English Literature and Philosophy. She started working in the Big Bears Room full time soon after. She is now Room Leader of Big Bears, Pre-School Planning Co-ordinator and Key-Worker to a group of children. Astone completed her Safer Recruiting in January 2012. She is also nearing completion of her Early Years Professional Status at Chester University and is looking forward to a great partnership with Laura!
Rebecca Williams
Big Bears Key Worker
Beckie also joined the team in 2012 and is based in the Big Bears Room. Beckie has recently achieved a BA (hons) in Early childhood studies at Chester University. Beckie is currently training as a Health care play Specialist at the countess of Chester hospital and is also practising as a Key Worker for Sandy Bear’s. Beckie is also a musician in her spare time, the children often request Beckie to play her guitar and sing we all sing along!
Marie Bond
Bear Cubs Planning Co-ordinator
Having worked at Sandy Bear’s for 2 years Marie has now moved into the Bear Cubs Room taking on the roles of planning co-ordinator and Key-Worker. Marie is also the leader of Sandy Bears ‘eco team’. Working as a Level 3 practitioner she is now undertaking a Leadership and Management course and intends to study further.
Jordan Forshaw
Big Bears Key Worker
Jordan came to Sandy Bear’s in 2012 as a level 2 practitioner based mainly in the Big Bears Room. Jordan has had previous experience of working in pre-schools and baby sits as a second job when she isn’t working at Sandy bears! Jordan has also completed her Level 3 NVQ.
Vanessa Saunders
Vanessa has recently completed her Level 3 BTEC in Childcare and will be working in the Big Bears room from the end of May.
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