Over The Rainbow Day Nursery

For the last 20 years, I have been the owner and Manager of a childcare setting in Nottingham. As part of this role, I have gained significant experience regarding the standards of care and education which are required within a nursery setting. As part of my own professional development, I have undertaken an Early Years Foundation Degree in Early Years Studies and am now a level 5 qualified person. My passion for childcare is one of the fundamental reasons that we decided to proceed with the new venture of becoming one of the new owners of Over the Rainbow Day Nursery in Ashton-in-Makerfield, which I am the nominated person for.

After becoming a mother I decided to embark on a new career in Early Years by becoming one of the new Owners and Directors at Over the Rainbow Day Nursery. This was very much the start of my journey and since then I have qualified as an Early Years Teacher so I am now a level 6 qualified person. Qualifying as an Early Years Teacher has proved invaluable to my understanding of early years care and education and to form my own pedagogical views.

Wendy has worked in early years across the Wigan borough for over 35 years, from a trainee to management. Along the way, Wendy has gained a vast experience of the operations and the importance of good quality childcare.

Wendy has a level 6 BA Honours in Leadership and Management within her early years, her NNEB level 3 and qualifications in paediatric first aid, food hygiene and safeguarding.

Safeguarding is paramount, and Wendy has been recognised by Wigan Council as an advocate for other settings to support and manage Safeguarding concerns with other early years settings. Wendy initially opened Over the Rainbow Nursery in 2004 ( Previously known as Imagine Day Nursery) and developed the ethos of the setting and its team.

Wendy is a full-time manager and designated safeguarding lead, and she values her daily interactions with children of all ages.

Wendy is a mother of two girls, which has given her the empathy that parents experience when leaving children in the care of others and the small things that are important to a parent.

Vicky has worked at OTR formally Imagine Day Nursery.

She started her career as a college trainee at Imagine Day Nursery and has continued full-time since qualifying.

During her time at OTR, Vicky has progressed from practitioner to deputy manager and has undergone numerous training courses around safeguarding, paediatric first aid, food hygiene and most recently the SENCO award.

Vicky's passion is to work and support the team, parents and children with SEND. Vicky has vast experience in supporting and obtaining support through the council and other professionals for children and their families to enable them to access their early education.

Vicky has a wide range of experience from 0 - 5 years and has developed good relations with outside professionals and local schools in ensuring children transition into school at the age of 4.

Vicky has ELKLAN, ECAT and more recently WellComm training to support children's communication and language development.

Danielle has gained her level 2 and 3 qualifications in her early years, along with her paediatric first aid, food hygiene and safeguarding. Danielle has been part of the team at the nursery for 17 years and has worked from a trainee to a senior supervisor. Danielle is a confident leader and has excellent organising skill.

Danielle brings many experiences to the team and community, and enjoys interacting with our local care home with the children, giving them aspects of British values and cultural capital. This ensures children have gained vast life experiences. Within the nursery environment, she encourages and involves parents in their child's nursery journey and ensures quality learning and education in the nursery environment.

Danielle has most recently become the deputy SENCO of the setting and also has a vast array of training, such as Keys to Communication, ELKLAN and WellComm.

Danielle has also undergone safer sleep training, safer eating and oversees this in our practice.

Amy is level 3 qualified in her early years, along with her paediatric first aid, food hygiene and safeguarding. She has been part of the team at the nursery for 17 years and has worked from a trainee up to a senior supervisor, and is currently a room leader.

Amy brings some fantastic learning opportunities to the setting and creates some inviting learning-rich environments for the children. Amy is trained in Phonics and is our lead professional in this area of expertise.

Beth is level 3 qualified and, alongside this, has completed paediatric first aid and safeguarding training. Beth is fully trained in Baby training, safer sleep, and safer eating and has completed leadership courses.

Beth has a warm nature and is very nurturing towards our children.

Natalie has been a valuable team member at OTR for over 20 years. She has completed her Level 4 childcare qualifications, First Aid, Safer Sleep, Safer Food & Safeguarding.

Natalie has specialised in positive behaviour Management training and exemplary practice for 2-3-year-olds. Natalie has also completed food hygiene training and has trained in Special Educational Needs.

She has been at our setting for over 20 years and brings continuity to the team.

Gemma is level 3 qualified, and alongside this is Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding Training.

She has many years of experience in her role in the early years, along with being a mum of three children, which supports Gemma's understanding of all aspects of caring for young children.

She is our wellbeing officer at the setting who oversees the care and support of all the staff and children with fun weekly wellbeing Wednesdays. Gemma brings a ray of sunshine to anyone's day.

Gemma has a vast amount of training that includes safer sleep, safer eating to more educational programmes to develop our learning and development.

Kay is level 3 qualified and, alongside this, has completed Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding Training, safer sleep and safer eating, along with many other educational programs.

She, also mummy to daughter Wren, has a vast amount of experience from both an educational background and that of a mummy. Kay also brings to the setting her love of dance teaching background to support children's joy of music and movement, and to develop their physical development.

Chloe holds a level 3 qualification in childcare and development. Chloe has worked at our setting for a number of years and brings a caring and nurturing nature to the team. Chloe is very responsive to children's health and wellbeing and brings her years of being a mummy of two to the setting.

Chloe in addition to this, has paediatric first aid and safeguarding training and completed a full Level 4 SEND qualification that supports our SEND children at the setting.

Caitlin holds a Level 3 qualification and has completed paediatric first aid, safer sleep and safer eating training and holds relevant safeguarding training. She is a very loyal employee who is always happy to help and offers her support when needed.

Caitlin is very attentive and nurturing when working with your children.

Tanya is Level 2 qualified and completed her training at the setting. Tanya has a very calm, caring nature, and this is reflected in her practice. Tanya has been at OTR for 6 years, where she has built confidence.

Tanya has recently become a new mummy to her son Kade and is currently enjoying some well-earned time off on MAT leave.
She hopes to return to work towards the end of the year.

Molly joined our setting in October of 2024, working part-time, 3 days a week. She is Level 3 qualified and has many years of experience working in Early Years settings. Molly has completed specialist training for babies, safer sleeping, and safer eating and holds a full and relevant First Aid and Safeguarding qualification.

She brings creativity to our team and the children's day through fun activities that children love and enjoy. Molly is very creative and always has great ideas for the children to participate in.

Keisha joined our setting last year, having been on MAT leave from her previous job. She and her son, aged 2, joined our team and have settled in well at the setting.

Keisha has gained her level 3 in Early Years and has worked in the sector for over nine years. Keisha has level 3 in Early years, has completed first aid and safeguarding, safer sleep and safer eating training.

She has a lot of experience working in early years and brings both her personal experiences as a mummy, along with her professional knowledge that she gained over the years. Keisha brings calm to a busy baby room and is not phased by upset or children who are unwell, she remains calm in an emergency and brings a nurturing calmness to our team.

Caitlin is Level 2 qualified and currently working towards her level three. Caitlin is also due to become a mummy to twins. She has completed safeguarding training, safer sleep, Safer eating, First aid and allergy and intolerance training. Caitlin has many years of childcare training and experience.

Isabelle joined the OTR team in the summer of 2025. Isabelle is currently training in her level 2 childcare and education and has settled into the role well. Throughout their time with us, Isabelle has shown a natural ability to connect with the children, supporting their learning through play, creativity, and kindness. From helping with daily routines to encouraging little ones to explore and grow, they have become a valued part of our nursery team. Isabelle is due to qualify this September 2026.

Trainees at OTR are additional staff to support the qualified team whilst training to the standards and high expectations at OTR.

Ella joined our team in September 2025 and is working towards her Level 2 childcare and education. During the past few months, she has demonstrated a professional attitude, a strong willingness to learn, and a genuine commitment to supporting the development and well-being of the children. Ella's confidence is growing as she engages effectively in daily routines and is growing in confidence in contributing to a positive and nurturing learning environment.

Trainees at OTR are additional staff to support the qualified team whilst training to the standards and high expectations at OTR.

Olivia has been training at OTR since November 2025. During this time, she has shown a warm and caring approach when working with the children, alongside a positive attitude and a genuine eagerness to learn. Olivia is becoming increasingly confident in supporting daily routines and creating a nurturing, engaging environment for the children.

We are very proud of the progress Olivia is making and look forward to seeing her continue to grow and succeed in their early years career.

All trainees at OTR are employed as additional support for the qualified team and are not counted in ratios unless there is an emergency, such as sudden staff absence.