Happy Hills Day Nursery & After Schools Club (Blackwatertown)

Michelle brings over 27 years of experience in the childcare sector, having dedicated her entire career to supporting the growth and development of young children. She has held a variety of roles over the years, including tutoring and assessing childcare qualifications from Level 2 through Level 5 in the private sector.

Michelle works across both Happy Hills Day Nursery settings in Markethill and Blackwatertown, sharing her depth of knowledge, enthusiasm, and leadership with both teams. She has also undertaken training in Reggio Emilia, Italy, which has strengthened her belief in child-led, creative learning. In addition, she has a strong passion for Hygge in Early Years, embracing the importance of warmth, calm, and comfort in creating emotionally supportive environments for children and staff alike.

Childcare has been the only professional environment Michelle has ever worked in—a true reflection of her passion, commitment, and adaptability in an ever-evolving early years sector. Read less

Andrea opened Happy Hills Day Nursery Markethill in 2016 after returning to Northern Ireland from London, where she built a successful career in Retail and Human Resources. She has skilfully applied her HR expertise within Happy Hills, strengthening team development, communication, and overall nursery management.

Over 10 years ago, Andrea completed her Level 5 Leadership and Management training in Early Years, and she has since continued to expand her professional knowledge. She has also undertaken training in Reggio Emilia, Italy, inspired by the child-led approach that promotes creativity, independence, and exploration.

Andrea works across both Happy Hills Day Nursery settings in Markethill and Blackwatertown, supporting staff and ensuring a consistent, high-quality standard of care across both nurseries. She has a strong passion for Hygge in Early Years, focusing on creating warm, calm, and welcoming environments where children and staff feel safe, valued, and connected.

With over 10 years of experience working in early years education, Andrea combines compassion, professionalism, and creativity to ensure that Happy Hills Day Nursery continues to thrive as a joyful and nurturing place for every child. Read less

Carolyn brings over 23 years of experience in the early years sector, having worked with children from birth to 12 years of age across a range of childcare settings, including day nurseries and playgroups. Manager of Happy Hills Day Nursery and Afterschool Club since its opening in 2021.

Throughout her career, Carolyn has remained committed to continuous professional development. She has progressed from a Level 2 qualification in Childcare to achieving a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies, reflecting her dedication to delivering high-quality early years education and care.

Carolyn's extensive experience has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of child development, safeguarding, inclusive practice, and the importance of creating nurturing, stimulating environments where every child can thrive. She is passionate about supporting children to become confident, capable learners while recognising and responding to their individual needs and interests.

As Manager, Carolyn provides strong leadership and works closely with the nursery team to maintain the highest standards of care, learning, and professional practice. She is committed to fostering a positive culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that every child receives the best possible start in life and that families feel valued, supported, and involved in their child's early learning journey.

Carolyn warmly welcomes prospective and current families to contact the nursery with any questions and looks forward to meeting you and your child. Read less

Tiarnan has been working in childcare for over 21 years and loves helping children learn, grow, and have fun every day. He holds a Level 3 qualification in Children’s Care, Learning and Development, along with a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Children’s Care, Learning and Development.

Tiarnan joined Happy Hills Day Nursery five years ago as a Nursery Assistant. Thanks to his hard work, dedication, and genuine passion for childcare, he has progressed to the role of Deputy Manager.

Known for his friendly nature, positive attitude, and great sense of humour, Tiarnan enjoys building strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues. He is passionate about creating a warm, welcoming environment where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Whether he's supporting children's learning through play or sharing a smile and a laugh, Tiarnan is always committed to making each day at Happy Hills a happy and memorable one. Read less