Meet the Team

Jackie Knee

Nursery Manager

Jackie has been working for Casterbridge Nurseries since 2007, starting at our sister nursery 'Nursery on the Green' in Frimley moving to progress in this field to Footsteps in Farnborough in 2009 working as a unit coordinator and then as an acting Deputy Manager in November 2010 (to cover maternity leave).

Jackie completed her NVQ Level 3 in Childcare in January 2009, through the Casterbridge Academy (our in-house training school), and gained her Early Years Foundation degree through Kingston University in June 2011.

Jackie transferred to Dolphin Nursery in September 2011 to carry on her role as Deputy Manager.

Jackie is engaged and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her fiance, friends and family.

Vicky Jones

Nursery Manager - Maternity Leave

Vicky gained her DCE in July 2003 and started working at the nursery in May 2005 as Room Manager of the 1-2’s unit, which she thoroughly enjoyed. After over a year and half Vicky was then given the opportunity to transfer to the baby unit, working with babies aged between 3 - 15 months old. The experience was an incredible challenge, allowing her to grasp an even better understanding of the different needs of each age group. Vicky also welcomed the chance to do something different every day.

Vicky was promoted to Nursery Deputy Manager in January 2008 and Nursery Manager in August 2011.

Nikki Hopcraft

Deputy Manager

Nikki has been working in childcare since 1998 and with Dolphin since 2001. During this time she has been the Room Manager of Oysters and then Stingrays, which are both in the 2-3's unit of the nursery. Nikki is also the Junior Deputy Manager of the nursery.

Nursery and Preschool is Nikki's favourite age group of children as the children all have such different characters and their personalities start to shine.

Nikki has a little girl Grace who attends Dolphin Nursery.

Amanda English

Room Manager/Deputy Manager

Emma Blake

Nursery Chef

Emma has worked in catering for 16 years and joined the Dolphin team in October 2008. Before Emma joined our team she worked as a cook in a Nursing home were she started as an assistant and trained up as the Cook.

Since she has arrived, Emma has achieved 5 Stars with the scores on the doors through the Environmental Health Agency.

Emma also enjoys going into the nursery were she carries out cooking sessions with the children.

Hayley Valentine

Starfish room Manager

Hayley is the room manager for Starfish, she recently moved from our preschool to develop and further her career. Hayley finished secondary school in 2008, at school I took child development as one of my GCSE’s. I now hold my NVQ 3.

Kerry Manwaring

Room Manager of Seaturtles 1 year-2 year old

Kerry joined the Dolphin team in 2001 as a Nursery Assistant. During the next few years at Dolphin, Kerry worked towards gaining her NVQ Level 2 and Level 3. She completed her qualification in 2006. Since then Kerry has progressed to the position of Room Manager.

Kerry especially likes to see the children in her care develop with their walking and communication skills.

Sarah Edwards

Stingrays Room Manager

Sarah has worked at Dolphin Nursery since July 2010, Sarah has experience with all age groups particularly the 2-3 year olds due to being able to watch them develop as individual’s.

Louise Phillips

Room Manager of Oysters 2 year-3 year olds - Maternity leave

Louise joined the Dolphin team in November 1998 as a Nursery Assistant. Over the next few years with the company Louise worked to gaining her NVQ level 2 and level 3, She completed her qualification in 2007.

Since then Louise has progressed to the position of Room Manager in our Oysters room which is within our 2-3 year old unit. Louise especially enjoys mentoring new staff and helping the children in her room grow and develop.

Becky Giles

Preschool Teacher

Becky joined the Dolphin team in October 2010. Becky has a Qualified Teacher Status qualification which she gained in August 2003. Since gaining her qualification Becky worked at L'Ecole des Petits in London where she taught children aged 2 years 6 months- 3 year olds.

Becky is really enjoying developing the preschool at Dolphin and is looking forward to teaching the children and implementing weekly French lessons.