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Introducing
the D-Dee’s family
Debbie Gunn
Nursery Director and Manager
From a young age Debbie wanted to open her own day nursery and she did that in 1996 when she opened D-Dee’s doors for the very first time. Debbie has two grown up children, Josh and Meg and is dedicated to making the early year’s really positive for our little people. Debbie has a BA(HONS) in Early Childhood Education and Care and loves nothing better than sharing her knowledge with her staff team. She is very proud to have led the nursery to outstanding and feels that the team she has right now are the best she has ever worked with. Debbie believes children need to explore their surroundings and be allowed to take risk, nurturing independence and allowing them to make mistakes is key to the development of all children. The pride she has for D-Dee’s is enormous and she would love to show you around so you can feel the homely, family environment for yourself.
‘D-Dee’s is my third child, I am proud of each member of my team and of every little person who individually teach us something new everyday.’
Dawn Scott-Elvey
Assistant Manager.
Dawn has worked at D-Dee’s since 1999 having worked with early years children since leaving school. She has a level 3 in Early Years and is a mum to Max who is at secondary school. Dawn enjoys being part of the D-Dee’s team as she thrives on working with and leading the educators across the nursery. She is key to our family partnership; working with parents to settle in children as well as closely transitioning our children to school when the time comes. Dawn is affectionately known by our children as ‘Dawnie’ and everyone knows that a Dawnie hug always makes the world better! We are lucky to have someone with such a big heart playing such an important role in our team.
‘D-Dee’s has a special place in my heart, I could not work anywhere else.’
Lynsey Knight
Baby Room Lead Educator
Lynsey has worked at D-Dee’s since 1999 and says she cannot imagine working anywhere else. She has a Level 3 in early years and has worked with this age group since leaving school. Lynsey is mum to Zak who is at secondary school. Lynsey is particularly interested in the way children learn and will often come into nursery with something new to share with her team. Schematic play and how children use our open ended resources really fascinates Lynsey; she will find ways to support each child’s unique way of thinking to best nurture their development. For Lynsey her role is a privilege and the most important thing to her is that the children feel safe, happy and loved.
‘I hope I help our families to be confident that they have made the right choice in D-Dee’s for their little VIP’s.’
Katie Weller
Baby Room Lead Educator
Katie has worked at D-Dee's since 2003, prior to this she was our student completing both her level 2 and level 3 in early years here at D-Dee's. Katie has two children, one at primary school and the other a teenager. Katie feels honoured to be chosen to care for parent's precious babies. She loves every aspect of her job role, whether forming close relationships with her families, giving cuddles to a child to help them feel safe and secure or getting very messy with sensory experiences. Katie feels she can really help to make a difference to children's lives by working as part of the D-Dee's family.
‘What really matters is that the children feel safe and happy. Their very own unique personalities are nurtured in our ever evolving environment’
Jacky Clark
Early Years Educator
Jacky has been part of our 2-5 year team since 2001 having joined us from another setting, she has a Level 3 Early Years Qualification and loves watching children’s confidence grow in her care. Jacky is mum to 3 girls including twins, Faith, Georgia and Olivia who are all at school and this has helped her to support parents. Jacky is a confident practitioner who thrives on seeing children achieve. Jacky particularly enjoys supporting our children who have English as an Additional Langauge (EAL) or those with additional speech and language needs. She works alongside our SENCO and Wellbeing lead to fully support all of our children. She is also the mentor for our apprentices ensuring that they are being supported effectively. Jacky loves going out beyond the nursery with our children especially in the depths of the wood where she will always manage to help them find mud!
‘I love supporting our children to be the best that they can be!’
Jemma Kaye
Senior Early Years Educator and Special Educational Needs and Disability Advocate
Jemma joined the D-Dee’s family in 2015 not long after qualifying in her Level 3 in Early Years at another setting. Jemma has two grown up children, Jeran and Bella and her little surprise, Iris who attends D-Dee's with her. Jemma's passion for all things early years is evident when you meet her. Jemma is amazed by the learning that takes place for a child in the early years, where your child will learn more than at any other time in their life. She appreciates how our little people can experience total wonderment and frustration all in the same second. Jemma believes all children have a right to shine and as such is a champion for our SEND children and their families. She has a particular interest in children with autism and is keen to learn more to support these children and their families.
‘The world of early years is constantly changing but it is an amazing world to be part of.’
Shannon Wicks
Senior Early Years Educator
Shannon joined us in 2021 as a senior level 3 educator in our baby room. Shannon has a beautiful calmness around her and always finds time for each and every child to feel special. Shannon has worked with children across the early years age ranges and is happy to support the work of our team in any way that she can. Shannon is always busy, will always put her children first and is always diligent in her work.
Shannon is also mum to two boys, one at school and her little one who joins her at D-Dee's and shares her love of all things play.
'The best thing about my job is creating different experiences for the children to enjoy and learn from. I also love watching their faces when they realise they have achieved something new or managed to do something that has been too tricky before, it’s a really rewarding job.'
Michelle Carlton
Special Educational Needs and Wellbeing Lead
Shell is our SEN and Wellbeing lead. She had previously worked at D-Dee's as a keyperson and we welcomed her back in 2021 in this new role, and we could not be happier.
Shell brings her smile to work with her every day, she is a great listener and never casts a judgment on children or families. She gives her time freely and will do whatever needs to be done to ensure the right support is in place. She may be providing training or one to one support, she may be a listening ear for a parent who is struggling with bedtimes or she may just check in with someone who looked like it was a bad day. We are so lucky to have her back as part of our team.
Shell lives locally with her husband, daughters and grandson. She loves to travel, especially to new Zealand to visit her son and his family.
Charlie Suntah
Early Years Practitioner
Charlie joined us in 2015 as our early years apprentice and upon completion of her Level 2 apprenticeship we asked her to join the team as an early years practitioner. Charlie worked really hard to gain her level 3 qualification and is loved dearly by all of our children. We then shared Charlie's joy as she had Rosie, who is at primary school and little Henry, who joins her at nursery. Charlie has grown in confidence enormously as her knowledge has grown. She is a keyperson in our over two room and the children are lucky to have someone so attuned with their individual needs. Charlie clearly knows her children and is able to plan for their needs appropriately for their next steps. She is able to respond to the needs of our quieter or more reserved children with such empathy that it is a joy to see their confidence grow. Charlie looks forward to meeting new children and helping them to feel part of our family.
‘I am learning all the time. All of the team and children here have helped me to develop into the practitioner that I am today. I am very proud to be here.’
Lea Klech
Nursery Chef
Lea joined our team in 2015 and is our nursery chef. She not only prepares and cooks amazing meals but also devises our menus and keeps our kitchen beautifully clean. She has consistently been awarded a 5 star environmental health rating at our inspections. Lea works with families to support children who have special dietary requirements or our sometimes reluctant eaters. We often find that those who do not eat at home will eat Lea's dinners with gusto. Nothing makes Lea happier than a stack of empty plates at the end of a mealtime.
Lea lives locally and has two grown up sons and a gorgeous grandson.
'I love seeing those happy faces as the children enjoy their food. Seeing a reluctant eater try something new is always rewarding, and it is a joy to share empty plate tales with families.'
Lisa Travers
Early Years Practitioner
Lisa, who joined us in 2020 has her level 2 early years practitioner qualification and we are very lucky to have her as a keyperson in our baby room. She not only has five daughters but also six grandsons and her newest addition a granddaughter. She is naturally warm and nurturing and our children radiate to her. Lisa has made lovely connections with both our children, families and team. One of our key values is to give children time, and Lisa never hurries our little people, she always gives them time to be what they want or need to be right now.
'I am so lucky to be able to play, care for and support the growing knowledge of our littlest little people in the baby room. The bonds that we form together are magical, being in the moment with our babies is such a joy.'
Tayla Brice
Early Years Practitioner
Tayla joined us in the Summer of 2021 as a Level 2 Early Years Apprentice and is now a fully qualified practitioner and keyperson in our nursery room. Tayla enjoys learning about child development and the theory of how children learn.
Tayla loves to get busy with our children and the more creative and messy the better. She has a lovely calmness around her when with the children and understands the need to give them the time that they need to think and work things out for themselves. Sharing and celebrating achievements together are proud moments for Tayla. She understand that time is one of the most important things that she can give our little people and she brings calmness to many situations.
'I love seeing and sharing the smiles on children's faces as they achieve something new, it is always such a proud moment and amazing to be part of.'
Mia Davison
Early Years Practitioner
Mia joined us in November 2021 as an Early Years Apprentice and very quickly showed that it was right place for her, she quickly gained a position as an early years practitioner within our baby room. Mia completed her both her level 2 and level 3 early years qualifications with us. She has a natural empathy for our children and is keen to learn more about all things early years. Mia is a keyperson in our baby room, and the attachments that she forms with her children are a joy to see. She understands that children need time to develop these and how these can shape future relationships for our little people.
'I do not know if the children will remember me, but I will always remember them, and how in such a short time I will have influenced their futures - what a privilege.'
Charley-Lou Cato
Early Years Practitioner
Charley-Lou began her early years adventure here at D-Dee's in 2022, when she joined us as an apprentice. She completed her level 2 early years practitioner qualification and is a delight to have at nursery. Charley-Lou is an amazing practitioner who always gives her children her time. She is keen to learn more about early years and is always keen to do the very best for her keychildren.
'From working in the nursery room observing children engaged in imaginative play, to watching and celebrating a baby taking their first steps. It is all so rewarding, I am so lucky to work with these amazing children.'
Emma Saunders
Early Years Educator
Emma joined the D-Dee’s family in 2023 and quickly became an invaluable part of our team. Always smiley and calm, Emma brings a nurturing presence to the nursery and is a true advocate for children.
From the outset, Emma shared her knowledge and understanding with enthusiasm, soon stepping into the role of keyperson within the nursery room. She has a special gift for connecting with children who may need a little extra support, showing deep empathy and adapting her practice to meet their individual needs.
Emma’s fun, gentle nature makes her a joy to be around—for both children and colleagues alike—and we feel very lucky to have her as part of our team.
Emma Manning
Early Years Educator
Emma joined us in 2024 as an experienced Early Years Educator and quickly became a valued part of our nursery team. With three children of her own—two of whom attend D-Dee’s with her—Emma brings both professional expertise and a nurturing, family-focused approach to her role.
Working in the nursery room, Emma is always smiley, kind, and caring. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and is especially skilled at getting down to the children’s level to engage with them in meaningful, playful ways. Naturally attuned to children’s needs, Emma is a calm, dependable presence who is always there when a child needs support, comfort, or encouragement.
We’re so pleased to have Emma as part of our team.
Georgia Risbridger
Early Years Educator
Georgia joined us in 2025 and completed her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification as part of the D-Dee’s team. She is kind, compassionate, and brings a calm, nurturing presence to the nursery.
Georgia works beautifully with her key children, forming strong, supportive relationships that help them thrive. She has a creative approach to planning, often coming up with fun and imaginative activities that really capture the children’s interests. Her naturally caring nature and gentle manner make her a valued member of our team and a trusted adult for the children in her care.
We’re so proud to have Georgia as part of the D-Dee’s family.
Dulcie Noble
Early Years Apprentice
Dulcie joined us in 2024 as an Early Years Apprentice and has quickly grown into a confident and capable member of our team. She successfully completed her Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification with us and is now continuing her journey by working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
Dulcie brings enthusiasm, warmth, and a genuine love for working with children. She is always eager to learn, keen to get involved, and is developing her practice beautifully as she builds her confidence and experience within the nursery.
We’re proud to support Dulcie’s journey and delighted to have her as part of our team.
