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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 came to nursery but is an adult himself now too. 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’
Jemma Kaye
Nursery Room Lead Educator
Jemma joined the D-Dee’s family in 2015 after qualifying in her Level 3 in Early Years. Jemma has two grown up children, and her little surprise, Iris who is at primary school. 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.’
Emma Manning
SEN & Wellbeing Lead Co-Ordinator
Emma joined us in 2024 as an experienced Early Years Educator and quickly became a valued part of our nursery team. We could see how much she celebrated with children and families and when the role became available we offered her our SEN and Wellbeing Lead Co-Ordinator post. 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.
Jacky Clark
SEN & Wellbeing Advocate
Jacky has been part of our 2-5 year team since 2001, 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 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 SEN and Wellbeing lead to fully support all of our children. 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!’
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.'
Charlie Suntah
Early Years Educator
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.’
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.'
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.'
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.'
Dulcie Noble
Early Years Practitioner
Dulcie joined D-Dee’s in 2024 as an Early Years Apprentice and has quickly grown into a confident and capable member of our team. She has already achieved her Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification with us and is now working towards her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification as she continues her professional journey.
Super creative and wonderfully kind, Dulcie has a natural gift for engaging children in exciting activities that spark their imagination and curiosity. She is full of enthusiasm, always eager to learn, and is developing her practice beautifully as her confidence and experience grow.
As a key person, Dulcie builds warm and trusting relationships with her children and their families, offering the reassurance and support each child needs to thrive. The children love spending time with her, and her caring, gentle approach helps them feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore new ideas.
We are proud to support Dulcie on her journey and delighted to have her as a much-loved part of our D-Dee’s family.
Heidi White
Early Years Practitioner
Heidi became part of our D-Dee’s family in 2024, starting her journey with us as an apprentice. Since then, she has worked incredibly hard and proudly gained her Early Years Practitioner qualification. Always eager to learn and grow, Heidi is now studying towards her Level 3 Educator qualification, and we are delighted to be supporting her as she continues to build her knowledge and skills.
Heidi has such a warm and joyful presence in our Nursery Room. She is naturally fun to be with, and her super-smiley, upbeat personality makes her someone children are instantly drawn to. Whether she’s joining in with play, leading activities, or offering comfort, Heidi has a lovely way of making every child feel valued and secure.
As a key person, she builds strong, caring relationships with her children and their families, ensuring each child feels supported in their unique journey. Heidi is already a much-loved member of our team, and we are excited to see her flourish even further as she grows with us.
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.
Emma Yeung
Early Years Apprentice
Emma joined D-Dee’s in 2025 as an Early Years Apprentice and is currently working towards her Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification. She feels very lucky to be beginning her journey into the world of early years at an Outstanding nursery, where she is already becoming a valued part of the team.
For Emma, early years teaching is more than just a career, it’s a chance to make a real difference. She finds it incredibly rewarding to know she can have a positive impact on young children’s lives, supporting their development and contributing to their future success.
Emma brings enthusiasm, kindness, and a genuine love for working with children. She is always eager to learn, to get involved, and to build her skills as she grows in confidence.
