Our People
We know how vital it is to leave your child with someone you can trust.
All of our staff are fully qualified in Paediatric First Aid and nearly all of our staff hold a minimum of a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare. This not only meets, but far exceeds, Ofsted expectations for how a nursery is managed. Two of our staff are nursery nurses who are currently studying for their level 3 childcare educator diploma.
We work in Partnership with Hackney Council to deliver this award-winning apprenticeship programme: https://hackneyworks.hackney.gov.uk/apprenticeships
We are proud to be part of the hackney Business Network and Apprenticeship employer network. We are honoured to have been nominated runner up as best apprenticeship employer in 2020. https://investinhackney.org/han
Alongside our capable room leaders we have one full-time teacher (QTS) to oversee the educational curriculum. In this way, we ensure that our older children leave our nursery fully ‘school ready’, as well as fulfilling our innovative staff and child wellbeing programmes and intergenerational project.
Our staff are competent, focussed and dedicated professionals who take their career seriously and are proud to work here. In turn, we really look after them, nurture them, train them, pay them properly and ensure that their rights to full lunch hours and holiday pay are respected.
Our holistic approach extends to our team and, as a certified London Living Wage employer, we are proudly committed to this being our minimum salary scale.
In short, happy staff equals happy children and a well-functioning nursery. We have a ‘people over profit’ approach and it works well for us all. We have very low staff turnover, long term key person relationships, great peer support, a healthy and positive atmosphere and total dedication – all factors that are very important for children and families to experience.
Qualification & Training Information
Staff qualifications are cross checked against the DFE approved qualifications and the QAA subject benchmark statement for Early Childhood Studies. (Please see below links) Additional CPD training is either quality checked through the Early Years Alliance, CPD Certified or provided by our Local Borough (Hackney Learning trust)
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/eyfs-staffchild-ratios-dfe-approved-qualifications
Shiraz
Director
• MBA
• L3 Childcare Diploma
• Paediatric First Aider
My name is Shiraz, Director of Maisie Poppins Nursery & Pre-School and First Day Nursery.
I enjoy playing football and cricket and am currently the assistant coach at Frenford FC for their Under 12 team.
A passion of mine has always been making a difference to children. I feel strongly that nursery is the first place after home, where children can quickly develop, with the right environment, team, resources and ethos.
I am inspired by the holistic approach; it draws on a wide range of methodologies including Early Years educational frameworks, evidence-based research, neuroscience, forest school philosophy and the writings of Maria Montessori.
Steph
Business Manager
• BA Hons
• Level 5 Operational Management Learner
• Paediatric First Aider
• Effective Safeguarding Practice (Revised 2019)
• Implementing GDPR
• Safer Recruitment (Recruitment Team)
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Allergy Awareness Leaner
• FGM Awareness
I am the Business Manager at Maisie Poppins Nursery & Pre School. I started at Maisie Poppins in October 2018. I love the ethos, focus on wellbeing and the absolute joy of working with children at Maisie Poppins. I have progressed and grown with the Nursery, helping to open a second building and working through the pandemic to become a more confident and capable member of the Poppins team. I really enjoy working with such a talented, inspiring and caring staff team that always come up with innovative ways to help the children learn and develop.
Marian
Lead Manager and Nursery SENDCO
• BA Hons Education (Early Childhood Studies)
• Level 3 Childcare and Education (NVQ)
• Pre School Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Designated Lead for Staff Allegations
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Coordinator (SENDCO)
• National Vocation Qualification in Childcare and Education
• Paediatric First Aider
• Adult First Aid
• Child Protection Level 3
• Safer Recruitment (Recruitment Team)
• Makaton Trained
• SEN Trained
• Trained to deliver on The Scope: Including Me
• City and Guild Level 4 Preparing to Teach in Lifelong Learning Sector
•Solihull Foundation trained and soon to embark on the Solihull Train the trainer course to be able to deliver the Solihull Approach to the staff team.
• FGM Awareness
• The Prevent Duty in an Early Years Environment
My role is to oversee the running of the nursery and preschool embedding all the elements of the EYFS. I also coordinate support for children with Special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to bring the necessary services together to participate in putting a support package to enable children to have the best outcomes possible as they deserve; in lines with the SEND Code of Practice 2017. I have been working within the Early Years field for the past 33 years. I love dancing, singing, walking and talking all which I like to use to motivate children in exploring the possibility of something different.
Karlene
Deputy Manager
• BA Hons Learning and Teaching (2017)
• Early Childhood Studies 'Foundation Degree' (2013)
• NVQ Level 3 in Childcare/early years (2011)
• Paediatric First Aider
• FGM Awareness
My name is Karlene and I hold a Level 6 in childcare. I have a Early Years foundation degree, BA Hons in Learning and Teaching alongside further CPD training such as Designed safeguarding, First Aid, Behaviour management and many more. I have been working in childcare for 18 years with 10 years of working in leadership roles. Child development is a real passion of mine and I find the theories behind how children learn and the early intervention for each individual fascinating.
Fahima
Deputy Manager
• BA Hons Childcare Studies (2016)
• Paediatric First Aider
• Child Protection Advanced Level 3
• Food Hygiene Level 2
• Effective Safeguarding Practice (Revised 2019) Level 2
• How to be an effective Fire Warden or Fire Marshall Level 2
• Allergen Awareness Learner
• FGM Awareness
• The Prevent Duty in an Early Years Environment
Previous Elder room leader. I am now Deputy Manager and love working here as everyone at Maisie Poppins is very friendly, welcoming and extremely supportive. I have worked in both primary schools and in early years settings since 2010. I have experience working with ages ranging from just a few months up to 11 years of age. I always put an emphasis on care and effective team development. I have a very positive relationship with children and take great pleasure in providing support to the staff. I also have a passion for supporting children’s learning and watching them grow and flourish.
Aza
Finance Officer
• BA Honours Business Management (2019)
• Paediatric First Aider
• Data Protection Officer
• GDPR Level 2
• Child Protection Level 3
• Safer Recruitment (Recruitment Team)
• Allergen Awareness Learner
I have been studying the art of business since the age of 13 and am the admin and finance officer at Maisie Poppins. On my learning journey I have studied at several levels ranging from Level 2 Business Studies to finally completing my business degree in 2019. In November of 2019 I was given the opportunity put all my learning into practice at Maisie Poppins Nursery. It has given me a different perspective of business and has opened my eyes giving me a further insight to how businesses operate. Numbers are a passion of mine and it helps me thrive in my role.
Olivia
Hazel Room Senior Educator and Level 5 Apprentice
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care (Early Years Educator)
(2016)
• Diploma in Higher Education in Education Studies (2020)
• Paediatric First Aider
• Child protection Level 3 Advanced
• Food Hygiene and Safety
• FGM Awareness
Sarah
Hazel Room Practitioner and Level 5 Apprentice
• BA Hons Childhood and Youth Studies (2020)
• Paediatric first Aider
• Child protection Advanced Level 3
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
• Effective Safeguarding Practice (Revised 2019) Level 2
• How to be an effective Fire Warden or Fire Marshall Level 2
• Allergen Awareness
• Food Hygiene Level 2
I am the Hazel Room Practitioner and Teacher in Training. I have the responsibility of maintaining the high-quality of day to day running of the room and to provide care and a stimulating learning environment for children. I recently graduated in Childhood and Youth Studies and started my career in childcare at Maisie Poppins in 2020. I would describe myself as a kind-hearted person, who always cares for others. My goal is to help children shape their unique personalities and achieve a valuable start in life while flourishing under my care.
Sherona
Willow Room Leader
• EDI Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce
(2013)
• Paediatric First Aider
• EDI Level 2 Key Skills in Information Communication Technology
Timara
Willow Room Educator
• PEARSON EDEXCEL Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development (Early Years Educator)
(2019)
• Paediatric First Aider
• Child Protection Advanced Level 3 Learner
• Food Hygiene & Safety Level 2
• Effective Safeguarding Practice (Revised 2019) Level 2
• How to be an effective Fire Warden or Fire Marshall Level 2
• Allergen Awareness
• Implementing GDPR
I’m currently a nursery senior educator at the great Maisie Poppins Nursery. This is an important role to me because I enjoy helping children to develop physical and social skills, and also love to see them grow and learn at different stages. I enjoy interacting with the children through messy and physical play. Over the past two years I’ve achieved my level 3 qualifications and also a designated safeguarding leader qualification.
Asia
Willow Room Educator
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
(2020)
• Paediatric First Aider
• Food Hygiene & Safety
Selin
Elder Room Leader
• PEARSON EDEXCEL Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development (Early Years Educator)
(2021)
• Paediatric First Aider
• Implementing GDPR
• GDPR Trained
• Prevent Duty Trained
• Food Hygiene Level 2
• Food Hygiene and Safety
• FGM Awareness
Fahima
Elder Room Educator
• BA Hons Childcare Studies (2015)
• CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education (2012)
• Paediatric First Aider
• Child Protection Level 2
• Child Protection Advanced Level 3 Learner
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
• Safeguarding and Child Protection Level 2 Introduction to Child Protection Learner
• How to be an effective Fire Warden or Fire Marshall Level 2
• Allergen Awareness
• FGM Awareness
Hello, my name is Fahima and I am a nursery educator. I’ve been working in early years for 10 years. As well as a Level 2 and 3 in childcare, I have also completed my degree in early childhood studies. I want to profess further into my career as I have a passion for all areas in early years, in the future i would love to work in social care within the early years sector.
Tricia
Elder Room Practitioner and Early Years Level 5 Apprentice
• PEARSON EDEXCEL Level 3 Diploma for the Children & Young Peoples Workforce (Social Care) (QCF) (2017)
• Paediatric First Aider
• Child Protection Advanced Level 3 learner
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
• Effective Safeguarding Practice (Revised 2019) Level 2
• How to be an effective Fire Warden or Fire Marshall Level 2
• Allergen Awareness
• FGM Awareness
• Prevent Duty in an Early Years Environment
3
I am a level 5 Apprentice in Elder Room. The children are all very unique and wonderful and have amazing, bubbly personalities which I’m proud to be around. I spend time with the children helping them learn and grow through play in a safe, secure and happy environment as well as help plan activities which promote supporting the children’s individual needs and interests which are promoting growth in their developments using the famous EYFS. I love growing my knowledge and understanding in the childcare setting to become a positive team leader one day.
Viveene
Pre School Room Leader
• CACHE Level 3 NVQ in Children’s Care, Learning & Development
(2010)
• Foundation Degree in working with Young People and Young Peoples Services
(2014)
• ASET Diploma in Child Psychology
(2008)
• Paediatric First Aider
• FGM Awareness
Zehra
Olive Room Senior Educator
• PEARSON EDEXCEL Level 3 Diploma in Children's Learning and Development (Early Years Education) '2018'
• Paediatric First Aider
• Food Hygiene Level 2 Learner
• Child Protection Level 3 Learner
• Allergy Awareness
• FGM Awareness
I am an early years Senior Educator. I hold a level 3 diploma in childcare. I have been working in childcare for 5 years and have enjoyed every single second of my career. I chose to work with children as I feel it is an extremely rewarding job. I feel as though working with children brings happiness and laughter throughout the day and I like to make every single day feel special for all the children. I wish to grow In my career and continue to study and learn new things and feel as though Maisie Poppins in the perfect place to do so.
Sharmina
Bay Room Unqualified Practitioner
• BA Hons Education Studies (2020)
• Paediatric First Aider
• Child Protection Advanced Level 3
• Food Hygiene and Safety
• Effective Safeguarding Practice (Revised 2019) Level 2
• How to be an effective Fire Warden or Fire Marshall Level 2
• Allergen Awareness
• The Prevent Duty in an Early Years Environment
I am based Bay Room at Maisie Poppins. My role is to encourage and stimulate a child's learning capacities and empowering learning through experience, as well as support children inside a secure learning environment. I have been working in childcare since 2012 with a variety of ages. I enjoy having an impact on children’s lives to help them reach new goals and enjoy learning. Just to see the smiles on children’s faces when they learn something new gives me a sense of self-fulfilment.
Shajeda
Aspen Room Early Years Apprentice
• Early Years Educator Advanced Level 3 Apprenticeship Learner
• Paediatric First Aider
• Child Protection Advanced Level 3
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2 Learner
• Effective Safeguarding Practice (Revised 2019) Level 2
• How to be an effective Fire Warden or Fire Marshall Level 2
• Allergen Awareness Learner
I have been working with children since 2017 and joined Maisie Poppins in June 2019. So far, my journey has been amazing, I look forward to everyday with the staff and children around me. I enjoy bringing a smile to children’s faces and allowing them to find comfort and joy within our nursery. I am always making sure the children are in a positive environment and I especially enjoy hosting circle times & movement sessions with children. Maisie Poppins is the most supportive team I could imagine.
Markus
Operations Support
• BA Hons Business Management (Marketing) Learner
• Safer Recruitment
• Child Protection Advanced Level 3 Learner
• Effective Fire Warden or Fire
• Marshal Level 2 Learner
• Food Hygiene and Safety
Rezina
Kitchen Leader & Educator
• Childcare Level 3 Diploma
• Paediatric First Aider
• Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety for Catering
I am part of the Kitchen team At Maisie Poppins where I serve the children their lunch ensuring every child’s dietary needs are met. I also do the laundry, making sure the children have clean fresh beddings for sleep and keep the kitchen and everything within it squeaky clean! I have been working in childcare since I left school in 1999 and I have worked with all age groups. I enjoy watching children learn and grow through play. I really enjoy working at Maisie Poppins because everyone is so friendly and welcoming; I couldn’t have asked for a better workplace especially as the mother of five!
Shamsun
Kitchen Member
• NCF CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator)
• Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2
