At Clever Clogs Nurseries we place huge emphasis on specially selecting staff for their caring and loving nature, as well as making sure that they are highly professional and committed with recognised childcare qualifications.
We aim to provide a harmonious and happy environment for our staff which consequently creates a nurturing, supportive and caring environment for children and parents.
All of our staff must be Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) approved before employment begins, and all staff, at a very minimum, hold Basic First Aid training and Basic Food Hygiene certificates.
Because of our great reputation we attract the highest calibre of applicants for every vacancy and our effective staff recruitment and selection procedures mean we are able to appoint staff that are of the highest possible standard and are an asset to the Clever Clogs family.
On starting with us, all staff undergo an intensive induction training programme to familiarise themselves with our standards and procedures and to get to know the parents and children they will be working with on a daily basis.
Training is continually provided to ensure that we keep up-to-date with the latest and best practices and regular personal development reviews give staff the opportunity to continually improve and grow.
We have an incredibly high staff retention rate which shows our staff are happy in their jobs and this reassures parents that their child’s care is at the forefront of our minds.
Our team will go above and beyond to look after the children in our nursery and will work tirelessly to provide tailored care to suit each and every child. We will work with parents to provide appropriate care and will happily accommodate needs and meet any special requirements.
We believe it is the combination of our passion and dedication that makes us different from other childcare providers – looking after children is not just a job, it’s our lives and it is the reason we jump out of bed in the morning!
Andrea Townsley - Nursery Proprietor
As a mother of three young children herself, Andrea knows how important it is for parents to find nursery care they are comfortable with that offers a loving and supportive environment for children. It’s her understanding, commitment and passion that led Andrea to building her first nursery in Belmont and subsequently running three successful nurseries.
All of Andrea’s children have attended nursery and it’s this experience that helps her shape her own business and company ethos of providing a home away from home for children who attend her nurseries. Andrea’s youngest Lexie was even ‘site tester’ when she purchased the two new nurseries which led to more dolls being added to Hartlepool and a sandpit being installed at Bowburn.
Although a very experienced businesswoman Andrea knows each and every child and parent in all three of her nurseries and regularly welcomes families in the morning, says hello during settling in sessions and joins tours. Her friendly, loving and approachable manor means parents and children are comfortable asking her any questions they may have and they trust her instinct.
Andrea’s passion is to provide friendly, caring, supportive, learning environments for children to allow them to thrive and reach their full potential. Andrea understands the needs of parents and children and wants each and every child to love their time at the nurseries and for parents to feel happy and secure in the knowledge that their child is being well looked after.
Emma Holtby - Nursery Manager
Emma is one of the founding staff members of the Clever Clogs family of nurseries having been instrumental in launching the company in 2007 when the first nursery in Belmont was built.
Having joined the company as a practitioner Emma’s natural ability, loving nature and commitment shone through and she was soon promoted to deputy manager before taking over the role of acting manager to cover maternity leave.
When Bowburn was bought out in 2011 Emma was the natural choice to manage the site and she set about with her new team on transforming the nursery into a first-class childcare facility.
Emma was instrumental in bringing the Clever Clogs Nursery in Bowburn up to scratch overseeing the decorating, adding facilities and toys, setting up new classes and implementing effective administration procedures.
Having been heavily instrumental in helping Belmont achieve its Outstanding grading from Ofsted, Emma has successfully transferred her knowledge and processes gained during her time at Belmont to the Bowburn site; brining it in-line with the high standards expected by Clever Clogs Nurseries.
Emma carries out all tours of the nursery and will spend substantial time with parents and children to ensure she answers all questions and to make sure children are settling in well and parents are happy and comfortable.
As an experienced nursery manager Emma ensures all educational requirements are achieved and works with external parties and the local council to provide high quality teachings within the nursery.
Emma also helped create special areas within the nursery such as a dressing up corner, a computer area, arts and crafts, healthy eating and food information, music area, reading snugs and a raised planting garden. Emma ensures Clever Clogs Bowburn offers children a comfortable, homely, inviting, fun and educational environment where they can make friends and grow.
With a vast amount of knowledge of childcare and educational policy, Emma has recently gained her Early Years Professional Status, which is the highest qualification open to professionals working with children.
