Middlewood Nursery
Jemma Flanagan
Early Years Manager
Always ready with big grins and warm cuddles, Jemma is our smiling sunbeam of Middlewood Kindergarten. With an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and working towards her Level 5 in Leadership and Management in Children and Young People’s Workforce, she is one of life’s grafters but still manages to bring an enormous sense of fun to every occasion.
The best meal she’s ever had is her Mum’s meat and potato pie with super thick pastry and Henderson’s Relish. What Sheffield lad or lass doesn’t love Hendos?!! We’ve always known that she’s got a bouncy personality, but we didn’t know that she once did a 200ft reverse bungee jump for charity! Suddenly, I wish I’d not just been talking about meat and potato pie!
Jemma loves watching the children develop and playing a part in their early education. Her Superhero name would be The Chaos Co-ordinator, an appropriate title as she’s never seen without her trusty notebooks, post it notes and lists and loves to get involved with organising events and activities for the nursery. Is it a bird, is it a plane, no it’s The Chaos Co-ordinator! She likes getting stuck into anything outdoors, upcycling and messy arts and crafts.
Leanne Tabor
Joint Deputy Early Years Manager
Leanne has been working in childcare since qualifying at 18 years old so for a very long time, nearly 18 years!! She is currently working on completing her level three SEND to be able to support all families where extra support is needed.
In her spare time Leanne likes to spend time with her family, she enjoys cooking, drawing and going on walks as well as baking cakes for all of her family members. Her favourite meal is old school chicken pasta: chicken, garlic, onion, spinach, thick creamy sauce over pasta covered in parmesan cheese served with garlic bread. Yummy!
Leanne’s favourite activity to do with the children is anything messy or creative as she loves to get messy too! Knowing every day is different and no child is the same as well as having a positive impact on a child and their future is Leanne’s favourite part about her job.
The first CD Leanne has ever owned was the bright orange B*witched album and she used to make up her own dance routines too! Her favourite place in the world is Mexico where she achieved her dream of swimming with dolphins on her honeymoon. If Leanne could be a Disney character for a day she would choose Stitch because he is a little crazy but lovable and knows that Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten which is also her own family motto!
Gaynor Flanagan
Joint Deputy Early Years Manager
Gaynor has worked in childcare since she was 19 years old, has a tonne of experience, a foundation Degree in Early Years as well as several other qualifications and has worked in all of our three nurseries!
Her favourite activity to do with the children is anything creative and messy as this is the best way for the children to express themselves. She says her favourite part of her job is seeing the children gain confidence and develop whilst having a fun happy time.
If Gaynor could be a Disney character for a day as would love the be the fairy godmother and make everyone’s wishes come true. Her superhero name would be Crochet Queen as she spends every spare minute crocheting and although she is never seen without it by her side she has never made anything for herself!
Gaynor would love to do a tandem parachute jump one day and if she could be an animal she would love to be a dolphin and be carefree exploring the ocean and all the different wonders under the sea.
Leah Abbotts
Nursery Administrator
Leah has a passion for office work, she finds it rewarding to help people and she enjoys being the first point of call for staff and parents and to help them with their enquiries.
In her spare time Leah loves to craft, she has a never-ending stock of craft supplies and enjoys making gifts and cards. She also likes football and enjoys watching Sheffield Wednesday with her brother. At the weekends she enjoys going on walks and visiting the local parks with her family.
Leah says her best quality is her friendliness, she always tries her best to be positive and friendly.
Her favourite place in the world is Italy, she travelled around the Mediterranean on a cruise a few years ago and visited Rome, Pisa & Florence. She enjoyed the delicious food and drinks and found the locals are very friendly.
Julie Bletcher
Senior Early Years Practitioner
Julie has a Level 3 Diploma in pre–school practice and has worked in childcare for 22 years. Being part of the children’s learning journey and seeing them grow and progress is her favourite part of her role.
In her spare time Julie likes to go out on very long walks, especially in the countryside. She also loves football and has a season ticket for Sheffield Wednesday. The first record Julie bought was Donny Osmond, Puppy Love.
Her favourite activities to do with the children are anything creative and story time as these activities bring out the children’s creativity and imagination. Julie says her best qualities are always being kind and positive.
Julie’s favourite place in the world is Jamaica because it is very laid back, has beautiful beaches and the people there are so friendly. If she could choose to be a Disney character for a day, Julie would love to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
Paula Stothard
Senior Early Years Practitioner
Paula has a NVQ Level 3 Qualification in Early Years and Education and a High Level Teaching Assistant HLTA Level 4 Diploma. She also worked in a primary school for 22 years and a further 2 years in a private nursery.
In her spare time Paula loves to spend time in her beautiful garden, it’s a working progress and always changing, but she says it’s good for her mental health and well- being. She also loves walking and hiking; she’s climbed a few mountains like Scafell Pike and Helvellyn and also completed the 3 Peaks Challenge.
Paula’s favourite activity to do with the children is singing together at circle time. All the children love to sing and they all join in, making it a happy and joyous experience! The thing Paula loves best about her job is to see the impact she has on a child’s development and well-being, helping them grow and learn about the world they live in, it’s definitely a challenge but very rewarding.
If Paula could be an animal, she would love to be a butterfly as they are so beautiful and elegant. The craziest thing Paula has ever done is Go Ape in Sherwood Forest, it was very exciting and she absolutely loved it.
