Meet the team
Ellice Thorpe
Nursery Manager
Hello. My name is Ellice Thorpe and I am the Centre Director here at Busy Bees Chelmsford.
I have been working in the childcare industry for over 10 years in a range of different roles, working with children aged 0-10 years old.
In September 2018, while studying the last year of my BA Honours in Early Years, I joined the Chelmsford Busy Bees team as a temporary member of staff. After successfully completing my BA Honours I was offered the permanent position of Senior Room Manager and Lead Childcare Representative. My passion is childcare and I try to approach every aspect of it from the child's point of view; I strive to create new and exciting learning environments for them to thrive in.
After being promoted to Assistant Centre Director in July 2019 I became involved in the managing of the Nursery and in February 2020 I accepted the role of Centre Director.
Young children are our future and the most rewarding part of this job is being involved in delivering outstanding Care and Education on a daily basis. Every child deserves to be given the opportunity to reach their full potential and have the best start in life. I truly believe that this is something offer here at Busy Bees Chelmsford.
I spend my leisure time travelling with friends and family, going to the gym and I have recently taken up a new activity, aerial hoop fitness!
I look forward to welcoming you and your family to our nursery very soon.
Leanne Williams
Assistant Manager
Hello my name is Leanne and I am the Assistant Centre Director here at Chelmsford.
I have worked for Busy Bees since May 2009 and hold a Level 3 CACHE Diploma in Childcare.
During my time with Busy Bees, I have achieved a Childcare Qualification and progressed from a practitioner to Room Leader, and now supporting the Centre Director, leading the team to deliver outstanding care and providing the best start in life for the children.
I have 2 children both of whom have attended the Nursery!
Assistant Manager
Hello my name is Leanne and I am the Assistant Centre Director here at Chelmsford.
I have worked for Busy Bees since May 2009 and hold a Level 3 CACHE Diploma in Childcare.
During my time with Busy Bees, I have achieved a Childcare Qualification and progressed from a practitioner to Room Leader, and now supporting the Centre Director, leading the team to deliver outstanding care and providing the best start in life for the children.
I have 2 children both of whom have attended the Nursery!
Marion Jackson
Financial Administrator
After working in London for 35 years in the financial sector I decided to make a lifestyle change and work locally to spend more time with my 2 sons, Che & Harley.
I have a diploma in Payroll Management and BSL Level 1.
Working here in the calming environment Chelmsford Nursery is a refreshing change from working in the hustle and bustle of the city.
Financial Administrator
After working in London for 35 years in the financial sector I decided to make a lifestyle change and work locally to spend more time with my 2 sons, Che & Harley.
I have a diploma in Payroll Management and BSL Level 1.
Working here in the calming environment Chelmsford Nursery is a refreshing change from working in the hustle and bustle of the city.
Hayley Cardwell
Senior Room Manager
Hi my name is Hayley and I am Deputy Assistant Centre Director here at Chelmsford.
I am also Senior Room Manager in First Steps and Head of Under 2's.
I joined Busy Bees in August 2016 and am excited about working here at Chelmsford.
I have worked with children since 2007 and hold a BTEC Level 3 in Early Years. In my spare time I enjoy meeting up with friends.
Senior Room Manager
Hi my name is Hayley and I am Deputy Assistant Centre Director here at Chelmsford.
I am also Senior Room Manager in First Steps and Head of Under 2's.
I joined Busy Bees in August 2016 and am excited about working here at Chelmsford.
I have worked with children since 2007 and hold a BTEC Level 3 in Early Years. In my spare time I enjoy meeting up with friends.
Julie Ness
Senior Room Manager
My name is Julie and I am the Senior Room Manager of the Baby Room in the Under 2's unit.
I joined the Busy Bees team in May 2016 and I have a NVQ Level 3 in Childcare.
I also recently completed a Team Leading qualification which has enabled me to support my team with providing wonderful experiences for the children.
I have children of my own as well as a granddaughter with whom I love to spend as much time as possible.
Senior Room Manager
My name is Julie and I am the Senior Room Manager of the Baby Room in the Under 2's unit.
I joined the Busy Bees team in May 2016 and I have a NVQ Level 3 in Childcare.
I also recently completed a Team Leading qualification which has enabled me to support my team with providing wonderful experiences for the children.
I have children of my own as well as a granddaughter with whom I love to spend as much time as possible.
Nicola Cook
Senior Room Manager
Hi. My name is Nicola and I am the Senior Room Manager in the First Steps Room in the Under 2's Unit and currently, I am on maternity leave after having my first child.
I am also the Nursery SENDCo and work closely with children, their parents and external agencies to support children with additional needs.
Senior Room Manager
Hi. My name is Nicola and I am the Senior Room Manager in the First Steps Room in the Under 2's Unit and currently, I am on maternity leave after having my first child.
I am also the Nursery SENDCo and work closely with children, their parents and external agencies to support children with additional needs.
Chloe Russell
Senior Room Manager
Chloe joined the company in October 2014; initially as an apprentice, working her way towards becoming a Level 3 qualified Room Leader in our Toddler Room.
Chloe also holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate and is thoroughly enjoying her new role. She loves forming special bonds with her Key Children and watching them really develop and grow.
Senior Room Manager
Chloe joined the company in October 2014; initially as an apprentice, working her way towards becoming a Level 3 qualified Room Leader in our Toddler Room.
Chloe also holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate and is thoroughly enjoying her new role. She loves forming special bonds with her Key Children and watching them really develop and grow.
Katie Brunton
Senior Room Manager
Miss Katie is the Foundation Class Room Leader here at Busy Bees. She joined the team in April 2019 after transferring from Newcastle.
Miss Katie holds a Foundation Degree and is in the process of completing her BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies. She has a young son who attend the nursery and is currently on maternity leave after the birth of her second child.
Senior Room Manager
Miss Katie is the Foundation Class Room Leader here at Busy Bees. She joined the team in April 2019 after transferring from Newcastle.
Miss Katie holds a Foundation Degree and is in the process of completing her BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies. She has a young son who attend the nursery and is currently on maternity leave after the birth of her second child.
Barrie 'Baz' Jenkins
Chef
Barrie, or Baz as he is preferably called, has worked for Busy Bees since 2010 and holds a City and Guilds Professional Chef's Qualification.
Baz has worked around the UK and Europe and uses this vast experience and knowledge to provide fantastic, flavoursome and nutritious snacks and meals for the children.
Chef
Barrie, or Baz as he is preferably called, has worked for Busy Bees since 2010 and holds a City and Guilds Professional Chef's Qualification.
Baz has worked around the UK and Europe and uses this vast experience and knowledge to provide fantastic, flavoursome and nutritious snacks and meals for the children.
Megan Crandle
Qualified Early Years Educator
Megan is the Assistant Room Leader in First Steps in our Under 2's Unit. She started working at Busy Bees in August 2016 and recently completed her Level 3 qualification and holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Megan is passionate about her role and loves the challenge working with children brings.
Qualified Early Years Educator
Megan is the Assistant Room Leader in First Steps in our Under 2's Unit. She started working at Busy Bees in August 2016 and recently completed her Level 3 qualification and holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Megan is passionate about her role and loves the challenge working with children brings.
Sophie Hudson-Wallis
Qualified Early Years Educator
Sophie is one of our Baby Room practitioners; she began her Busy Bees journey as a relief member of staff.
While working with the children at Busy Bees, she completed her degree in Early Childhood Studies in 2019 and holds a First Class BA (Hons).
Sophie is also SENDCo for the nursery, specialising in supporting children with EAL and implementing Positive Behaviour Management techniques across the nursery to provide the best outcomes and opportunities for the children.
Qualified Early Years Educator
Sophie is one of our Baby Room practitioners; she began her Busy Bees journey as a relief member of staff.
While working with the children at Busy Bees, she completed her degree in Early Childhood Studies in 2019 and holds a First Class BA (Hons).
Sophie is also SENDCo for the nursery, specialising in supporting children with EAL and implementing Positive Behaviour Management techniques across the nursery to provide the best outcomes and opportunities for the children.
Sandie Harris
Qualified Early Years Educator
Sandie is part of the First Steps team and has a long history of working with children. She joined Busy Bees in November 2005 and is qualified to Level 2.
Sandie loves planning creative activities for some of our youngest children, as well as introducing them to gardening!
Qualified Early Years Educator
Sandie is part of the First Steps team and has a long history of working with children. She joined Busy Bees in November 2005 and is qualified to Level 2.
Sandie loves planning creative activities for some of our youngest children, as well as introducing them to gardening!
Katie Williams
Qualified Early Years Educator
Katie joined Busy Bees in November 2011 and currently works in the Baby Room in the Under 2's Unit.
Katie is a mother to 2 children and holds an NVQ Level 2 in Childcare.
Qualified Early Years Educator
Katie joined Busy Bees in November 2011 and currently works in the Baby Room in the Under 2's Unit.
Katie is a mother to 2 children and holds an NVQ Level 2 in Childcare.
Abbie Hawkins
Early Years Educator
Abbie is an Early Years Educator who re-joined the team in April 2017 and is based in our Baby Room.
She loves finding creative ways to set up the environments for the children to explore and enjoy.
Early Years Educator
Abbie is an Early Years Educator who re-joined the team in April 2017 and is based in our Baby Room.
She loves finding creative ways to set up the environments for the children to explore and enjoy.
Nicola Eve
Early Years Educator
Nicola is an Early Years Educator in First Steps. She joined the team here at Chelmsford in September 2015 and works on a term-time basis.
Nicola has a young son whom she enjoys spending the school holidays with, and she looks forward to seeing how much the children have grown when she returns!
Early Years Educator
Nicola is an Early Years Educator in First Steps. She joined the team here at Chelmsford in September 2015 and works on a term-time basis.
Nicola has a young son whom she enjoys spending the school holidays with, and she looks forward to seeing how much the children have grown when she returns!
Rebecca Holland
Early Years Educator
Rebecca, or Becky as she is affectionately known, returned to the team in September 2019 after her maternity leave. She is based in our Baby Room providing enhanced support.
Becky has recently completed childcare qualification and holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Early Years Educator
Rebecca, or Becky as she is affectionately known, returned to the team in September 2019 after her maternity leave. She is based in our Baby Room providing enhanced support.
Becky has recently completed childcare qualification and holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Georgina Moodey
Qualified Early Years Educator
Georgina began her journey with Busy Bees in February 2020. She is based in First Steps in our Under 2's Unit.
Having recently completed a Level 2 childcare qualification, Georgina has been keen to start her career and has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the children!
Qualified Early Years Educator
Georgina began her journey with Busy Bees in February 2020. She is based in First Steps in our Under 2's Unit.
Having recently completed a Level 2 childcare qualification, Georgina has been keen to start her career and has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the children!
Jayne Parrott
Qualified Early Years Educator
Jayne works in our Toddler Room and has a young son who also currently attends the Nursery!
Jayne is qualified to Level 3 and holds a Pediatric First Aid qualification.
Qualified Early Years Educator
Jayne works in our Toddler Room and has a young son who also currently attends the Nursery!
Jayne is qualified to Level 3 and holds a Pediatric First Aid qualification.
Kelly Green
Qualified Early Years Educator
Kelly joined Busy Bees in November 2004 and is based in the Toddler Room, where she works on a term-time basis.
She completed her Level 3 qualification through Busy Bees Training Academy and is a mother herself to 2 boys. Kelly holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Qualified Early Years Educator
Kelly joined Busy Bees in November 2004 and is based in the Toddler Room, where she works on a term-time basis.
She completed her Level 3 qualification through Busy Bees Training Academy and is a mother herself to 2 boys. Kelly holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Izzie Harvey
Early Years Educator
Izzie works in the Toddler Room here at Chelmsford; she re-joined the team in October 2017 after travelling and working abroad in Kenya.
Izzie is very passionate in her role and loves seeing the children develop and grow.
Early Years Educator
Izzie works in the Toddler Room here at Chelmsford; she re-joined the team in October 2017 after travelling and working abroad in Kenya.
Izzie is very passionate in her role and loves seeing the children develop and grow.
James Mathews
Qualified Early Years Educator
James is a Childcare Lead here at Busy Bees. He joined the team in April 2019 after living and working abroad in France; he is a member of our Toddler Room Team.
James holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years Practice and has really enjoyed getting to know all the children here in the setting.
Qualified Early Years Educator
James is a Childcare Lead here at Busy Bees. He joined the team in April 2019 after living and working abroad in France; he is a member of our Toddler Room Team.
James holds a BA (Hons) in Early Years Practice and has really enjoyed getting to know all the children here in the setting.
Amanda Dore
Qualified Early Years Educator
Amanda joined the team in Toddlers in November 2019. She has a young son who also attends sessions here at the nursery.
Amanda is a Level 3 qualified practitioner and is loving getting to know the children in her care!
Qualified Early Years Educator
Amanda joined the team in Toddlers in November 2019. She has a young son who also attends sessions here at the nursery.
Amanda is a Level 3 qualified practitioner and is loving getting to know the children in her care!
Dan Berney
Qualified Early Years Educator
Dan began his Busy Bees journey in November 2019. He has over 5 years experience of working in childcare and is qualified to Level 3.
Dan is part of the Toddlers team and is passionate about physical activity, providing extra-curricular P.E. lessons and getting the children up and moving!
Qualified Early Years Educator
Dan began his Busy Bees journey in November 2019. He has over 5 years experience of working in childcare and is qualified to Level 3.
Dan is part of the Toddlers team and is passionate about physical activity, providing extra-curricular P.E. lessons and getting the children up and moving!
Tanya Whitley
Qualified Early Years Educator
Tanya is a level 3 Qualified Early Years Educator in Foundation Class. She has worked for Busy Bees for a number of years and thoroughly enjoys forming special bonds with her Key Children.
Tanya holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Qualified Early Years Educator
Tanya is a level 3 Qualified Early Years Educator in Foundation Class. She has worked for Busy Bees for a number of years and thoroughly enjoys forming special bonds with her Key Children.
Tanya holds a current Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Kelly Dowling
Qualified Early Years Educator
Miss Kelly is based in Foundation Class. She has worked in childcare for many years and has experience in working with all age groups.
She is qualified to Level 2.
Qualified Early Years Educator
Miss Kelly is based in Foundation Class. She has worked in childcare for many years and has experience in working with all age groups.
She is qualified to Level 2.
Mariela Sola Pereira
Qualified Early Years Educator
Miss Mariela began her Busy Bees journey as a relief member of the team who joined us in April 2019. She has worked with all age groups across the nursery and is a Qualified Teacher.
Miss Mariela is now based in our Foundation Class and is thoroughly enjoying the experience that working with nursery-aged children brings!
She is providing extra-curricular Spanish lessons to our Foundation Class children, which they think are muy bien!
Qualified Early Years Educator
Miss Mariela began her Busy Bees journey as a relief member of the team who joined us in April 2019. She has worked with all age groups across the nursery and is a Qualified Teacher.
Miss Mariela is now based in our Foundation Class and is thoroughly enjoying the experience that working with nursery-aged children brings!
She is providing extra-curricular Spanish lessons to our Foundation Class children, which they think are muy bien!
Abbe Moreno
Early Years Educator
Abbe joined the team in March 2020 and is an Enhanced Support Educator in our Foundation Class.
Abbe has a long history of working in the care sector but has thoroughly enjoyed her transition into Early Years and the fun and variety that her new role brings!
Early Years Educator
Abbe joined the team in March 2020 and is an Enhanced Support Educator in our Foundation Class.
Abbe has a long history of working in the care sector but has thoroughly enjoyed her transition into Early Years and the fun and variety that her new role brings!
Fay Thomas
Qualified Early Years Educator
Fay joined the team here at Chelmsford in April 2019. She is part of the Foundation Class team as a Lunchtime Support Assistant.
Fay is qualified to Level 2.
Qualified Early Years Educator
Fay joined the team here at Chelmsford in April 2019. She is part of the Foundation Class team as a Lunchtime Support Assistant.
Fay is qualified to Level 2.
Mya Cansell
Early Years Educator
Mya joined Busy Bees as a relief member of staff in August 2018. Mya works with all age groups across the Nursery and has become a firm favourite with the Foundation Class children!
Early Years Educator
Mya joined Busy Bees as a relief member of staff in August 2018. Mya works with all age groups across the Nursery and has become a firm favourite with the Foundation Class children!
Rebecca Wilkins
Early Years Educator
Rebecca joined Busy Bees as a relief member of the team in August 2018.
Rebecca is currently working towards a degree and loves spending time with the children here, supporting the team with planning a range of interesting and creative activities for the children.
Early Years Educator
Rebecca joined Busy Bees as a relief member of the team in August 2018.
Rebecca is currently working towards a degree and loves spending time with the children here, supporting the team with planning a range of interesting and creative activities for the children.
Scott Nowell
Qualified Early Years Educator
Scott is a relief member of our team here at Chelmsford. He is currently working towards a Teaching qualification at University.
Scott works with all age groups across the Nursery and has formed some great bonds with some of the children!
Qualified Early Years Educator
Scott is a relief member of our team here at Chelmsford. He is currently working towards a Teaching qualification at University.
Scott works with all age groups across the Nursery and has formed some great bonds with some of the children!
Suely Welch
Early Years Educator
Suely is part of our relief team working in all rooms across the nursery. She joined the Busy Bees family in August 2019 and is really enjoying her experience.
Early Years Educator
Suely is part of our relief team working in all rooms across the nursery. She joined the Busy Bees family in August 2019 and is really enjoying her experience.
Sai Wintachai
Early Years Educator
Sai is a relief member of the team here at Chelmsford who joined Busy Bees in October 2019. Sai has worked with all age groups across the nursery and is particularly well-loved by the youngest children in our care.
Early Years Educator
Sai is a relief member of the team here at Chelmsford who joined Busy Bees in October 2019. Sai has worked with all age groups across the nursery and is particularly well-loved by the youngest children in our care.
Delfina Rocca
Early Years Educator
Delfina joined our relief team in October 2019. She supports the team in all rooms across the nursery.
Delfina is currently working towards a degree at Anglia Ruskin University and has loved getting to know the Busy Bees children.
Early Years Educator
Delfina joined our relief team in October 2019. She supports the team in all rooms across the nursery.
Delfina is currently working towards a degree at Anglia Ruskin University and has loved getting to know the Busy Bees children.