Meet Our Team

Tor

Hi my name is Tor, and I am the Manager at Little Rainbow Nursery.

I started my career with children working in my Grandma's school in 2004. Since then I have been a Senior Nursery Nurse in a busy nursery in Leeds. I went on to achieve my Level 4 in Childcare and I worked hard to be a qualified NVQ Assessor delivering the Childcare Qualifications up to level 5, and Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools qualifications. I have gained my Early Year’s Teacher status, I have just achieved my National SENCo Award.

I love working with my family here at Little Rainbow, especially when my mum, Diane brings me a lunch time treat!!

I am also a busy mum and evenings and weekends are often spent with my daughter after her stage school and watching my son play rugby.

We have two cats at home called Teddy and Roxie and I have a tropical fish aquarium.

Diane

Hiya, my name is Diane, I am the deputy manager. I happily work with all age groups at Little Rainbow Nursery, but I have most experience working with three year olds. I have worked in an Independent School for over thirty years, where I gained my CACHE Level 3 in Preschool Practice, and I particularly enjoyed the preparation of children ready for their transition to Reception Class in the school of their parents’ choice.

I am a doting Grandma, taking my work home at weekends to play with my three grandchildren, and I am also a keen caravanner, spending weekends relaxing away from home, often with my travelling cat Spike!

Katie

Hi my name is Kate, I've been working at Little Rainbow Nursery since February 2023. I am the toddler room leader. Having previously worked in banking and then running my own successful sports nutrition company for 9 years. I decided it was time to make a career change that suited family life better.

I have achieved the NVQ Level 3 Early years educator qualification, as well as having already obtained a sound understanding of child development as part of a Psychology degree at Sheffield Hallam University.

Outside of working life I have 3 children and 2 cats. I have a passion for keeping fit and going to the gym, and I also enjoy collecting crystals.

Zoe

Hi I'm Zoe. I am the baby room leader. I have over 20 years experience in childcare working with children aged 0-18 years. I have the level 3 CACHE Diploma in childcare.
I used to be a play leader at Pinderfields Hospital for 20 years, however I fancied a change in career.
I have 2 children of my own who keep me busy, family life is important to me.
I'm enthusiastic, outgoing, passionate and love working with children.

Karen

Hello my name is Karen. I started working with children 1991 when I qualified with the level three nursery nurse qualification. My first job was working in a private day nursery as a deputy manager and I then went onto working for the NHS for 32 years working in the roles of therapist for with children with additional needs and then onto a hospital play leader on the children’s ward. I was ready for a change and decided to leave NHS in November 2024 and started my new adventure here at Little Rainbow nursery. Outside work I am married to Ian and we have two grown-up sons.

Kate

Hello to you all. I am Kate and work in the Red room . I started in November 2024 after leaving my job of 28 years working in the same building doing various different jobs, but for the last 15 of them, I worked in a wacky warehouse. I realised that after speaking to Tor, I would love to work at Little Rainbow Nursery with all the children, and I am really enjoying my time here. I love spending time with my family, going on day trips with them, and especially going on holiday to Cornwall and also love helping my husband Paul with his wedding business.

Rachel

Hi my name is Rachel. I’ve been working at Little Rainbow Nursery since May 2024 and I’m working on my level three. I happily work with all ages across the nursery but I primarily work with two-year-olds. I love creative and messy play, although I generally end up messier than the children! I previously worked in a care education environment with working with adults with autism. Outside of nursery I have two children, and a dog and a cat. My son loves fishing and my daughter has just started playing rugby.

Gail

Hi my name is Gail and I've been at Little Rainbow Nursery since January 2023. My career has been in secretarial, admin and sales. In 2018 I decided it was time for a change and go into what I always wanted to do, which was Childcare. I have gained Level 3 Teaching Assistant and Level 3 in Nursery Nurse and Level 2 in Special Educational needs. I have worked in infant and Junior schools and in a special Needs secondary school.

I love to help children flourish and develop into their own person.

At home I have a beautiful teenage daughter who is my world.

Charlene

Hi my name is Charlene. I’ve been working at Little Rainbow since November 2024. I previously worked in mental healthcare for 15 years but thought it was time to have a change of career with something I have been interested in for a long time. I am currently working on my level three and can’t wait to further develop my knowledge. I have two children, two boys, who both love football. We spend most weekends at football matches and at football training, we also have a husky called Jack.

Ashley

Hi I'm Ashley I have worked in early years for over 20 years
I have NVQ level 3 qualification in child care and development. I have experience working with all ages but I love working in the baby room most of all, especially as you get to see the babies develop and grow into little people with their own personalities.
I really enjoy nature and have a level 2 forest school qualification and I have worked at an outdoor nursery so I'm looking forward to helping develop the outdoor area for the whole nursery to enjoy.
In my home life I like to travel, go camping and spend time with my family and my dog Beau.

Terri

Hi, my name is Terri. I have previously worked with SEN children in a specialist provision. I am now working in the baby room which I enjoy. I am working towards my level 3 Early years educator award. My passion is the planning of and then doing messy play and sensory activities which most children enjoy

I have three children and I also have two kittens. In my spare time I like to do various activities with my friends and family.

Robert

Hi, my name is Robert. I have been a part of Little Rainbow Nursery since April 2021. It's a bit of a change for me, as I was an HGV driver for many years. You'll often find me doing odd jobs and small repairs around the nursery, but I'm also enjoying being with the children.

I'm married to Diane and step-dad to Tor.

Kenny

Hi, my name is Kenny. I am Tor's husband and I sometimes come to lend a hand at nursery and to visit the children in Little Rainbow Nursery. I am a Policeman in Wakefield and I enjoy coaching rugby for my son. I also play rugby on the weekend when I can.

Ziggy and Elton

Hi! We are the nursery guinea pigs! the children love when we come to visit them in their childcare rooms, although we are still only babies, so we're still getting used to the noise! Wheek Wheek.