Our staff
Most of our staff hold an NVQ level 3 in Child Care and Education, with four of our staff holding a degree in Early Years and two further staff currently studying for a degree in Early Years.
All our staff are DBS checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service.
We are firm believers in investing in our staff. Staff are actively encouraged to further their knowledge and skills in childcare.
Our staff are required to work within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum framework, regulated by OFSTED and the nursery’s strict company policies and procedures.
Management & kitchen team
Rebecca Warner
Proprietor
When I am not busy keeping up to date with all the nursery administration I like to spend time with my husband and two children. We enjoy walking in the English countryside with Lola our chocolate Labrador. I originally studied in Art & Design and I love the Arts; I particularly enjoy going to the theatre, cinema and music concerts with my friends. My daughter shares my passion and attends a weekly Creation Theatre drama club.
Laura Dash
(Currently on maternity leave)
Nursery Manager
Nicola Robertson
Acting Nursery Manager
I started working for Little Troopers Day Nursery in November 2014, some 12 months later I was promoted to Deputy Nursery Manager.
Like many parents of the children who attend Little Troopers I was attracted by the home from home set up that has been created; together the staff and children really are one big family.
Our big family has just got bigger as two of our staff are currently on maternity leave with their own little ones. Laura Dash our Nursery Manager is currently on maternity leave with her second daughter, so during this time I have become Acting Nursery Manager until she returns.
When I am not busy running the day to day operations of Little Troopers I am studying for an Early Years degree. This takes up a great deal of my time, but I really enjoy learning new skills and furthering my knowledge.
I also love to go to the theatre; I especially enjoy going to see musicals and recently took my god daughter to see Matilda.
Thierry Dembo-Kisongo
Nursery Chef
I use to spend a lot of my free time travelling around the world, but recently got married and so I am busy being a married man. I like to spend my free time playing badminton and experiencing street food especially in London.
Pear group staff
Bev Massingham
Early Years Teacher & Acting Deputy Nursery Manager
I was born in Singapore – my parents were in the forces; I came back to England when I was two. I have been married for nearly 30 years and have 3 wonderful children. I am an Oxford United football supporter – I have a season ticket and go to all their home games with my mum. I also take and watch my son play football every Sunday. One of my greatest achievements is getting my degree in childhood studies. I never thought I would be one of those people wearing a cap and gown and collecting a certificate on graduation day. It just goes to show it doesn’t matter how old you are, you are never too old to learn!
Melissa Smith
Deputy Room Leader
When I am not working at Little Troopers I like to spend time with my 14-year-old son, family and friends.
I enjoy going to the gym and I have recently taking up kickboxing. I have always been a big fan of forensic programmes and find them very interesting.
Sheila Smith
Early Years Professional
I was born in Southampton but grew Nairobi, Kenya. There I enjoyed a happy and exciting childhood spending most of my days playing outside. In my gap year I travelled to India where I worked in a physio therapy unit helping young children learn to walk. While in India – to my parents horror I learnt to drive. My instructor only spoke a little English and deemed a good lesson as not hitting a cow! On returning to England I completed my Early Childhood Studies Degree, met my partner and settled down in oxford.
Sophie Amico
Nursery Nurse
The majority of my time is taken up by running around after my son, Edward, who also attends Little Troopers. I am also working towards my Early Years degree. I used to have horses when I was younger, and enjoy jetting off to warmer places whenever I can!
Natalie Licata
Nursery Nurse
I have a two-year-old daughter called Mila who is my world. I enjoy taking her to different play groups and exploring new places. When I have free time, I like to spend it with my very big extended family. When I was very young I use to go to a disco dancing club and Mila enjoys dancing too.
Lemon group staff
Jacey Mayall
Room Leader
I enjoy swimming and when I was younger I qualified to swim nationally, before quitting competitive swimming and enjoying it recreationally. I have recently become fond of running and I like to socialise with friends.
Hannah Shepherd
(Currently on maternity leave)
Early Years Teacher
Sophie Foxcroft
Deputy Room Leader
I used to play the saxophone, sometimes I play it for the children at nursery. I love dancing and singing and baking yummy desserts.
Emma Hainge
Nursery Assistant (Room Support)
I like to spend most of my free time with my husband and 2 daughters. I love to read with my children and we often visit the cinema. I also really enjoy outdoor activities such as cycling and love to spend weekends away in Center Parcs.
Ellie Thorne
Nursery Assistant
I am currently working at Little Troopers while I complete my NVQ level 2 in Children’s Care and Development. Local music group leader Nick Cope taught me how to play the guitar.
Orange group staff
Julie Thomas
Room Leader
In my free time I like to socialise with my family and friends. I love to travel and I have been to Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and America. I also enjoy watching sports and coming from Wales I am an avid rugby fan and go to Dublin every other year for the six nations.
Heather Harries
Deputy Room Leader
In my spare time, I model wedding dresses for a bridal shop in Bicester. I bought my own wedding dress from them when I got married last year and ever since I been modelling dresses for them at wedding fairs and other events.
Shenise Clarke-Harvey
Nursery Nurse
I have worked with children for nearly nine years now and from an early age I always had the desire to care for and look after others, watching both my mother and grandmother adore their careers in childcare. I believe my passion lies in enabling others to be happy and successful. In my spare time I really enjoy cooking and dancing. Reading non-fiction books has become a new passion of mine.
Kimberley Hughes
Nursery Assistant
In my spare time, I enjoy taking photographs, I am a photographer for a local car enthusiasts club. I also spend a lot of my spare time with my partner helping him with his business and working on my car.
Closed bank holidays and Christmas week.