This week we are learning more about Natalie, Deputy Officer-in-Charge at The Spinney in Hoole.

Natalie has worked at The Spinney in Hoole for over 12 years, having joined us originally on placement when she was studying for her NVQ 2 with the YMCA. She liked it so much here she never left! As Deputy Officer-in-Charge Natalie gets involved in pretty much everything, from opening and closing the nursery to rotas, cooking and craft ideas.

What’s the first thing you do when you get to work in the morning?

I open up most mornings so I have to set up the nursery before anyone else arrives –  turning on all the lights, putting the washing away, turning on the dishwasher, do the risk assessments in each room and sign the sheet, and check each room is set up correctly.

What’s your favourite part of the day?

Outdoor play time, especially in the summer.

What is the funniest thing one of the children has ever done/said?

A little boy once came up to me and quoted a famous line from an Austin Powers film. I didn’t know whether to laugh or phone social services!

What’s the strangest thing you have had to do at work?

One week during Christmas a few years ago the cows from the opposite field kept escaping, so I had to call the police on several occasions. By the end of the week all I had to say was ‘Hi it’s Natalie at the Spinney’ and they would say ‘Cows again?! We’re on our way!’

*The cow are no longer in the fields behind the Spinney!

What’s the best thing about working at The Spinney?

We have a wonderful team here who all work really well together, the children are all happy and very well looked after. The best thing is each day is different, you never know what the children are going to say or do.

What is your favourite children’s book?

I love to read books that rhyme so anything by Julia Donaldson is great for me.