The Happytime Team
Happytime Pre-school has a team of highly motivated and well qualified staff who have an impressive commitment to deliver high-quality, stimulating and innovative learning experiences. - Ofsted 2017.
Gayle Hamblin - Owner & Manager
Gayle has worked within early years surroundings for over 30 years and took ownership of Happytime Pre-school in 2006, fulfilling a lifelong career dream.
Her continued passion, determination and drive has seen expansion of the pre-school beyond recognition and has been key to maintaining the high standards that have been set over the years. Gayle has an NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development as well as holding current certificates for Paediatric First Aid and as a Designated Safeguarding Officer.
Aside from her love of the pre-school, Gayle is hugely family orientated, but saves the biggest place in her heart for shopping and chocolate.
Gayle has worked within early years surroundings for over 30 years and took ownership of Happytime Pre-school in 2006, fulfilling a lifelong career dream.
Her continued passion, determination and drive has seen expansion of the pre-school beyond recognition and has been key to maintaining the high standards that have been set over the years. Gayle has an NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development as well as holding current certificates for Paediatric First Aid and as a Designated Safeguarding Officer.
Aside from her love of the pre-school, Gayle is hugely family orientated, but saves the biggest place in her heart for shopping and chocolate.
Hannah Sherwell - Deputy Manager
Hannah joined the Happytime team in September 2016, having worked within the childcare industry since leaving school. With over 25 years of valuable and varied experience, she brings a wealth of priceless knowledge to the team and to her role as Deputy Manager.
Hannah has not only worked within pre-school and nursery settings with all ages of children, but she has also been employed as a private nanny for various families. She has an NVQ Level 2 & 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development as well as currently holding both a Child Protection and Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Outside of the working environment, Hannah loves to spend time with her family and is a keen fitness enthusiast and shopaholic.
Hannah joined the Happytime team in September 2016, having worked within the childcare industry since leaving school. With over 25 years of valuable and varied experience, she brings a wealth of priceless knowledge to the team and to her role as Deputy Manager.
Hannah has not only worked within pre-school and nursery settings with all ages of children, but she has also been employed as a private nanny for various families. She has an NVQ Level 2 & 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development as well as currently holding both a Child Protection and Paediatric First Aid certificate.
Outside of the working environment, Hannah loves to spend time with her family and is a keen fitness enthusiast and shopaholic.
Sarah Haines - Pre-school Assistant
Sarah's journey at Happytime began shortly before Gayle took ownership of the pre-school in 2006.
Prior to becoming a Pre-school Assistant, Sarah worked as both a Legal Secretary and within the retail trade. These two roles were carried out either side of family expansion.
She has an NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development and is one of our Food Hygiene coordinators. Sarah also holds current First Aid and Child Protection certificates.
Aside from working at Happytime, Sarah loves to spend time with her family and taking he dog for long walks.
Sarah's journey at Happytime began shortly before Gayle took ownership of the pre-school in 2006.
Prior to becoming a Pre-school Assistant, Sarah worked as both a Legal Secretary and within the retail trade. These two roles were carried out either side of family expansion.
She has an NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development and is one of our Food Hygiene coordinators. Sarah also holds current First Aid and Child Protection certificates.
Aside from working at Happytime, Sarah loves to spend time with her family and taking he dog for long walks.
Elaine Law - Pre-school Assistant
2014 was the year that Elaine joined the Happytime team.
Prior to this, she spent 10 years in another early years setting. Elaine has CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Pre-school Practice and holds both a current First Aid certificate and Child Protection certificate.
Away from the busy surroundings of the pre-school, Elaine loves yoga, walking, running and cats. She is also extremely passionate about looking after the planet.
2014 was the year that Elaine joined the Happytime team.
Prior to this, she spent 10 years in another early years setting. Elaine has CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Pre-school Practice and holds both a current First Aid certificate and Child Protection certificate.
Away from the busy surroundings of the pre-school, Elaine loves yoga, walking, running and cats. She is also extremely passionate about looking after the planet.
Jen Peffer - Pre-school Assistant & SENCO/INCO Coordinator
2012 was the year that Jen started at Happytime.
She is one of six Pre-school Assistants that we have within the team and gained her qualification whilst volunteering at the pre-school. Jen now has a Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Early Years Practice and also holds a current Child Protection certificate. She has recently finished studying Child Psychology as part of her degree with the Open University.
Prior to joining Happytime, Jen worked as a Retail Manager until her daughter Eden arrived. As well as enjoying family life, she also likes reading, an occasional glass of wine and walking her dogs.
2012 was the year that Jen started at Happytime.
She is one of six Pre-school Assistants that we have within the team and gained her qualification whilst volunteering at the pre-school. Jen now has a Level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Early Years Practice and also holds a current Child Protection certificate. She has recently finished studying Child Psychology as part of her degree with the Open University.
Prior to joining Happytime, Jen worked as a Retail Manager until her daughter Eden arrived. As well as enjoying family life, she also likes reading, an occasional glass of wine and walking her dogs.
Sarah Popeley - Pre-school Assistant
Sarah joined Happytime as a Pre-school Assistant in 2016.
She has worked within childcare and early years surroundings since finishing high school and therefore brings lots of knowledge and experience to the team.
Sarah holds an NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.
Outside of the working environment Sarah loves to go on adventures with her family and also reading books. She is also a keen cook and loves nothing more than experimenting with new foods and recipes.
Sarah joined Happytime as a Pre-school Assistant in 2016.
She has worked within childcare and early years surroundings since finishing high school and therefore brings lots of knowledge and experience to the team.
Sarah holds an NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.
Outside of the working environment Sarah loves to go on adventures with her family and also reading books. She is also a keen cook and loves nothing more than experimenting with new foods and recipes.
Sally Gratwick - Pre-school Assistant
Sally started her Happytime career as a Pre-school Assistant in September 2021.
She has worked within childcare for over 10 years and therefore adds a wealth of experience to the Pre-school team. Sally holds an NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education.
Away from the workplace environment Sally loves to spend time with her 3 children as well socialising with friends.
She is also an avid sports fan and life-long supporter of Liverpool FC.
Sally started her Happytime career as a Pre-school Assistant in September 2021.
She has worked within childcare for over 10 years and therefore adds a wealth of experience to the Pre-school team. Sally holds an NVQ Level 2 in Early Years Care and Education.
Away from the workplace environment Sally loves to spend time with her 3 children as well socialising with friends.
She is also an avid sports fan and life-long supporter of Liverpool FC.
Dionne Porter - Pre-school Assistant
Dionne Joined the Happytime team in May 2022 as a Pre-school Assistant.
By working in the vibrant busy setting for four mornings a week and being supported by the excellent Happytime staff, she will soon complete her childcare qualifications.
Dionne lives with her husband and two children, who both attended the pre-school, and they all enjoy spending quality family time together.
Outside of the working environment Dionne loves to read, enjoys a concert or two and has a passion for seeing the world from a holiday point of view.
Dionne Joined the Happytime team in May 2022 as a Pre-school Assistant.
By working in the vibrant busy setting for four mornings a week and being supported by the excellent Happytime staff, she will soon complete her childcare qualifications.
Dionne lives with her husband and two children, who both attended the pre-school, and they all enjoy spending quality family time together.
Outside of the working environment Dionne loves to read, enjoys a concert or two and has a passion for seeing the world from a holiday point of view.
Vicky O'Neill - Pre-school Assistant
Vicky began her Pre-school Assistant career at Happytime in September2022.
Arriving at the school with over 10 years of experience working with children and an NVQ Level 3 in early years education, Vicky brings great experience to the team. She also holds a paediatric first aid certificate.
Aside from enjoying her time working with children, Vicky also loves to spend time baking at home and working in her garden. She also loves to go on days out with her family.
Vicky began her Pre-school Assistant career at Happytime in September2022.
Arriving at the school with over 10 years of experience working with children and an NVQ Level 3 in early years education, Vicky brings great experience to the team. She also holds a paediatric first aid certificate.
Aside from enjoying her time working with children, Vicky also loves to spend time baking at home and working in her garden. She also loves to go on days out with her family.
All members of Happytime staff attend regular training on all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Child Development. Safe Guarding and Child Protection training is fundamental and is kept up to date and renewed frequently by every member of the team
Staff also hold up to date certificates in both Food Handling and Basic Food Hygiene. The team are also trained in Level 3 Paediatric First Aid and are CRB/DBS checked.
Staff also hold up to date certificates in both Food Handling and Basic Food Hygiene. The team are also trained in Level 3 Paediatric First Aid and are CRB/DBS checked.