Our Team
'If I hadn't found such an awesome bunch of people I'd have given up on nursery'
The Ark Association will always put the needs of children first, striking a balance between care, play and learning. The committee, manager and staff are committed to providing the best service they can to the highest standards.
We have a range of qualified staff working in our team from Level 2, Foundation Degree to Level 5 and BA (Hons) Level 6. We all work together to give your children the best learning environment. We allocate children with a key worker, who will observe and record the children’s development using an online assessment program called EYLOG. This is a safe and secure method to show you your child’s learning journey.
Our Committee
Parents of children attending either of the Ark nurseries are members of The Ark Association and are entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting. The committee comprises of Trustees, Management and fundraising members, They have a legal obligation to run the Association in accordance with its constitution,
The Nursery Manager
Mary Darlington – Manager (Working across both Nursery sites)
I have worked in variety of childcare settings for 29 years. This experience has helped to develop my knowledge on how children learn and develop. I am dedicated to my position and believe in working with parents and staff to provide the best start to each child’s education and providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment for all our children. My qualifications include: NNEB, ADCE, Foundation Degree and a BA (Hons) in Childcare and Education. These qualifications only make up part of my education as each day I learn more from the children I care for. I am enthusiastic and passionate about ensuring all staff and children have a fun-filled and exciting day with lots of learning opportunities.
I have worked in variety of childcare settings for 29 years. This experience has helped to develop my knowledge on how children learn and develop. I am dedicated to my position and believe in working with parents and staff to provide the best start to each child’s education and providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment for all our children. My qualifications include: NNEB, ADCE, Foundation Degree and a BA (Hons) in Childcare and Education. These qualifications only make up part of my education as each day I learn more from the children I care for. I am enthusiastic and passionate about ensuring all staff and children have a fun-filled and exciting day with lots of learning opportunities.
Read below for information about some of our staff at Princess Avenue.
Nicola – Deputy Manager and Co-Ordinator at Princess Avenue
I have worked for The Ark for over 15 years, and have been in childcare for 20 years. I have worked closely with all ages throughout my career but I do love my Pre-School rooms. I trained as an NNEB and now have a Foundation Degree level 4 in Early Education along with Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene certificates and ECAP Speech and Language training. This list could become quite extensive with training I have took part in. I love our Pre-School trips to forest school where we really do see children come out of themselves. Exploring and investigating the community and our beautiful Environment we live in.
I have two school aged daughters who came through The Ark. They still love coming back during the play schemes. We love spending time outdoors exploring country parks, riding bikes, climbing and anything physical. When I do get a few minutes to myself I love reading and walking.
I have worked for The Ark for over 15 years, and have been in childcare for 20 years. I have worked closely with all ages throughout my career but I do love my Pre-School rooms. I trained as an NNEB and now have a Foundation Degree level 4 in Early Education along with Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene certificates and ECAP Speech and Language training. This list could become quite extensive with training I have took part in. I love our Pre-School trips to forest school where we really do see children come out of themselves. Exploring and investigating the community and our beautiful Environment we live in.
I have two school aged daughters who came through The Ark. They still love coming back during the play schemes. We love spending time outdoors exploring country parks, riding bikes, climbing and anything physical. When I do get a few minutes to myself I love reading and walking.
Hi I’m Kelly. I am the deputy co-ordinator at Princess Avenue nursery. I have worked in childcare for seventeen years. Fifteen of those years have been with The Ark. I have a level 3 NVQ qualification in Early Years Care and Education. I also have a level 4 qualification in Children's and Young People's Services, Early Years. I have very much enjoyed the opportunity to paint, set up and run my toddler room in the past, along with running a baby room. I help out each week by supporting a local children's centre. I have found these roles here very rewarding. I feel strongly about health, well-being, happiness and being kind. I am here to help others.
Hi my name is Zoe, I am a Level 3 Play Leader and I have worked at the Ark for just over 12 years. When I first started I was a lunch time supervisor. After a few months of being a lunch time supervisor I said to myself I want to do more than this. So a year later moved on to do my level 2 and then my level 3. I love working with the children. I feel honoured to watch every child develop and reach their potential makes me happy. We are a great team of staff at The Ark. We are not just work colleagues, we are friends and The Ark family.
Hi, I'm Kat. I have been working in childcare for 20 years and 9 of those years I have been with The Ark. I have a CACHE (NNEB) Diploma in Nursery Nursing. I love art and listening to music, as well as visiting family and friends.
Hello, my name is Maria. I am a level 3 practitioner and have over 20 years’ experience working with children of all ages. I love my role in caring for the under 2's as I feel so privileged to be part of their learning journey from the very beginning. My children attended The Ark nursery many years ago and from being a parent to practitioner I can see how influential my role is. I am very nurturing, dependable and value building strong relationships with parents/carers. I love cats, rainbows, sunshine, happiness and my favourite colour is yellow.
Hello I am Lisa. I have worked at The Ark for 6 years. I am a level 3 practitioner. I mainly work in the Baby and toddler room. I love Animals and making the children smile. The Ark has such a happy warm atmosphere where I am proud to be part of the team.
My name is Derrick. I have worked at the Ark Association for 10 years. I am in charge of maintenance at both of our nursery sites. I am also a lunchtime supervisor at the Princess Avenue nursery. I was employed by Leicester County Council transporting students, I also worked at BT for 25 years. I like to play darts and snooker and enjoy walking and cycling. Working at the Ark as part of a dedicated team is satisfying and rewarding.
My name is Dipak, I joined the Ark nursery in March 2019 as a part time General/Maintenance Assistant. My role includes anything from doing the weekly shopping, painting a fence to driving the nursery minibus taking the staff & children on educational forest school trips to Rutland Water. Prior to joining the Ark, I worked for Mars Incorporated for 30 years, manufacturing such brands as Pedigree chum and Whiskas. Since joining the Ark I can see there is so much involved in early child care, from what I see all the staff here do an amazing job ensuring the children are given a variety of learning opportunities and to develop & prepare them for when they go onto fulltime education. My hobbies include keeping fit, playing golf(badly!), snooker and putting my culinary skills to use.
Please read below for information about some of our staff at Burley Road.
Deputy Manager and co-ordinator at Burley Road.
My name is Mica, I have worked here at The Ark for 13 years, starting straight from college. I have a Diploma in Childcare and Education Level 3 and i am currently working towards my foundation degree in Early Childhood Studies. I have two children of my own, one 3 and one 6, both of who have come through The Ark with me. I love working with children and working closely with families to build upon providing the best care and education from an early age.
My name is Mica, I have worked here at The Ark for 13 years, starting straight from college. I have a Diploma in Childcare and Education Level 3 and i am currently working towards my foundation degree in Early Childhood Studies. I have two children of my own, one 3 and one 6, both of who have come through The Ark with me. I love working with children and working closely with families to build upon providing the best care and education from an early age.
Hello I’m Charlotte! I have worked across both nursery sites in various capacities and teams over the years. This has given me many opportunities and experiences, working with age ranges from 3 months to 11years. I am passionate and enthusiastic about child development and is always dedicated to working closely with our children and their families. My main qualifications include NNEB and a Foundation degree in Children’s Services. I regularly update my training such as safeguarding and first aid and I like to keep up to date with news and events.
I'm Flick, I have worked at The Ark for 8 years but have 20 years’ experience in the childcare industry. I am a level three play leader in the Investigators room at Burley Road which I love! Every day is new and I find this job so rewarding. Baking with the children is my passion
My name is Anna. I am a level 3 play leader at the Burley Road site. I have worked with children since 2007 and am passionate about the outdoors and all things wild and wonderful! I am at my happiest outside come rain or shine, hunting bugs, listening to birds or generally admiring nature. I am also a bit of a sci-fi geek and love bringing elements of it to work, fully embracing things like Star Wars day!
Hello, my name is Kirsty. I am a level 3 nursery practitioner and work across both rooms at the Burley Road nursery. I started working at the Ark in 2017 and since then I have completed my level 2 apprenticeship, NVQ level 3 and I am currently studying for my Foundation Degree in Early Years professional studies. I love to study and learn new things regarding the early year’s sector. I am passionate about children having the best opportunities to learn and explore and there well-being at the forefront of everything.
Hi I'm Olivia. I started my Level 2 as an apprentice at The Ark 8 years ago, then I went on and completed my Level 3. The Ark have supported and helped guide me in both my educational and personal development. My children and I have made a second home here at The Ark, and I feel lucky to get to be part of the team! When I'm not playing and getting stuck into messy play in 'Investigators', you will most likely find me tinkering with a malfunctioning laptop, as our unofficial "IT Wizard"!