Staff
Kingfisher Kindergarten has a caring, friendly and qualified team of 8 highly trained and qualified individuals. We all share the same passion to work with and enrich young children's development while in our care. We are all First Aid and Safeguard Trained.
La-Ryne van der Westhuizen
Owner
Working with young children since 2011, La-Ryne has been the owner of Kingfisher since October 2018.
La-Ryne is currently studying for her Level 6 in Early Years Leadership.
La-Ryne is a Designated Safeguarding Lead within the setting.
Kirsty Johnson
Manager & Level 3 SENCO
Kirstie Hart
Deputy Manager
Oral Health Lead
Kirsty joined Kingfisher in April 2018 having worked in childcare since college. She is highly skilled and trained and we are very lucky to have her lead our team. Her brilliant approach to her role is evident all throughout our setting and Kirsty always has bright and bold ideas to move us in the right direction.
Kirsty is a Designated Safeguarding Lead and our Setting SENCO.
Kirstie joined our team in April 2021. She has worked in childcare since her teens and is fully qualified. She is very nurturing and has a wonderfully calm approach with the children.
Kirstie became our Deputy Manager in January 2023.
Kirstie is a Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Sarah McEwan
Level 3 Practitioner
Safety Lead
Sarah joined our team in March 2018 and trained at college from a young age and is fully qualified.
Sarah is a very popular member within our team and to the children. She has a great sense of humour and brings a lot of laughter and fun to work.
Lynsey McDonald
Nursery Assistant
Lynsey is a Nursery Assistant and a great help around the setting. She is very popular with the children and always found playing games, reading books to the children or doing puzzles.
Jessica Spillman
Bank Staff
Jessica is a qualified Level 3 Nursery Practitioner. She has been a parent of the setting for many years and we are lucky to have her as part of the team as Bank Staff. She has lots of experience and with her calm and fun personality, the children really enjoy spending their time with her.
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Karen Waterman
Qualified Teacher
Setting Language Lead
Karen has been with us since February 2018. She is a qualified teacher and has a passion for working in the Early Years. She brings a lot of diversity to the team and is a great role model to the children.
Karen is also our Language Lead for the setting.
Carla Perona
Bank Staff
Carla joined our team in September 2022 and is now Bank Staff. She is very friendly and has a very fun, warm and nurturing approach. The children adore spending time with her, especially in the creative area.
Nerys
Nursery Pet
Nerys is our Nursery Pet. Nerys is a Giant African snail and the children love taking care of her, giving her a bath, spraying and feeding her. She loves a warm bath, fruit and is particularly fond of cucumber.
Jade Elks
Nursery Assistant
Jade joined our team in April 2025.
She is warm, friendly and takes initiative in all areas of her job role. She enjoys spending time with the children and extended their learning. Jade is currently studying for her degree in Child Development.
Naomi Buckley
Bank Staff
Naomi is another great help within our team as Bank Staff. She is also a swimming teacher so is great with interacting with children and getting the best out of them. Naomi takes initiative to confidently perform at her best within the setting.
