Meet Our Team
Bacton under-fives was established in 1978 when it opened as a mother and toddler group. A year later the pre-school and the charity were established evolving over the years to full day care. We cover 51 weeks a year, 7.45 to 17.30, Monday to Friday. We provide care for children from 3 months to 4 years 11 months.
We also offer out of school care for 5- to 11-year-old children before and after school, plus during the school holidays.
All meals pre-pared and cooked on site covering all children’s dietary requirements.
If you would like further information about becoming members i.e., Committee members/fund raisers, please contact us at
Email: Bactonunderfives2023@outlook.com
Our Staff Members
Pat Chapman
Manager & Lead Practitioner
Pat is now working 3 sessions (mornings) a week in the Pre-school room. Other times can be found in her office upstairs. Pat is qualified at Level 5 obtaining her degree in 2012. Pat has been involved with the setting in some capacity since the group started in 1979.
Rebecca Pipe
Deputy Manager & Lead Practitioner
Rebecca joined ) joined us in January 2023. Rebecca has worked within childcare settings for the past 20 years. She has a “Degree of Bachelor of Arts” which she passed with honours in Early Learning. We are very pleased to have her on board. Rebecca works three days a week unless she is covering for Pat’s absences and is a Safeguarding lead.
Helen Cardy
Leader for the Under 3’s rooms
Helen is a full-time Early Years Practitioner qualified to level 3. Her main responsibility is leading the under 3’s in Seedlings and Buds rooms also a Safeguarding lead and SENCO for the younger children. Helen started working with us as a student and was offered a permanent in April 2010 when we opened the Buds room.
Rachel Ottley
Administrator
Rachel is our Administrator working 4 days a week and ensures that the business side of our setting is running smoothly. She is also Safeguarding lead. Rachel also joined us in 2010 when we branched out and additional work meant we needed administration.
Laura Cardy
Early Years Practitioner and Playworker
Laura is room leader for Acorns and is Level 3 qualified Laura working full-time. She is also a Safeguarding lead and in case you see a family, resemblance is the younger sister of Helen. Laura again started working with us in September 2010, as a holiday group staff and then replaced a member of staff who retired in the following February.
Katrina Laflin-Buckle
Early Years Practitioner
Early Years Practitioner works in the Buds room. Level 3 qualified Katrina works part-time three days a week. Katrina has been with us since she was 16 years old; starting as a work experience student.
Lois Steed
Early Years Practitioner
Lois is an Early Years Practitioner and is qualified at level 3 and she works five days week in the Seedlings room. Lois also started as a work experience student and then went onto be an apprentice before she qualified in 2017.
Fenella Laflin
Early Years Practitioner
Fenella is an Early Years Practitioner mainly within the Buds and Seedlings room. Fenella is the second of our sister pairings. Fenella joined us in 2017 fresh out of college after studying for two years for her level 3 qualification.
Sam Phillips
Early Years Practitioner and Playworker
Early Years Practitioner and Playworker for the out of school groups. Level 3 qualified. Sam works 15 hours a week. Sam joined us in 2001, when we opened the After School Group.
Jemma Gritton
Hello, my name is Jemma and I’m the Chair of the Committee. I first got involved with BU5s as my children each attended from the age of 1 and they loved their time here. I think the staff do a brilliant job, care about each child individually and really prioritise their needs. I am always telling people what a wonderful setting BU5s is
Melinda Ankin
Melinda joined us in 2019 initially as bank staff, she now works regular sessions three days a week and remains on call for other shifts. Melinda worked in early years and was also a qualified teacher, so her experience is vast in the field of Early Years.
Samantha Pearce
Samantha is studying under the apprentice ship scheme with West Suffolk College – and she has quickly become one of the team. Sam joined us in October 2021. Sam is currently on maternity leave.
Tracey May
Tracey joined the team in June 2022, she is very experienced in the field of early years she will be working with all age groups. Tracey works 4 days a week in Acorns and Seedlings.
Kirsty Nash
Kirsty is our newest member of staff joining us in July 2023. She is level 3 qualified and has previously worked in other nurseries.
Phil Chapman
Our resident ‘Chef’ and “Mr Fix-it” in the setting. He also works in the Out of School group with the older children – he has a level 3 qualification.
Katie & Holleigh Harrod
Yes, another set of sisters work with us at holiday time, both are at university term times. Both are studying within the realms of courses based with children giving them a valuable insight to working with them.
Sharron Fowell
Sharron is our cleaner and works each day and faces all kinds of mess! She is an invaluable member of our team. In addition, Sharron comes in to help us at dinner time in the serving and clearing up after the children between 12 noon and 1pm. Sharron’s days of helping are Monday and Wednesday.
Carole Stephens
Carole is also our cleaner and works alongside Sharron clearing and cleaning after each day. I am pleased to say that Carole also helps us at dinner times. Carole’s days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Students in the setting
Bacton Under Fives is committed to helping young people train in care and education and has students join the team on a regular basis from West Suffolk and Ipswich colleges also High Schools on work experience.