Meet the Team
All our staff have full and current DBS checks in place.
Jacqui
&
Brian
Proprietor
Proprietor
Jacqui's career began in Textiles and Ceramic Design following studying Business Studies and Surface Pattern Design, whilst Brian had an eclectic career from farming, haulage, oil industry and the residential care sector. However, after having children of their own, Jacqui and Brian's focus changed and they became heavily involved with their children's schools, running the PTFA and Jacqui became a School Governor. As their own children became teenagers, Jacqui and Brian felt the time was right to focus their career path into Early Years Education and set up Cats Whiskers Day Nursery.
Felicity (Fizz)
Nursery Manager
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Lead SENCO
BA(HONS)
Fizz is Brian and Jacqui's daughter. She has a degree in Performing Arts and Music from RWCMD and Coventry University and a post-graduate qualification as an Early Years Professional.
As a qualified percussionist and trained in Musical Theatre and Dance, Fizz brings her passion of the Arts into the nursery, to enable the children to have diverse and exciting creative opportunities.
Greg
Facilities, Marketing & Enrichment Manager
Greg is Fizz's brother and is a professional drummer by trade. Greg brings his wealth of knowledge of the arts and extra curricular activities into the nursery, making sure the children have access to a range of experiences. Greg is also in charge of making sure the building, grounds and equipment are in tip top condition. He also supports the nursery in keeping the website and social media up to date. When not at nursery, Greg can be found playing drums for many bands and theatres in Bournemouth and around the country.
Caroline
Deputy Manager
SENCO
Pastoral Lead
Caroline has been a part of the Cats Whiskers Team since we opened in October 2000. Her love of science experiments, story-telling and singing with the children make her a much loved member of staff.
As the nursery SENDCO, Caroline supports a number of children and families with their child's development, to enable them to reach the best of their potential.
Carol
Administrator
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
An integral part of the management team, Carol supports all the staff in managing ratios, funding, health and safety, deployment and keeping on top of paperwork. Carol loves a spreadsheet!
She is also a qualified nursery practitioner and the children love when she plays the piano for them to sing along to.
Rudi
Under 3's Team Lead
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Level 4 Early Years Educator
Rudi is an extremely knowledgeable and skilled Early Years Educator, with an exceptional work ethic. Rudi leads the under 3s team to make sure the education and learning is the best it can be.
Lily D
Early Years Development Lead
Early Years Teacher
Lily graduated from Arts University Bournemouth in 2021 with a degree in Animation. She joined the Cats Whiskers team in Spring 2022 and is currently completing a post-graduate degree as an Early Years teacher. Lily loves using her creative skills in activities with the children. Lily was brought up in the South of France and is fluent in both French and English.
Lily S
Early Years Primary Teacher QTS
Before completing her teacher training at Bath Spa University, Lily worked with us while qualifying as a Level 3 Early Years Educator. We are so pleased that upon graduating from University as a Primary School Teacher, Lily decided to return to us and use her expertise to support the pre-school children's education and learning. Lily also loves Performing Arts having been a student at Swish of the Curtain Theatre School.
Shannon
SENCO
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Shannon has now been part of the Cats Whiskers Team for several years. She has a bubbly personality and a 'can do' attitude, which helps the children to have the same. Shannon is very organised and loves to give the children fun challenges throughout the day. She is a committed and dedicated member of the Cats Whiskers Team.
Simona
Baby Room Team Lead
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Simona joined the team in 2021. Simona's calming nature, organisational skills and friendly personality make her the perfect addition to the team. Simona is originally from Italy and speaks (and writes) fluently in Italian and English.
Laura
Baby Room Team Lead
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Laura qualified as an early years educator before having 4 children of her own! 3 of her children came through Cats Whiskers and Laura was keen to join the work family now they are all at school. Her warm and bubbly personality makes her a firm favourite with children and parents alike.
Hazel
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Hazel joined Cats Whiskers in 2007 and is much loved by the children. Her caring nature helps children to warm to her quickly.
Hazel currently works in our baby room 'Apples', but has much experience across the whole nursery.
Cat
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Cat is a mummy of 2 children and having discovered a love of the Early Years decided to have a career change.
She completed her level 3 Early Years Educator Training here at Cats Whiskers in 2025 and predominantly works within the preschool room. Cat loves to plan a wide range of activities to excite and stimulate the children's love of learning.
Isaac
Level 3 Early Years Educator
Isaac joined us with several years experience in working in Early Years and working with children who have complex needs. Isaac regularly volunteers at the Dorset Children's Foundation. Isaac loves playing football and it is lovely for the children to have another male role model at Cats Whiskers.
Megan
Level 2 Early Years Educator
Megan joined the team several years ago and her confidence has flourished in that time. Trained in patisserie, she regularly bakes with our toddlers, which not only helps them to develop their gross and fine motor skills, but means they have something yummy and home made for tea too!
Lola
Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprentice
Lola originally came to Cats Whiskers as a baby, staying with us until she went to school. Now in her final year of A-levels, Lola loves to spend her holidays working here, alongside training in Musical Theatre at Big Little Theatre School and brings her love of drama, dance and music to the children.
Marcela
Level 3 Early Years Educator Apprentice
Marcela has joined us while she trains as a Level 3 Early Years Educator. Marcela is a confident young lady and is keen to develop her skills working with children.
We are glad to have her join the team.
Zoltan
Tennis Coach
Zoltan coaches the pre-school children at least twice per week throughout the year. He is a LTA tennis coach at Southbourne Tennis Club and it is lovely that there is a large Cats Whiskers Alumni that have continued their tennis journey with him there.
The pre-school children love learning their 'ABC' (Agility, Balance and Coordination) with Zoltan and these skills really help improve their physical development as well as team building and listening skills.
Clare
Cook
Level 5 Early Years Educator
Level 3 Food Safety
Clare's two passions are Early Years and Cooking, we are delighted that Clare is able to fulfil both of her passions within one job and produce the children delicious and nutritious meals.
Emily
Bank Staff
Emily joined Cats Whiskers to complete her level 3 Early Years Educators course, following in her twin sister, Jess' footsteps. Emily works hard and is extremely good at very quickly remembering every child's routine. Emily works predominantly with the Under 3's but also loves to work within the preschool room.
Mia
Bank Staff
Mia is a student at Brockenhurst College and supports at the nursery on her days off and during college holidays. Mia is extremely creative and brings her artistic flair into the activities she does with the children. She is extremely hard working and always smiling.
Poppy
Bank Staff
Poppy is the youngest member of our team, but my goodness, she's a grafter! Poppy helps us during the holidays and during her free time whilst studying at college.
Meg S
Bank Staff
Meg is Harry's sister and also attended the nursery as a child. Having also developed a love of Performing Arts while at nursery, Meg joined Big Little Theatre School and subsequently went on to Emil Dale Academy where she gained her BA(Hons).
Harry
Bank Staff
Harry has been part of the Cats Whiskers Family since he was born, as he came here as a child! The music and performing arts opportunities he had at the nursery have since become a lifelong ambition as he went on to join Big Little Theatre School and is now studying at ArtsEd in London. Harry returns to help us during his holiday breaks.