I have been working within childcare for most of my life, I have done voluntary work within my local community as well as in India for a few weeks. I have a CACHE level 3 and I have completed my Early Childhood Studies Degree, this is when I built upon my career as an early years practitioner. When Chestnut took over the nursery in 2015 I was a room leader, they were able to change the environment to a happier and more welcoming place to be. I really felt that it was just what the nursery needed, Chestnut where able to see the full potential within the nursery as well as the staff. Shortly after I was promoted to a deputy manager and now I have been a manager for just over a year. I love working here at Chestnut Nursery Ray Lodge, we have a diverse, happy, healthy and safe environment. I love working with children as I feel that I make a change to the children’s lives, by providing stimulating learning opportunities for them so they can fulfill their potential.

My name is Chanel Byfield and I qualified with a Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development. I have worked within childcare for the past 6 years, where I have successfully worked my way up from beginning as an apprentice studying level 2 childcare, to a room leader and now to a Deputy Manager which I have been for the past 4 years. Working with children has always been a passion of mine from a young age, as I feel for me there is nothing more rewarding than supporting a child to learn and develop skills, exploring their abilities as well as the environment around them, to see them achieve and support them becoming confident, strong and independent children.