Our Staff Team

St Catherine’s nursery in Leyland is graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and is a unique day-care setting, as our nursery staff are a dedicated established long serving team, who have a wealth of knowledge, and collectively have over a hundred and fifty years’ experience.

Our nursery staff retention is excellent, therefore our nursery provides consistency for you and your child which enables strong relationships to develop, which in turn supports children to grow in confidence and self-esteem. 

The nursery staff team are dedicated to working with parents to provide the best start for each individual child. We draw on a wealth of experience in order to support you through the challenges which parenting brings by working with you through our Key Person system.

Here at St Catherine’s Nursery, our staff are our most valuable asset, as we have a strong professional team who are passionate about early years. We are providers of continuing training in the workplace and offer staff every opportunity to continue further studies and training with our full support and encouragement.

So if you require a friendly home from home nursery setting for your child, that has a dedicated highly qualified staff team, where your child will be supported in reaching their full potential, then St Catherine’s Nursery in Leyland is your nursery of choice.

Helen Brockliss

Helen Brockliss

Nursery Manager

BA Hons Degree in Education and Professional Studies

Helen has worked at St Catherine’s Nursery since 2009 and has over twenty years childcare experience.

Jane Handyside

Jane Handyside

Deputy Manager

Early Years Educator Level 3
Forest School Teacher Level 3

Jane has worked at St Catherine’s Nursery since 1999 and has over twenty five years childcare experience.

Emma Rawlinson

Emma Rawlinson

SENCO

NVQ Level 3
SEN Advanced Level 4

Emma has worked at St Catherine’s Nursery since 2019, and has over twenty years childcare experience.

Kate Bower

Kate Bower

Early Years Practitioner

NVQ Level 3

Kate has a few years experience working with primary school children and has worked at St Catherine’s Nursery since 2023.

Louise Leonard

Louise Leonard

Early Years Practitioner

NVQ Level 3

Louise has worked at St Catherine’s Nursery since 2009.

 

Jodie Cornthwaite

Jodie Cornthwaite

Early Years Practitioner

Early Years Educator Level 3

Jodie has over 7 years childcare experience and has recently joined our team at St Catherine’s Nursery.

Elaine McPhillips

Elaine McPhillips

Early Years Practitioner

NNEB Level 3

Elaine has over 30 years childcare experience working,  and has worked at St Catherine’s Nursery since March 2026.

Rachel Kimblin

Rachel Kimblin

Early Years Practitioner

BTEC Level 3

Rachel has six years experience working with Reception children in a primary school and has four years childcare experience. Rachel started working at St Catherine’s Nursery in September 2025.

Katie Critchley

Katie Critchley

Early Years Practitioner

CACHE Level 3

Katie has worked at St Catherine’s Nursery since 2017, firstly working as a parent volunteer.

 

Jorja Thomas

Jorja Thomas

Early Years Practitioner

Early Years Educator Level 3

Jorja has worked at St Catherine’s Nursery since January 2025.

Bethany Rowlands

Bethany Rowlands

Early Years Practitioner

NVQ Level 3

Bethany has worked at St Catherine’s Nursery since 2019, and has over ten years childcare experience.