Our Staff
Baby Ducks is a family business that has operated in the Brighton area for over 10 years. We have a small team of childcare staff that are committed to providing the best possible experience for your children.
Gary Cambell-Smith
OWNER
Gary has worked in Retail for most of his working life after leaving Brighton University in 1992. He has held many different management positions before opening his own toy and game shop in 2007.
Following the birth of their son in 2003 Gary and Zoe started to think about opening a childcare business that offered quality childcare at affordable prices. They eventually opened Baby Ducks Childcare February 2006 just weeks after the birth of their daughter.
Baby Ducks started with just 4 children (3 of which were the staffs) and has gone on to care for hundreds of children for over 10 years.
Gary is currently key person for the green team.
Leanne Downes
DEPUTY MANAGER
Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce: Early Learning and Childcare Pathway.
Leanne joined Baby Ducks in November 2010 and is the key person for the yellow team. She has progressed to become the Senior Childcare Practitioner and Special Educational Needs Coordinator.
She has two children both of which attended Baby Ducks and have now moved on to school.
Leanne gained level 3 in April 2014.
Leanne has completed several training courses including Team Leading, Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid and SENCo.
Zoë Cambell-Smith
MANAGER
EYPS
(Early Years Professional Status)
Zoë has worked in childcare for over 20 years. She started as a nanny and then joined Early Years Childcare before eventually opening Baby Ducks Childcare in February 2006 with her husband Gary.
Zoë gained her Foundation Degree in Arts in Early Years Childcare and Education in July 2012 at Brighton University and then completed her Early Years Professional Status in July 2013.
Zoë has completed numerous courses such as paediatric first aid, safeguarding for lead practitioners and food hygiene
Nicola Dunk
Samantha Ball
CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER
Nicola joined Baby Ducks in 2022. She is the key person for the blue team.
She has two children and her son attends Baby Ducks.
Nicola has completed her level 6 qualification in childcare.
She has 12 years experience working in childcare settings in the local area and has completed several training courses including Team Leading, Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene
APPRENTICE CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER
Sam joined Baby Ducks in 2020. She is the key person for the red team.
Sam's daughter attended Baby Ducks.
Sam is currently training as an apprentice for her level 3 in childcare.
Sam has completed several training courses including Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid
Tabitha Burrows
STUDENT CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER
Tabby joined us in 2020 as a Student and is studying to do her A levels.
Tabby was a Baby Duck herself during the settings very first year open