Our Staff
Baby Ducks is a family business that has operated in the Brighton area for over 1 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
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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.
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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.
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Blended Paediatric First Aid 5/11/21
Leanne Downes
CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER​
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Level 3 Diploma in Pre-School Practice​
2011
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Leanne originally joined Baby Ducks in 2010 and worked for us for over ten years progressing to the level of Deputy manager in 2022. We are really pleased that she decided to return to childcare in October 2023 after a short break working elsewhere.
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She has two children, both of them attended Baby Ducks when they were younger.​
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She has over 15 years experience working in childcare settings in the local area and has completed several training courses including Team Leading, Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid, SENCo and Food Hygiene
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Paediatric First Aid 5/11/21
Zoë Cambell-Smith
MANAGER
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Early Years Professional Status 2013
Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies in Learning and Development 2013
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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.
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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.
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Zoë has completed numerous courses such as paediatric first aid, safeguarding for lead practitioners and food hygiene
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Blended Paediatric First Aid 5/11/21
Maryann Clifford
DEPUTY MANAGER​
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Level 3 Diploma in Pre-School Practice
2009
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Maryann originally joined Baby Ducks in 2006 as a volunteer and progressed to become our deputy manger. She left us in 2017 when she decided to change her career path. We are delighted that she decided to return to us in 2022.
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She has two daughter. Her Grandson now attends Baby Ducks.
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Maryann gained level 3 in April 2009.
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Maryann has completed several training courses including Team Leading, Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid and SENCo.
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Maryann is the key person for the green team.
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Full Paediatric First Aid 23/1/21
Lois Jordan
CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER
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BA (HONS) With QTS in Key Stage 2/3 Teaching.
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Lois joined Baby Ducks in 2022. She is the key person for the yellow team.
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Lois's children have all attended Baby Ducks and her daughter is still with us.
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Lois has worked for other childcare setting in our area.
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She has completed several training courses including Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid
Blended Paediatric First Aid 4/3/23
Jake Cambell-Smith
CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER
(BANK STAFF)
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Jake joined us in June 2021.​
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He is studying his BA Eductation Studies at Plymouth University
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Jake was a Baby Duck himself during the settings very first year.
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When he is home from University he covers holiday and staff trainings.
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Samantha Ball
APPRENTICE CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER
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Just finished Level 3 in Early Years
Sam joined Baby Ducks in 2020. She is the key person for the red team.
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Sam's daughter attended Baby Ducks.
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Sam is currently training as an apprentice for her level 3 in childcare.​
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Sam has completed several training courses including Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid
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Blended Paediatric First Aid 5/11/21
Katie Harding
CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER
(BANK STAFF)
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BA (HONS) With QTS in Key Stage 2/3 Teaching.
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Katie joined Baby Ducks in 2022.
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Katie's children have all attended Baby Ducks and her youngest two daughters are still with us.
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Katie trained as a teacher. She has several years experience as a secondary school Science teacher.
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Katie has completed several training courses including Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid
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