Our Lovely People

We believe that people make a club special and therefore we pride ourselves on recruiting happy and positive play workers and then making sure our environment is a happy one so that that they stay with us!

All staff members undergo regular training in best practice methods for out of school clubs. Our aim is to have every member of our team trained in:

  • basic food hygiene
  • child protection
  • relevant aspects of childcare and special needs.

Meet the Senior Management Team

We believe that our strength is our people. Between us, the Senior Management Team have loads of experience of managing people and children.  Jenny Rowlands has a degree in Childhood Studies and Dee Sturges is an Early Years Professional.  Together with Ian & Josy Thompson we have founded, taught and managed in Kids Clubs and Nurseries in Harrogate for over 20 years.

What all four of us have in common is a passion for people, little and large, and for delivering the best possible experience for all people who come into our Funclubs. This passion drives everything that we do. We recruit the nicest people, we treat them well and in return they are happy and provide a fun, warm and caring environment for the children and a happy and welcoming approach for parents and carers. We strive to constantly improve and challenge ourselves and our wider teams to keep learning and to have fun in our work. We are very proud of our reputation and work hard to maintain the highest of standards at all times.

Meet some of our lovely Staff Team

Dee Sturges

My name is Dee Sturges and I recently joined Funclubs Ltd as a Director in September. I will be managing Funclub until we recruit a Manager.

I have 24 years of teaching, early years and childcare experience. I have a Degree in Childhood Studies and am an Early Years Professional.I have worked with children all my life and have three children of my own and three grandbabies 😊

Tasmin

My name is Tamsin and I have been working at Oatlands Infants and Juniors Funclub for 10 years. I am the Deputy Manager at Oatlands Juniors and work Monday – Thursday afternoons. I have been involved in education for over 25 years and am a qualified level 3.

Tobias

Hi, my name is Tobias and I am the morning Deputy Manager at Oatlands Junior. I have been working with Funclub since September and have two years experience with Hull Saints Foundation Football Club which helps young children develop important life skills through football. I am studying medial studies at University and hope to begin my Teacher training course soon. I work every morning
and every afternoon.

Charlie

My name is Charlie and I’m 20 years old. I am studying art and design at Harrogate College. I have been working at Funclub since June. I work every morning and Thursday afternoons. My favourite subjects at school were art, PE and biology. My favourite colour is beige.

Jack

Hi, my name is Jack and I joined Funclub in September. I enjoy sport – both playing and coaching football. I am currently on a gap year and will be heading to University next year to study History and Politics. I work every afternoon at Funclub.

Elizabeth

Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I am delighted to be working at Oatlands Juniors. I am a level 3 practitioner and have many years of experience in different settings with Funclubs Ltd. I work on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.