Meet the team

Meet the friendly team of trained childcare staff at Buttercups Nursery and Pre-School. The whole team welcome you to visit the nursery…

Hazel Scott

Owner/Manager

I am married to Dave and I have two grown up children Helen and Clare and have lived local to the area since 1976. Sadly, in March 2005 my eldest daughter Sharon died from breast cancer.

I have been working with children aged between 2yrs 9mths to 5yrs for over 30 years. In June 1998 (in partnership with my daughter Helen) I set up Buttercup’s Nursery School in Whiteley. The last 27 years have been a tremendous learning curve for me both personally and professionally and by working as a partnership with my daughter, Buttercups Nursery School has now become very successful and popular. I have 4 grandsons, Oliver (Helen’s son) and his brother Jack and my youngest daughter Clare has two children Louis and Freddie.

My role at Buttercups is to manage the day to day running of the nursery.   

Helen Akerman

Owner/Manager/Designated Safeguarding Lead

I am married to Dan and have two sons Oliver and Jack. I have been working with children aged between 2yrs 9mths to 4yrs 6mths for over 30 years. During this time, I have gained lots of experience and knowledge about child development and education. I opened Buttercups in June 1998 and have been successfully running the nursery ever since.

My role at Buttercups is to manage the day to day running of the nursery and ensure that all staff deliver a broad and balanced curriculum, enhancing children’s development as they progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage. As the setting EY-ELSA I am responsible for working with children to support their emotional health and well-being by implementing individual or small group activities. My training is on-going; I regularly attend training days to develop my knowledge of child education and business management.

Since becoming a mother myself I feel I have my own experiences to share with the parents and can sympathise with how difficult it is to let your child take those next steps in to pre-school life without you by their side.    

Rebecca Varos

Level 3 Deputy Manager / Lead Practitioner Safeguarding

My name is Rebecca Varos, I live in Whiteley with my husband and two daughters who both attended Buttercups Nursery School.


I have worked within the childcare sector for the past 16 years, caring for children from 6 months to 5 years. Within this time I have fulfilled a number of roles, including supporting behavioural needs, safeguarding and managing a 24 place setting.

I am looking forward to further developing my knowledge, practice and qualifications whilst working at Buttercups. 

Dawn Moody

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner

My name is Dawn Moody, I live locally in whiteley. I am married to Dave and have a teenage daughter Erin.

Prior to working at Buttercups, I have worked for a number of years predominantly in retail and customer services, taking a career break to stay at home with my daughter, during those first and formative years, whilst she attended Buttercups.

Having initially helped out at Buttercups in a parent capacity, I formally joined the team in 2013. To date, I have worked in a variety of different roles within the nursery, leading me to retrain and gain a formal qualification in childcare, an NCFE level 3 Diploma for the early years workforce.  

Alice Jones

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner  

My name is Alice I live in Warsash with my daughter Darcie.

I have worked in childcare for over 10 years, working in two local nurseries. During this time I gained a great deal of childcare knowledge and when I left childcare to have my daughter I spent 2 years coaching Gymnastics to under 5’s.

Since starting my role at Buttercups in July 2024, I have re found my passion for child care.

Chloe Thompson

Nursery Assistant Level 2

My name is Chloe Thompson I live at home with my Mum, brother and sister.

I started my apprenticeship at Buttercups in October 2023 and have recently passed my level 2 with a distinction and will be completing my Level 3.

I am a hardworking, patient and a caring practitioner that has a strong passion for supporting and helping children to develop and reach their full potential. I believe in providing a secure attachment for children as well as working in a parent partnership, which enhances children’s learning. 

Paige Saunders

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)

Currently on Maternity leave

My name is Paige Saunders and I have worked at Buttercups since 2013. I live in Portchester with my fiancé George and our two dogs Caesar and Cylus.

In 2022 I completed my BA Hons in Early Childhood Education, completing this allowed me to gain invaluable knowledge which has positivity shaped my practice and teaching in Early Years.

Alongside my role of the Ladybird group leader, I am also the setting’s SENCO. I have a strong passion in working alongside children with SEND and continue to further my knowledge by attending regular SENCO training sessions.  

Ela MoorE

Early Years Apprentice

My name is Ela Moore I live in Whiteley with my husband Shane, my two children Leo and Olivia and our dog Darcy.

Both my children attended Buttercups Nursery School, therefore I was familiar with the setting before starting to work at Buttercup as supply. In October 2023, I began my Level two apprentice in Early Years, which I am currently working towards.

My previous qualifications include a Master’s degree in teaching which I achieved in my home country of Poland.