“It’s always a little worrying when new management and staff take over, but all worries were instantly alleviated. The new owners are wonderful! They instantly made me feel relaxed with their friendliness and how they went out of their way to get to know parents and children.” Louisa M.
Meet Alix and David Bedford
My name is Alix Bedford and I am proud to be the new owner and manager of the former 1st Steps Day Nursery.
My qualifications are:
- Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree in Early Years
- BA Hons Early Years Development, Learning, and Support ( Level 6)
- Early Years Professional /Teacher Status
- Business Success for Childcare – including Business Management, Business Planning, and working with parents
My background:
From 2002 to 2009 I was a self-employed Childminder – operating childcare from Domestic premises. During that time I was inspected by Ofsted and awarded Outstanding. From 2007-2009 I worked for Liverpool Local Authority working from a Children’s Centre. This gave me valuable experience working in a targeted area of “deprivation” alongside families, ( including designated hard-to-reach), Childcare Settings and Childminders. My job was to work to improve outcomes for children, part of this was to improve childcare settings and enable children to attend high-quality provisions which will give them the best start in life. When I left I managed to get a team of 12 childminders from the 4 original teams, 9 of which were awarded outstanding and the rest rated as Good. (A significant improvement from 1 Outstanding, 2 Good, and 1 Inadequate) I also had a significant impact on the Ofsted ratings in Local Nurseries.
From 2009-2013 I worked for Knowsley Local Authority as an Early Years Quality Development Officer. This role saw me again working with Childcare providers in a set area of Knowsley to improve their provision and Ofsted rating. When I left the team to join Orchard Day Nursery in 2013 I had 88% ( 22 out of 25 settings ) of my settings sitting on Good or Outstanding Ofsted rating – the highest in the Borough.
In 2013 I was headhunted and given the opportunity to join Orchard Day Nursery in Huyton, where I became the Senior Manager. My role was again to ensure the setting maintained its Outstanding rating gained in 2010 – which we did in both 2013 and 2020. During my time at Orchard, I have also been responsible for the day-to-day business management of the setting, which has between 170-200 children a day!
I have wanted to have my own nursery for many years and am so honoured and pleased to finally have that chance at Treetops Nursery Bootle. We will be changing the name shortly too.
I look forward to working with parents, children, and staff at Treetops Nursery Bootle.
Alix Bedford
“We were already there for a month or two but have noticed so many changes for the better. It feels warmer and more welcoming and feels like a lot more effort and heart is put into everything.” Simi H
Meet David Bedford
I am pleased to be the new owner of Treetops Nursery Bootle with my wife Alix. I don’t come from a childcare background, but from the business world, along with nearly 20 years serving as a Governor (17 years as Chair of Governors) in what is now the largest primary school in Liverpool.
In November 1983, I began working at Norwich Union (now Aviva) in Liverpool in the underwriting department on a temporary 6-month contract. I became the only employee to gain a promotion whilst still on a temporary contract. That job was made permanent, and by 1992 I was a team supervisor. I gained qualifications in English Law and also Contract Law and Insurance.
In 1991 I joined the sales team as a Business Development Support and, in September 1993, I was promoted to Business Development Consultant working at Norwich Union (Birmingham). In 1994, I was transferred to the Preston office before, in 1997, I returned to the Liverpool office as a Business Development Manager.
During those years on the sales team, I became a trainer, leading the training of staff and the Insurance Brokers I was working with, in Marketing, Sales, Project Management, and Presentation Skills. As a Business Development Manager, I was responsible for a local area and took the total income from just over £ 3 million to over £ 5 million in 3 years.
Twenty years ago I changed career and followed an interest in The Beatles and, over several years, put a book together which was published eventually in 2009. I have subsequently written and co-authored 8 books, and been the historian/ consultant on a successful documentary feature film, which has been sold around the world. I have given business advice to a couple of friends and helped them build successful businesses and have now joined a documentary film company to help drive the business side and develop new film ideas.
I have taught children’s groups of all ages over the years, from Sunday School to children’s groups in primary school too, as well as gaining a lot of experience raising our three daughters and two grandsons.
Alix and I enjoy working together and I look forward to helping the children to thrive at this wonderful Nursery.
David Bedford
