The Magic Makers: Fun Questions With the Toddlers Inn Team!

At Toddlers Inn, our practitioners put their hearts into supporting, educating, and engaging with the children every single day. To help families get to know the wonderful people behind the activities, routines, and special moments your children enjoy, our team recently answered a series of fun and thoughtful questions. In the profiles below, you’ll find their favourite storybooks, go‑to messy play ideas, and even some of their personal aspirations — offering a closer, more personal look at the practitioners who help your children learn, grow, and feel secure.

Danielle

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? Julia Donaldson - Tiddler - I love the way it teaches you that you can be anything you want.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? Old MacDonald because you can change it each time and involve the children.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? “Are we having tea before or after sunset?”

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Cornflour, coloured water and pipettes.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Singing extra loud and then snuggle with cushions and blankets.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? Spaghetti bolognese and I still now love a mince dish.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A tortoise.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? To know what is worrying a child.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Always try your best, that’s all you can do.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? The Maldives.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? To be able to fly to another country - what an amazing nursery trip that would be!

Izzy

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? The Odd Fish - helps children learn about the ocean and keeping it clean.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? Incy Wincy Spider.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? “Izzy, you are very temperamental” Such a big word for a child and completely out of context!

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Creating bubble play.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Singing nursery songs.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? Old rainbow drop sweets and Mr Whippy Ice cream.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? Cats, they actually love me.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? An amazing dancer for Taylor Swift.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Don’t bottle up your feelings.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? New York.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? Creating Starbucks drinks to keep everyone calm.

Lorna

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? That's Not My..... This range of sensory, touch and feel books, covers multiple animals, vehicles and festivities, which engages babies and children to explore. The storyline is repetitive until the end page, so children can join in with the story and there is also a white mouse on each page for the children to find.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? Old McDonald Had A Farm.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? We are getting a tree for the garden, a conservatory!

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Gloop.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? A calming story in a comfy corner which grabs their attention.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? Both as a child and adult- Spaghetti Bolognese and Italian Food.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A Miniature Donkey.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? An animal whisperer.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Make time for yourself.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? Lake Como.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? Mary Poppins - Click my fingers and the tidying & cleaning is done.

Niav

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? Peter Rabbit because he is always brave and curious.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? Open Shut Them.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? “Your hair is pretty”.

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Potion making.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Singing songs.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? Beans and sausages both now and then.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A turtle.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? Horse riding.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Never give up!

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? Hawaii.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? To fly, I’d be so quick!

Orla

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? ‘Stone Soup’ because I remember reading this one when I was young, and love reflecting on the moral of the story; when we work together and share what we have, we enjoy it more.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? That you are my best friend.

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Creating a dinosaur world.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Giving them cuddles & singing a song to them.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? I used to love my mum’s potatoes, chicken and white sauce dinner. Now, I love chilli & mash.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A wildcat.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? Building my own house.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Don’t give your power away (from my mum).

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? New Zealand.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? To magically heal people, I could help heal the children when they hurt themselves.

Sabrina

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? The Book without Pictures by B.J.Novak because it relies solely on your voice, interactions and personality, always brings out the giggles.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? 5 Little Men in a Flying Saucer.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? “My mummy isn’t at work, it’s her birthday, and she is having a special day”.

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Splatter painting.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Time, listening and breathing slowly.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? My nans Hovis bread and butter after school, and Wild Garlic Pesto pasta now.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A Dragon.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? I would love to speak another language.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? If you can be anything, BE KIND.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? Japan - I would love to see the blossom festival.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? To speak every language so that I can understand and help everyone to communicate.

Teigan

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? “That’s not my…….” collection. Learning textures and adjectives.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? “Hop Little Bunnies”, you can change the animal too.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? “Are your eyebrows painted?” The last time I wear make up to work!

• What is your go-to messy play activity? A science activity.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? The art of distraction or singing until they ask me to stop.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? Spaghetti carbonara - All the time!

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A small aquarium, sea horses and sea turtles.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? Scuba diving or learn to fly a plane.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Take each day at a time.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? Bali or the Bahamas (Pig Island).

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? Mind reading to help everyone communicate.

Zoe La

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? Superworm – I love it when the children join in.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? Hop Little Bunnies - endless fun!

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? Sweetest - When a child told me that she wasn’t from Africa because she was white, it opened up opportunities for discussion.

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Gloop.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Singing or saying the word - MINIBUS!

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? Strawberries when I was little, and now roast potatoes.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A dragon (like the ones who live in the library).

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? I would become an expert in medicine.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Worrying means you suffer twice - major overthinker!

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? Hawaii – my dream!

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? To teleport - no travel time!

Zoe Li

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? 5 Minutes Peace! Because every parent can relate to this.

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? Big Red Combine Harvester.

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? Funniest: What are those bumps on your chest?!

• What is your go-to messy play activity? Dinosaur play environment.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? Sitting down and listening to what has upset them and talking through it.

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? As a child, Jaffa cakes and now spaghetti bolognese.

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? A Guinea Pig.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? Sign Language.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? When you get married, take 10 minutes out of your day to take it all in because it goes so fast.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? America- Route 66.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? I would turn things to gold - not sure how it would help at work though!

Grace

• What is your absolute favourite storybook to read to the children and why? I love reading Dr Seuss books; they are so imaginative, the wordplay and rhymes are linguistically inspiring, and the illustrations are beautiful. The stories and characters are fun, witty and creative. 

• If you could only sing one nursery rhyme for the rest of the year, which one are you picking? Old Macdonald had a farm simply because the possibilities of animals (or other creatures) are endless, and I like to include sounds and movements, so it won’t get too boring. 

• What is the funniest or sweetest thing a child has said to you recently? This is just too difficult, 90% of what they say is funny or sweet!

• What is your go-to messy play activity? The mud kitchen is a must, but water play is a close second.

• What is your secret superpower for calming a grumpy toddler or comforting a sad child? A game of peekaboo! 

• What was your favourite food when you were a child, and what is your favourite food now? When I was a child, it was sausage and mash or cheesy spaghetti! Now it's Thai/Malaysian curry with rice, and I still love sausage and mash (veggie sausages now though)!

• If you could have any animal as a pet (real or mythical), what would it be? I would love to have a dragon as an animal companion; that would be epic.

• If you could instantly become an expert in any skill or hobby, what would it be? Playing the harp.

• What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? You can't make people change, so focus on being your best self and inspiring the world around you.

• If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go? New Zealand and Ghana, to see my family.

• If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would it help you at work? Being able to fly, but as my dragon can fly, I'll choose being able to control the weather instead. It would help at work to keep things cool when it starts to get too hot, letting it rain when everyone has the wetsuits on and then having sunshine to dry us off. Being outside a lot, the weather is always a focal point, so I'm sure it could be fun to play with!

Conclusion

The responses from our Toddlers Inn team give you a lovely glimpse into the different interests, approaches, and experiences each practitioner brings to your child’s day. From favourite storybooks to the little ways they comfort and support children, these profiles show just how thoughtfully our staff nurture learning and wellbeing. These insights allow you to get to know the wonderful people who help your child learn, grow, and feel at home with us.