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Leicestershire Police Force
Statement by Hayley Jane Plummer
Occupation: Nursery School Teacher
This statement consisting of two pages is true and in accordance
with my understanding.
Date 6th May 2008
I work as a teacher at Laurels Nursery School, Melton Road,
Queniborough, Leicestershire. I have worked full time for almost
eight or nine years. I work alone in a class room and have eight
children under my responsibility every day.
Laurels nursery school receives children aged between 6 weeks
and school age and is divided in various classrooms in different
buildings, where the children are grouped according to age and
aptitude. I have worked in all the classrooms with children of
all ages and at the moment I am in charge of children aged from
3 to 5 years.
I got to know Madeleine and her parents Kate and Gerry at the
nursery school. I also spent time with them socially because my
boyfriend James is Kate’s cousin. As a couple, James and I would
take care of Madeleine and the twins in their house in Rothley
about every two months, for a few hours each time. We would
arrive at the house at about 19.00 – 19.30 when the twins were
already asleep, but Madeleine was waiting for us and would be up
for about half an hour. The routine followed would be to brush
her teeth and tell her a story or two before going to sleep,
followed by a brief passage through the twins room. Once she was
alone Madeleine would generally fall asleep after 10 minutes and
during my stays in their house she would never get out of bed
after having fallen asleep. She would always sleep in her room.
I do not remember Madeleine having been difficult when we were
there.
Madeleine initially went to the nursery in the mornings but as
she got older she would spend the whole day on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday at the nursery – which she enjoyed very
much. Kate would take care of Madeleine on Mondays and Fridays,
often taking her for swimming lessons. I have known Madeleine
for about three years and she was always under my responsibility
at the Laurels nursery.
Kate and Gerry would take turns in dropping off and fetching her
from the nursery.
Madeline was a very polite and affectionate girl, particularly
in respect to the twins. At the nursery she was a very popular
girl and it was a pleasure to have her near.
She seemed to be a very alert girl and she always adapted well.
The only time I remember her feeling a little intimidated was
when she changed classroom for the first time and she was placed
with more children who were a bit older.
She would show some shyness when she was left by her parents but
she adapted rapidly so that they would leave after she finished
her breakfast.
Madeleine made many friends at the nursery but her best friend
was Sophia. I think that Kate and Sophia’s mother (Sally) became
good friends based upon the friendship between their daughters.
Kate and Gerry were always very friendly with me, were polite
and easy going.
Madeleine never showed any problems or worry she might have had,
or show any behaviour that would cause any worry. I do not
consider Madeleine to be hyperactive, she was a healthy girl
with normal development for her age.
For me Madeleine is calm and easy to get on with.
I do not know whether Madeleine was subject to any kind of
medication, I never had to give her any medication at the
nursery or at home when I looked after her.
Gerry and Kate never appeared to have any type of problem in
their relation with Madeleine. We would have regular meetings
with the parents in the nursery and Kate and Gerry did not
express any worry about Madeleine or her behaviour and they
never appeared to be tired or frustrated in relation to their
daughter.
I saw Madeleine for the last time on Thursday on the eve of her
departure for holiday to Portugal. She was very enthusiastic
with the trip, telling the teachers and the other children about
it.
This statement was made by me and is truthful in accordance with
my understanding. |
