Burslem Kindergarten
Burslem Kindergarten opened in January 2020. The nursery has dedicated rooms for the different age groups in our care, with the children having access to two outdoor play areas as well as a sensory room.
We are ideally situated for parents who work throughout the city of Stoke-on-Trent and the site benefits from having off street parking. The kindergarten feeds into all of the primary schools within the city area.
Each day the children’s meals are prepared fresh, on-site by the nursery’s Catering Manager.
Meet The Team
Natasha Richards – Managing Director and Director of Educational Development
I founded the Kindergarten Group with the clear aim of delivering high quality childcare, in an environment where children can flourish and be happy. I started my career in education over twenty years ago and have always had a huge passion for supporting children to become the best that they can be, both academically and in their personal and social development. I have taught children from preschool, right through to students in higher university education and I have a BA Honours Degree in Primary Education, a Masters in Education and have worked as an early years inspector for OFSTED.
I am a proud mum of twin teenage boys, two dogs and a cat. When not at work I enjoy travelling the length and breadth of the country with my family on camping holidays.
Favourite Childhood Memory
As a child I always loved Christmas and still do! Even though I’m the eldest of four children, I’d always be the first one to wake up on Christmas morning, as I’d be so excited to see if Santa had been. I’d sneak downstairs to see if there were any presents, then I’d get my younger siblings to wake up my mum and dad who would insist that Santa hadn’t yet been (secretly hoping for a bit longer in bed), to which my brothers and sister would shout “oh yes he has – Tash has seen all of the presents!” With my own children it’s always been important to me to try and recreate the same magic and excitement of Christmas for them too.
Favourite Children’s Book
‘What Katy Did’ by Susan Coolidge
Favourite Children’s Film
Up
Favourite Season
It has to be winter as not only do I love the whole Christmas season, but I think there’s something really lovely about wrapping up warm in a big coat, scarf, woolly hat and gloves and heading outside for winter walks.
Siblings
I am the eldest of four children, I have one sister and two brothers.
Rebecca Jones – Director of Learning
When I was growing up I used to love helping to look after my sister who is ten years younger than me, this had a big influence on my decision to study child care at college. After I graduated I joined the team at Wolstanton Kindergarten and have since progressed in my career to work across all six of our settings within The Kindergarten Group. I find the most rewarding part of my role is to see the children in our care develop and learn new skills. Like many of the staff, I particularly enjoy the messy play and outdoor activities that we do with the children as it’s so much fun! In my current position I support all of our staff in their roles and deliver training across the six nursery settings to ensure the consistency and high quality of the care that we deliver.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband Jake and my little boy Levi and heading outside for walks with my Border Collie dog Olly (named after Olly Murs!).
Favourite Childhood Memory
We always used to visit my Nan and Grandad's house on a Sunday for Sunday lunch, as a special treat we used to have a chocolate bar and this was a surprise each week. My favourite was a diam bar!
Favourite Children’s Book
‘Guess How Much I Love You’ by Sam McBratney
Favourite Children’s Film
Elf
Favourite Season
I’ve always liked the wintertime the best, as I absolutely love Christmas and my birthday falls at this time of year too. I think it’s lovely to wrap up warm and head off outside for winter walks.
Siblings
I have two sisters and I’m the middle child.
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Nicola Steadman - Office Manager and Personal Assistant
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After working in a busy school office for 6 years, I decided it was time for a change. I have recently taken on the role of Office Manager and PA at The Kindergarten Group. I now provide our nurseries with administrative support.​ I’m a proud mum of two boys and like spending time with family and friends. I love travelling and campervan holidays.
Favourite childhood memory
I have treasured memories of holidays in Malta with my family and grandparents. Visiting the Blue Grotto and the Silent City, with long hot summers and sandy beaches.
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Favourite childrens book
My favourite books have to be The Famous Five collection by Enid Blyton.
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Favourite children's film
Toy Story is my favourite children's film.
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Favourite season
Summertime – The warm summer nights and longer days, has to be my favourite time of the year.
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Siblings
I’m the youngest of 2 children.
Emma Louise – Nursery Manager
Having started out volunteering to work with preschool and primary school age, as well as poorly and vulnerable children, I found it so incredibly rewarding I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in childcare. Before joining Burslem Kindergarten I worked at a local primary school with children of all ages, but mainly focusing on the teaching and learning in Key Stage One. I find being with the children so much fun and every day they never fail to make me laugh. My goal is to help and support the children in my care to become independent and confident individuals.
Favourite Childhood Memory
I can vividly recall going on an aeroplane for the first time when I was about 4 years old. I think I was more excited about the flight than the holiday itself!
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Favourite Children’s Book
The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
Favourite Children’s Film
The original Disney’s Jungle Book
Favourite Season
My favourite time of year has to be the summer months for the warmer weather and being able to go on holiday – where possible to my favourite destination Ibiza.
Siblings
I have one younger brother
Megan McDonald – Deputy Nursery Manager
Growing up I always wanted to be involved with helping out with my two younger siblings, which gave me a natural progression in to working with children. I really love watching the children’s imaginations at work when they play, or when they are involved in activities at nursery. It’s great to see how excited the children get when they try new things, it’s such an incredibly rewarding job. We all enjoy getting involved in the messy play with the children, I think it brings out the inner child in all of us!
In my free time I love spending time with my family and partner, going out for meals and going on countryside walks.
Favourite Childhood Memory
Spending weekends with my family at Cannock Chase and Manifold Valley going for long walks, having picnics and paddling in streams.
Favourite Children’s Book
‘The Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton
Favourite Children’s Film
The Little Mermaid
Favourite Season
My favourite season is the summer where I get to enjoy lots of family barbeques and time outside in the warm weather.
Siblings
I’m the second eldest of four children, with two sisters and one brother.
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Emma Higgins – Early Years Practitioner
I have my own family of three beautiful children who are now all grown up. Watching them flourish, grow and become confident in their own skins was definitely the motivation for me to want to work with children in an early years setting.
I particularly enjoy working with the babies and younger children, providing care and ensuring that they feel safe and secure in the nursery environment which I think is so important. I find it really satisfying to be able to watch over time, how the children in our care continually grow and I do feel a sense of pride in the role that I play In helping them to achieve their developmental targets.
When not at work I enjoy nothing more than spending time at home with my family, or heading out for a walk with my two Chihuahuas Minnie and Mickey.
Favourite Childhood Memory
I was very close to my Nan and used to love staying over at her house for the night. She would always make me boiled egg and soldiers in the morning for my breakfast, whenever I make that meal now for either my children or myself, it still reminds me of my Nan.
Favourite Children’s Book
‘The Witches’ by Roald Dahl
Favourite Children’s Film
Mary Poppins
Favourite Season
I do actually love all of the seasons for different reasons, but if I have to pick one it would be winter. To me family is everything, so what could be better than having everyone at home having a cosy night in watching a film together.
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Siblings
I have one brother and one sister.
Michelle Warrilow – Early Years Practitioner
Moving into a career in childcare seemed like a natural step, as coming from a large extended family I was always looking after one of my cousins when I was growing up. I find it so rewarding to watch the children in our care learn and progress in what they can achieve.
Outside of work for me it’s all about family, spending time with my son and stepdaughter, whether that’s going for local walks or days out.
Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite memory is at Christmas time being at my Nan’s house with all of my family, having fun and making lots of noise on her karaoke machine.
Favourite Children’s Book
‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ by Roald Dahl
Favourite Children’s Film
The original Disney Aladdin film
Favourite Season
It has to be autumn, when the nights start drawing in and there’s the anticipation and excitement of Christmas being just around the corner.
Siblings
I’m the middle child of three siblings, with an older brother and a younger sister.
Michelle Wright – Early Years Practitioner
I started my career in childcare and education aged 16 and have worked in both nurseries and schools with early years age children. I have always found what I do incredibly rewarding through seeing the children in my care develop and grow. I love getting to know the individual and unique characters of each child and to see them grow and develop through the planned activities that they participate in while at nursery.
Favourite Childhood Memory
I have very happy memories of family holidays at our caravan in Wales, we’d have great fun spending days on the beach making sandcastles, having picnics and going crabbing. We also spent a lot of time in the Peak District and I today still love visiting places like Buxton and Bakewell.
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Favourite Children’s Book
The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
Favourite Children’s Film
Disney’s the Little Mermaid
Favourite Season
The summer time so that I can spend time outside in the sunshine.
Siblings
I have a younger brother and sister.
Jade Duckers – Early Years Practitioner
I knew instinctively from a very early age that I wanted to pursue a career in childcare. I enjoy working with children of all ages and love that they all have their own unique personalities. I find it incredibly fulfilling helping the children in our care to learn, develop and grow.
My spare time is all about my young family as I have two young girls, doing everything that I can to give them the best possible fun and happy life.
Favourite Childhood Memory
It would have to be being part of a dance troupe when I was growing up which I absolutely loved! I used to attend competitions every Sunday, which was great fun, and I’ve got lots of happy memories of spending weekends away with the other girls at dance events.
Favourite Children’s Book
‘Guess How Much I Love You’ by Sam McBratney
Favourite Children’s Film
Beauty and the Beast
Favourite Season
The sunshine definitely makes me feel happy so it would have to be the summer time. I love that I have months of planning day trips out with my family, whether that’s to the seaside, enjoying days at the park having picnics and just being able to spend lots of time outside with my children.
Siblings
I have one brother and three step sisters.
Charlotte Campbell – Early Years Practitioner
Having a career in early years education is something that I gravitated naturally towards in later life. Even though I studied childcare at college I’ve worked in many different roles including retail and caring for the elderly before I started to work full time with children. Throughout my life I’ve found that I have always taken on a motherly role, helping to care for my cousins when I was younger and then later on my nieces and nephews. And of course I am now a mum myself. I believe that there is nothing more important than providing children with love and to create an environment where they feel cared for to give them the best possible start in life.
Favourite Childhood Memory
When I was a little girl I used to spend a lot of time with my great aunty and uncle both of whom I was incredibly fond of. I used to have great fun mimicking my uncle by dressing up in his big coat and spectacles and pretending to be him. It became my favourite party trick and I think I managed to do a pretty good impression of him, even managing to take off his voice and saying “hello chick” just like he did.
Favourite Children’s Book
Animal Magic by Cherie Zamazing
Favourite Children’s Film
Disney’s Soul or Lion King
Favourite Season
It is without doubt the Summer as I love everything about it – the warmer weather, spending more time outside, enjoying ice lollies and trips to the beach.
Siblings
I’m the youngest of four children.
Tyler Smith – Early Years Practitioner
My career in childcare started when I was aged just 14 when I undertook a voluntary work placement at a local nursery. I loved it that much that I returned to work at the nursery again in the school holidays. Having decided that I wanted to work in the early years field I chose to study a National Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development at college and after graduating gained invaluable experience working at several local nurseries. I find it so rewarding seeing children progress through each of the rooms at the nursery, where they get to learn lots of new skills to prepare them for their next step in joining primary school.
Favourite Childhood Memory
When I was very young I enjoyed lots of holidays with my whole family in Blackpool, I particularly loved that my nan and grandad were with us. Whenever I look back at any photos of these holidays they bring back such wonderful memories of happy family times.
Favourite Children’s Book
Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
Favourite Children’s Film
Home Alone
Favourite Season
My favourite season would have to be summer as there is so much more opportunity to be able to enjoy yourself outside, going on long walks, taking day trips and eating ice cream.
Sumaira Malik – Early Years Practitioner
As I was the eldest child and my Mum was a single parent, I always helped out with looking after my younger brothers and sister. Then when I had my own children I was asked by my eldest son’s reception teacher if I could help out at his school as his reading was so good, so that I could help the other children in develop their reading skills. This experience prompted my decision to study Early Years at college which led me to my position at Burslem Kindergarten following on from a successful work placement here. I truly believe that every child is unique and I love engaging with the children here at the nursery and hearing their thoughts. It always amazes me how quickly children grow and develop their skills which makes this job so incredibly rewarding.
Favourite Childhood Memory
I have a big family so it was fantastic when we all got together to celebrate festivals such as Eid, this would always be at my grandparents house where along with my brothers and sisters we’d get to play with all of our cousins.
Favourite Children’s Book and Film
Disney’s The Lion King
Favourite Season
My favourite time of year would have to be autumn as for me the weather is just right, not too hot and not too cold - just perfect for cosy nights in the house in front of the fire. I also think that the colours of Autumn are beautiful.
Siblings
I’m the eldest of five children, I have three brothers and one sister.
Daisy Mae Finney - Early Years Practitioner
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I started my career within a childcare setting aged seventeen whilst I was at college. I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in childcare, so this has always been my dream job as I’m able to watch the children in my care grow and develop. As soon as I set foot into a nursery I knew that this was what I wanted to do. Working in childcare is one of the most rewarding jobs, watching the smiles on the children’s faces as they are having fun and being able to be a part of that is the best feeling. I love that I am helping the children develop and teaching them new things so that they are ready for their next step in life. It’s rewarding to see the unique characteristics in each child and watching their confidence grow as they become more independent.
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Favourite memory
When I was younger I’d visit my nan and grandads house a lot as they looked after me whilst my parents were at work, my nan would make homemade meat and potato pies and when she wasn’t looking I’d always sneak a little bit and eat it. Now whenever I eat her pies it always takes me back to that moment when I was younger. I’d also visit my other nan often and my cousin and I would sneak packets of jelly from her cupboard, my nan would catch us sniggering in the kitchen whilst eating the jelly.
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Favourite childrens book
Matilda by Roald Dahl.
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Favourite childrens film
The Story of Tracey Beaker or Hannah Montana.
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Favourite season
My favourite season is definitely winter, I love being cosy in the house, settling down with my family and my dog to watch a movie with a lovely mug of hot chocolate.
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Siblings
I am the youngest of three, I have a stepsister and a stepbrother.
Sarah Chapman - Early Years Practitioner
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Whilst growing up I had always wanted a little sister and at the age of fifteen finally my little sister was born. I loved getting involved in caring for her and my younger cousins too and particularly enjoyed taking them out on day trips; this experience definitely influenced my chosen career path. When I left school I started my A levels at college, however after a year I switched to a childcare course as I got to do placements in local nurseries and enjoyed the opportunity to be hands on with the children.
There are many aspects to my role that I enjoy, particularly seeing the children’s different personalities grow, watching them learn and discover new things, and of course seeing their smiling faces. There is always something new for the children to achieve and the variety within my role is great.
I have two daughters of my own and we have a house rabbit called Pepper (named after Peppa Pig). I enjoy taking my girls on day trips to places we can explore, and they can enjoy the great outdoors which I think is essential for young children’s development.
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Favourite childhood memory
It has to be pretending I was Maria from the sound of music running in and out of the trees in Newcastle market whilst singing 'the hills are alive with the sound of music'.
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Favourite childrens book
Tracey Beaker by Jaqueline Wilson
Favourite childrens film
The Sound of Music
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Favourite season
My children and I like to spend time together outdoors enjoying the sunshine, so summer has to be my favourite season. For me it signifies time for family fun and creating new family memories on our holidays.
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Siblings
I’m the eldest of three children, I have a half-sister and a stepsister.
Lucy Elliott – Early Years Practitioner
I've always enjoyed being around children and I've always been the one involved with the younger children in the family, always happy to help out with them. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do when I left school but working in a nursery was always in the back of my mind. My family always said I would be the one to work with children & once I started working within The Kindergarten Group I quickly realised that childcare was my true passion. In my free time I enjoy going out on walks, going out for meals and spending time with my family.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory is when we got our family dog, 'Sandy' he's been my best friend since the day we bought him home. I love taking him on walks.
Favourite Children’s Film
It would have to be Moana.
Favourite Children’s Book
My favourite childhood book is 'Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose' by Julia Donaldson.
Favourite Season
Definitely summer time because of the warmer weather and the sun is out meaning that you can spend so much more time outside. I also do enjoy winter when it snows.
Siblings
I am the oldest of three and have two younger sisters.
Skye Yoxall - Early Years Practitioner
I wanted to work in a nursery setting because caring for others is important to me. I’ve always loved looking after my younger cousins and the children of family friends so it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m very family orientated, I have other family members who work in a care setting and I feel we all put ourselves before others. I have also had some experience caring for the elderly which I also really enjoyed; however, it was also sad as they are often severely ill. I really love working in the nursery it’s a fun job combined with helping little ones learn new skills. Helping other’s is just the job for me!
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Favourite Childhood Memory
One of my most favourite memories was when I was around 11 years old and my parents surprised my siblings and I with a surprise trip to Paris with around twenty of our extended family members. It was in October around Halloween and my mum had made me and my sisters a Disney book each so that we could get the signatures from the Disney characters when we watched the parade. It really was a magical experience and a memory that will stay with me forever. We also got to see the Eiffel Tower.
Favourite childrens book
Matilda by Roald Dahl
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Favourite childrens film
I loved The Princess and the Frog.
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Favourite season
I love the summer as we take our annual family holiday to Greece each year in July or August. It’s the only time of year that we all take time off to be together and we get to create memories that we treasure.
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Siblings
I have two sisters and I’m the middle child.
Georgia Tyrer - Early Years Practitioner
Having a big family meant that I was always looking after and helping out younger family members. During High-school, I also started babysitting for a family of 5 young children. Since I was younger I always knew that I wanted to work with children. All of this made childcare a natural choice for me and I instantly knew that it is a job that I would love. I feel that this has a huge impact on the work environment and impacts the growth and development of the children. Outside of work I enjoy being with family, friends, and my boyfriend. I also enjoy listening to music when going on walks, watching movies and also shopping.
Favourite childhood memory
My favourite childhood memory would be when my little brother was born. I was 8 years old and my whole class and I made congratulation cards for my mum. I specifically remember using blue card and drawing her with my brother in a pushchair.
Favourite children’s book
The tiger who came to tea, by Judith Kerr
Were going on a bear hunt, by Michael Rosen
Favourite children’s film
Tinker-bell
Brave
Favourite season
My favourite season is spring because the flowers begin to blossom, animals all come out of hibernation, the days get longer and also warmer, meaning we can go outside more.
Siblings
I have 17 siblings altogether! I have 8 sisters and 9 brothers. 8 of the siblings are younger than me, and 9 are older than me. My youngest sibling is 7 and my oldest sibling is 26 years old. I know it seems confusing but once you hear the whole story, it makes a lot more sense.​
Kelly Deery – Catering Manager
I began my catering career at the age of 21, Working from a Comi Chef up to a Soux Chef at Hoarcross Hall, where I worked for 10 years. I am a very proud mother to 1 boy, this is why I started working at primary schools so I could spend more time with my son. I love cooking but mostly enjoy baking birthday cakes where I can be creative.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
Going to Tunstall park with my dad has to be one of my favourite memories. I Loved the witches hat and the huge slide! We would stop off for a drink and bag of crisps on the way home.
Favourite Children’s Book
The BFG.
Favourite Children’s Film
Wizard of OZ is my favourite children's film, it was played every Christmas when I was a child.
Favourite Season
I love the summer as for me that means it’s holiday time, long sunny days and lighter nights.
Siblings
I am the youngest of 3 children.