Cheadle Kindergarten
Cheadle Kindergarten is a private nursery situated within the grounds of Cheadle Primary School. The kindergarten can accommodate up to forty-five children, providing childcare for pre-school aged children, as well as offering before and after school care for children that attend Cheadle Primary School. The kindergarten feeds into all of the primary schools within the Cheadle area.
The nursery benefits from its close proximity to the primary school through being able to make use of some of the school’s facilities, including their sports field and forest school area that allows our children to have their very own Sports Day.
Through the close links that have been fostered between the two establishments, the children at our kindergarten are regularly invited to attend community events and participate in activities organised by the school including carol services and theatre groups.
All of the children’s meals are prepared fresh, each day on-site by the nursery’s Catering Manager.
The nursery benefits from having on site parking.
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
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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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Michelle Greenwell - Nursery Manager
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My Mum is incredibly maternal and has always been a great role model to me. She definitely had an influence on my decision to pursue a career working with children, as she showed me the value of how investing time and love in to children, can have such a positive impact on their development. I started my career in childcare by studying at a local college and through training in a primary school. I have lots of experience working with children of all primary school ages including nursery. I have loved the opportunity to work within every year group right up to year six and have been fortunate enough to see the difference that the right start can make to children’s future life chances.
I absolutely love being able to play a part in helping children develop their skills while growing into strong minded young people. I’m really creative, so I relish any opportunity to introduce fun and arty activities for the children to take part in, from painting and drawing to messy play and making things. I thrive on the fact that every day in the nursery is different – but of course always fun!
Favourite Childhood Memory
I’ll never forget the time that my Dad took my brother and I for a trip to the Roaches which was one of our favourite spots for a day trip. My Dad even took along our wendy house which he set up so that we could sit in it and enjoy a picnic. I’ve since visited the Roaches many times with my own family as it will always have a special place in my heart.
Favourite Children’s Book
“The Faraway Tree” by Enid Blyton.
Favourite Children’s Film
The Goonies.
Favourite Season
My favourite time of year has to be Autumn, with how the change of season brings with it all of the changing colours of the leaves. For me it’s the best time of the year to get outside and enjoy walks or even a drive in the countryside.
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Siblings
I have one older brother.
Sharna Sheldon – Deputy Nursery Manager
From an early age I’ve always known that I wanted to work with children, when I was growing up I used to love it when my younger cousins came round to visit and I’d get to spend time with them. In my role at the nursery I really enjoy coming up with new ideas for activities to do with the children, then watching them taking part and seeing what they learn from it. I think it’s lovely when the children have participated in craft and artwork activities while at nursery, which they are always so proud to then take home and show off. It’s always great being able to get outside and playing with the children, which we try and do every day no matter what the weather.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
When I was about five years old I went on my first family holiday to Disney Land in Florida and I remember seeing Minnie and Mickey Mouse, running up to them and giving them lots of hugs. I’ve been back to Disney Land and Florida many times and it’s actually become one of my favourite places to visit.
Favourite Children’s Book
I love all of Road Dahl’s books.
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Favourite Children’s Film
Ratatouille.
Favourite Season
It has to be the summer time because I much prefer the warmer weather, I find that the sunshine always puts a smile on my face.
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Siblings
I have one younger brother.
Shannon Carr - Early Years Practitioner
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I find working with young people incredibly rewarding, I’ve always really enjoyed being with children and instinctively knew that a career in childcare was the right path for me. I love being able to watch each and every child that is in our care, grow, develop and reach their own milestones. I particular enjoy all of the creative activities that we do with the children as we get to have lots of fun too, whether that’s with painting, sensory trays or making things to fit with our planned topics.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memories would have to be the regular trips to Llandudno that I enjoyed with my family for many years. I loved everything about being at the seaside, but I particularly remember how much fun the pier was with all of the arcades and of course ice cream stalls!
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Favourite Children’s Book
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle.
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Favourite Children’s Film
I love all the Disney films but if I had to pick a favourite it would be Beauty and the Beast.
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Favourite Season
I much prefer the warm weather so it would have to be the summer.
Siblings
I have one younger brother.
Upamali Tilakarathna - Early Years Practitioner
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I'm from Sri lanka. I have been surrounded with my sibilings and cousins and always helped to look after them. It has led me to work within the early years sector, I have a passion for teaching & starting children's early years journey in the best possible way. I have experience working with children since 2012 in the UK. I really enjoy working in early years settings and ensuring everybody has a secure and safe environment. Outside of work I really enjoy traveling with my husband and 2 daughters and interior design.
Favourite Childhood Memory
Playing cricket with my friends in the garden. This was my favourite thing to do after school and during the school holidays.
Favourite Children's Book
Cinderella.
Favourite Children's Film
Tangled.
Favourite Season
Autumn and winter. I really enjoy Autumn colours and being cosy in winter time.
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Siblings
I have 1 brother and 1 sister, I am the eldest.
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Janette Preston - Early Years Practitioner
I came into the industry later on in life, after running my own children’s clothing brand for the last 8 years. I have 2 children Margaux and Leonard, I always admired the bond they had with nursery staff and I saw the impact and importance the early years setting had on their life and it was something that I wanted to be apart of for other children as well.
When the opportunity arose to join the kindergarten team I jumped at the chance. I have a BA Hons degree in art and I love coming up with creative ideas that the children can join in on and be proud of. Outside of work I love crocheting and sewing making lots of clothes and toys for my children. I also have a husband Mike and a dog called Mavis, full name - Mavis hotel Transylvania Preston.
Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory would be my first skiing holiday in Austria, my uncle had recently moved to Austria and started a family so we went to visit over the Christmas period. I learnt how to snowboard and had never seen so much snow before.
Favourite Children's Book
The BFG - Roald Dahl.
Favourite Children's Film
The Sound of Music.
Favourite season
Winter is my favourite season, I love to go on wintery walks. The excitement around Christmas time with my whole family is amazing.
Siblings
I have an older brother and a younger sister.
Nikita Keeling - Early Years Practitioner
I have always enjoyed being around children, I have a lot of nieces and nephews and would always enjoy being around them, feeding them bottles and even changing nappies, children always have a way of making things a lot better I think.
Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory would be from when I was turning 5 years old and my mum and dad organised a birthday party for me with a bouncy castled and loads of games and food, even a BBQ, even though I had broken my leg it was still a great day.
Favourite Children's Book
My favourite book is 'Guess how much I love you', which is a story I read to my two children.
Favourite Children's Film
My favourite childhood film is 100% the lion king, I adored that film and still do now.
Favourite Season
My favourite season is summer, I love the hot weather and being able to be outside all day and enjoy the sun, it makes me 100 times happier.
Siblings
I have 5 siblings, 2 brothers who are both older then me and 3 sisters, two older, 1 younger.
Lauren Slater - Early Years Practitioner
I have worked in different sectors over the years, working in a local primary school as a teaching assistant which I found very rewarding. When the opportunity came up to work at Cheadle Kindergarten I knew it was going to be the right choice for me. I love being able to learn the children new things and see how proud they are of themselves. I love the outdoor play, getting muddy in the puddles! Outside of work I love to spend time with my family, I have 3 children. We love taking our dogs across the fields to play by the river.
Favourite Childhood Memory
Family holidays with have to be my favourite memories, going abroad with the whole family!
Favourite Children's Book
Stickman and The Gruffalo.
Favourite Children's Film
I love all Disney films, my favourites are Frozen and Mona.
Favourite Season
Autumn and Winter are my favourite seasons. I love Halloween and Bonfire night with my children and then the lead up to Christmas.
Siblings
I have 2 older sisters.
Shannon Morton - Early Years Practitioner
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​​I knew working with children was for me about 3 years ago when my step niece was born. I felt that being around her was exciting and watching her learn and understand things, this is what made me think that working with kids is something I wanted to try, and I'm so glad I did because I now absolutely love it. I love seeing my friends and being out of the house, being social is what means a lot to me. I love listening to music and I also love to go to theme parks especially Alton Towers.
Favourite Memory
My favoured memory is going to Knowsley Safari Park with my dad and brothers. Animals have always been a big part of my life so to see a wider range of them was just something I loved. I especially love elephants and lions and seeing them was definitely my favourite part.
Favourite Children's Book
Naughty Jane.
Favourite Children's Film
Cars.
Favourite Season
Summer is the best season! I love listening to music in the sunshine.
Siblings
I have an older sister and brother and one younger brother.
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Katie Brandrick – Catering Manager
I’ve always loved food - both cooking and eating it! Having a career in catering was therefore a very natural step. I still really enjoy experimenting with new flavours and recipes in the meals that I prepare. Working in a nursery setting is such a lovely environment to work in as it’s so rewarding to see the children enjoy the food that I make for them.
I originally come from the Wirral and I’m proud to say that I’m a life long fan of Liverpool Football Club.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
When I was a little girl, I had my heart set on a pair of Cinderella style shoes that were in the window of a shop that I walked past every day. I was really hoping to get them for as a present for my birthday, but a few days before I was so upset to see that they had gone. When my birthday arrived, I was absolutely thrilled to find that that my sister had actually bought me the slippers - which was the loveliest surprise.
Favourite Children’s Book
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.
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Favourite Children’s Film
Mary Poppins.
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Favourite Season
My favourite season is the springtime, with the first signs of new beginnings and the anticipation of the summer ahead.