​Newcastle Kindergarten
Newcastle Kindergarten opened in January 2024. Situated in the heart of the community we accept children from 8 weeks – 5 years across our three spacious and well-equipped classrooms all providing direct access to our fantastic outdoor area. With a designated outdoor space for our youngest babies to our vast playground for our toddlers and preschool children. This wonderful environment enables all of our children to explore the natural world and observe the changes of the seasons whilst getting the vital daily exercise and fresh air that all children need. Situated within the Newcastle Family Hub enables us to signpost our children and families to a range of local services so that they can access the services they need at the earliest opportunity.
Newcastle Kindergarten offers a holiday club for children aged 3-11 years throughout the whole of the Newcastle district. The Kindergarten feeds to all of the primary schools in the Newcastle area as well as some further afield as parents travel from a wide geographical area to access childcare at our setting.
All of the children’s meals are prepared fresh, each day on-site by the nursery’s Catering Manager.
The nursery benefits from having onsite 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.
Ursula Holdcroft - Early Education, Quality and Practice Lead
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I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work with children and I followed this career path as soon as I left school. I spent the first part of my working life working in Social Services Day Nurseries across North Staffordshire. I enjoyed working closely with children and their families to offer individual support to help all children achieve their full potential. Within this role I also enjoyed running parenting workshops and really value the partnership between parents and practitioners and the difference this can make to a child’s long-term outcomes.  
My next role was as a Nursery & Wraparound Care Manager within a Staffordshire primary school. Within this role I was very proud to work alongside my whole team to achieve consistent outstanding grades with Ofsted. In addition to my management role, I have also supported the Department for Education as an Area Lead and Expert on the Covid Recovery Programme. This role enabled me to support a range of setting and early years practitioners across the West Midlands. In my personal life I am happily married and the proud mum of three boys, I also have a dog called Dexter. When not at work I really enjoy walking, camping and spending time with my family.
Favourite Childhood Memory
One Christmas morning waking up to find Santa had left me burgundy and white striped roller skates which I was absolutely desperate for; I NEVER took them off my feet.
Favourite Children’s Book
‘Guess How Much I Love You’. by Sam McBratney.
Because I use to read this to my boys when they were little.
Favourite Children’s Film
Home Alone
Favourite Season 
Winter, because I absolutely love to feel the cold on my face but being wrapped up warm to walk my dog in his little coat. I also love the build up and anticipation of Christmas with my extended family.
Siblings
I am the eldest of two and have one younger sister.
Clare Devine – Nursery Manager
From a young age I loved to care for children and couldn’t wait to have children have my own. Having raised my own three boys, I began my career in early years education. Having been an Outstanding Childminder when my boys were small, I continued my professional development in a school nursery and reception setting. During this time, I completed a degree in Early Childhood Development and learnt a wealth of knowledge from a variety of professionals. I have continued my own education in Psychology with Early Childhood Attachments and experience being my interest. I love to learn. I live with my Husband, my younger sons and my Dog Loki.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
As I child I loved to spend time with my Grandma at weekends. I would enjoy sharing many experiences with her from shopping to playing cards and even learning how to iron.​
Favourite Children’s Book
All of the Julia Donaldson collection, I particularly love ‘Monkey Puzzle’ and the ‘Flum Flum Tree’.
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Favourite Children’s Film
‘Finding Nemo’​ this is a great film.
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Favourite Season
I love autumn, it provides endless resources for learning and is a lovely time to get outside and observe the changes that take place in the world around us, its truly is a beautiful time of the year.
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Siblings
I come from a blended family and I am the youngest of six.
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Crystal Johnson - Early Years Practitioner
For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to work with children as I am a very caring person. I love watching and helping the children to grow
and develop and when I see how happy the children are in my care I know I have done a good job. What I love most about this job is that no day is the same and I love to get creative and messy with the children as well as helping them to learn new skills. I am a very outdoorsy person and love going on hikes with my husband and my little dog . The Peak District is one of my favourite places to walk. I also love a good holiday and experiencing different cultures.
Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory is all the amazing holidays my mum and dad used to take me and my younger sister on.
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Favourite Children's Book
Favourite childhood book Hansel and Gretel or anything by Roald Dahl.
Favourite Children's Film
The Lion King
Favourite Season
My favourite season is summer. I love to spend as much time outside
in the sun having barbecues, walking, camping, going to the beach, watching sunsets and exploring. Although I do also love Autumn too.
Siblings
I have one younger sister and two half sisters and one half brother who are all older than me.
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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 Children's Book
Tracey Beaker by Jaqueline Wilson
Favourite Children's 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.
Dianne Knott - Early Years Practitioner
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I have worked for over twenty seven years in school meals working my way up to head chef. I have worked at a primary school and also at a high school for special educational needs children. I have three grown up children and I have also been a long-term foster carer for a little boy who had special needs, I did this for over ten years. I’ve also worked in adult social care both with the local authority and the NHS. I've always been motivated to work in this sector and . after giving up fostering my life was quiet without the presence of children in it. Outside of work I like walking my dog Duke and also going to my caravan which is situated near to Skegness.
Favourite Childhood Memory
I can always remember going a caravan to Rhyl in North Wales, and spending time playing on the beach and in the sea, and always coming home with a Welsh ladies hat.
Favourite Children's Film
Disney’s animated Beauty and the Beast
Favourite Children's Book
Far Away Tree by Enid Blyton
Favourite Season
Summer because I can spend time at my caravan and on the beach with my dog Duke who loves to run on the sand.
Sibling
I have a sister who is four years older than me.
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Sadie Bradbury - Early Years Practitioner
I completed my Level three in early years through collage and went on to numerous placements in nursery's and schools. I knew instantly that I wanted to work with young children because I love watching them develop and gain their own little characters and personalities. I have always been told from a young age that I am a natural with children and was often asked to look after the children of family and friends. Being around children its a very rewarding job, seeing their faces when they have learned something new.
Favourite Children's Memory
I loved family holidays as a child. Being around the pool with my cousins and spending quality time with my family.
Favourite Children's Book
Elmer the Elephant
Favourite Children's Film
The Lion King is my all time favourite film
Favourite Season
I love summer, the summer sunshine, and the longer days.
Siblings
I have one older bother and one younger step sister.
Lisa Barnett - Early Years Practitioner
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I started my career in elderly care, but when my first son was born I gave up work to be a full time mum, I now have three boys. When returning to work I decided to retrain and make the decision to work with children, something I had always wanted to do. I went back to college and volunteered at a primary school whilst at the same time training to support my college education. Once qualified I decided to become an Ofsted registered childminder, which I did for eight years, embracing a Pedagogy of Hygge, Wanderlust a child's nature study and Reggio Emile approach. An approach that suited my love of all things nature. In 2022, after having the best cohort of children in my setting I decided to make a change and work in a nursery setting.
Favourite Childhood Memory
Staying with my grandparents at weekends and school holidays. My grandparents taught me about wildlife, flowers and the stars. That's where my love of nature comes from.
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Favourite Children's Book
The Magic Far Away Tree by Enid Blyton
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Favourite Children's Film
The Sound of Music and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
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Favourite Season
I love Autumn and Spring.
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Siblings
I am the oldest child, I have two younger brothers.
Megan McDonald - Early Years Practitioner
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, 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.
Faith Barker - Early Years Practitioner Apprentice
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I never thought I would be so passionate about working with children until my little brother Hunter and little sister Waverley-Grace came along, I instantly fell in love!​ Helping their curious minds grow and discover the environment around them is so rewarding as a big sister, I knew then this field of work is what I am built for. I'm also very passionate about animals, I have two reptiles a Tortoise called Oogway and a Leopard Gecko called Smaug. I've had lots of different furry and scaley companions over the years and I cant imagine life without them!
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Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory would be when I was eight years old, my dad would take me and my siblings to Longton Park to play hockey on our roller skates. We would all play for hours, often with a lot of bickering, but its my favourite sport and memories I will cherish forever.
My Favourite Children's Book
My favourite book would certainly be the Gruffalo! One year for World Book Day, I dressed up as the Gruffalo using a cardboard box and lots of paint.
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Favourite Children's Film
For as long as I can remember, The Little Mermaid has always been my favourite childhood film. I Knew (and still do) all the songs, and this is where my love for the sea and all its creatures sparked from!
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Favourite Season
My favourite season is Autumn, I love the colour the leaves turn and find the season beautiful.
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Siblings
I have four siblings, I am the second oldest.
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Amelia Harnett - Early Years Practitioner
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I have always wanted to work with children, from being a child myself. When I was seven my mum had my youngest sister. As I became a bit older I became like a second mum to my sister and loved helping look after her from the day she was born. When I attended college I did a placement in a school which I really enjoyed. I have recently finished at university where I studied psychology and education. This has given me an understanding of the way children develop and learn throughout different ages. I enjoy supporting childrens learning at a variety of ages and seeing how each child has their own individual personality and using this to help with their learning.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory is when my sister and I would stay at my nans house on a Friday night. She would take us swimming and shopping for new toys the Saturday morning. We would also go to a coffee morning and sing songs for the people there, it was a lovely atmosphere.
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Favourite Childhood Book
Five Little Kittens by A J McGregor
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Favourite Film
Shrek is my favourite film.
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Favourite Season
Summer, I love spending time outside and going for walks in the countryside.
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Siblings
I have two younger sisters, I am the oldest.
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Alice Rowley - Early Years Practitioner​
I’ve always wanted to work with children, I’m the eldest of my cousins and brother so growing up I loved looking after them all and bossing them about. Outside of work I like helping my Nana with the gardening, getting my hands dirty weeding and planting new seeds to watch them grow in the summer months.
Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory is going to Wales for weekends away, we had lots of fun!​
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Favourite Children's Book
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Favourite Children's Film
Tinker Belle
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Favourite Season
My favourite season is spring, I love to see the new life beginning outside as the flowers start to bud and the days get longer.
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Siblings
I have a younger brother who is five years younger than me.​​
Blake Greenwell - Early Years Practitioner
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With two lovely children of my own, now growing up, I decided to take the childcare route and I am really happy that I did! I'm really enjoying my time at The Kindergarten, I love to see the childrens different personalities and smiley faces when they walk through the door in the morning. Its a great feeling to be able to give them a good foundation to start their learning journeys. Outside of work I have a massive love for music. I have my own recording studio where my two children love to record their favourite songs. In 2015 I was lucky enough to earn myself a place on Stars in Their Eyes!​
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Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory is Christmas morning, opening my presents, especially my Thunder Cats figures! I still remember the smell of the boxes when I opened them.
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Favourite Childrens Book
My favourite book is Brum by Alan Dapre
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Favourite Childrens Film
My favourite childrens film is Flight of the Navigator.
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Favourite Season​
Winter is my favourite season, I love the smell of a real Christmas Tree and the cosy nights when the weather is frosty.
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Siblings
I am the youngest child of 4 children, I have 1 older brother and 2 older sisters.
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Emma Meek - Catering Manager
I grew up as an only child and started my family young. I am a mother to five boys, ranging from four to twenty-five. I love sport, especially football, Rugby and Darts, which is not surprising with a house full of boys! I adore working with children and find catering for the the nursery especially rewarding. I love to see their little faces light up when the meals are served. In my spare time I enjoy a variety of sports and outdoor activities.​​
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Favourite Childhood Memory
Getting my first pet dog is my favourite childhood memory. He was a big soft Labrador just like the Andrex puppy.
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Favourite Childrens Book
BFG by Roald Dahl
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Favourite Childrens Film
My favourite film is Scuffy, this was the first film I received for Christmas.
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Favourite Season
Summer is my favourite season, I love the long days and warm summer nights, just perfect for the outdoor sports and activities that I love.
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Siblings
I am on only child.
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