Biddulph Kindergarten

Biddulph Kindergarten opened in January 2024 offering full day care for children aged 8 weeks – 5 years. We have four spacious and well-equipped classrooms and exceptional outdoor spaces including a designated baby area. All children access outdoor play every day at Biddulph Kindergarten providing our children with the opportunity for fresh area and an appreciation of the natural world as it changes through the seasons. We work in close partnership with the Family Hub in order to ensure that the children and families within our setting can access the local services they might need at the earliest opportunity.

Biddulph Kindergarten also offers Before and After School Club for children attending Kingsfield First School and holiday club for children aged 3-11 years throughout the whole of the Biddulph area. The kindergarten feeds to all of the primary schools in the Biddulph area.

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.

Ofsted Report

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

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.

Laura Young – Nursery Manager

I am a mum of two wonderful children and three fur babies, one dog and two cats. When not at work I enjoy days out with my family making lots of fun memories, I also enjoy family walks with our dog and going to see extended family. I have worked in childcare since I left college after doing my NNEB and have twenty three years experience with children from birth to nine years of age. I have worked in a couple of settings working my way up from a nursery nurse to nursery manager and completing my foundation degree and BA honours in Early Childhood Studies and more recently have achieved a level three SENCO award. As a nursery manager I am passionate about being hands on and supporting my staff, watching the children learn and grow and building strong relationships with the parents. I am also proud to have joined new teams and to have worked with them to improve nursery practice in a positive way and increasing occupancy. I feel working with children is really rewarding, watching them progress and learn and seeing them develop into their own characters.

Favourite Childhood Memory

My favourite childhood memory is when we went away on family holidays to Dorset in our static caravan with my Nanny and Grandpa. We enjoyed lots of lovely days out at the seaside with plenty of crabbing and lots of lovely evenings enjoying delicious BBQ foods.

Favourite Children's book

Monkey Puzzle by Julia Donaldson

Favourite Children's Film

The Lion King

Favourite Season

My favourite season is Winter time when we decorate the house all cozy and warm for Christmas with lots of family favourite Christmas films and a warm hot chocolate snuggled up with a nice biscuit or two.

Siblings

I am the second child of three, I have an older half sister and a younger brother.

Charlotte Bateman - Deputy Nursery Manager

Hello! I’m Charlotte and I’m super excited to be joining the Kindergarten Group. I have been a primary school teacher for ten years and worked in lots of different settings with a range of different age groups. I even had a short stint of working in an international school in a beautiful area of Germany. I have a twenty one month old little girl called Minnie and we love dancing and crafting together. From as young as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher and used to teach my teddies whilst they sat all nicely lined up on my bed. I had some fantastic teachers who inspired me and developed my love of learning from a young age.

Favourite Childhood Memory
Every summer from aged five up to aged twelve, I used to go to Blackpool for a week with my great auntie and uncle. I would save my pocket money all year round and use it to buy new clothes and shoes which I would then parade around the hotel in the evenings. It was a real highlight when we went to watch the circus and hot ice show!

Favourite Children's Book
I absolutely adored non-fiction books growing up and would read encyclopaedias cover to cover. There are too many gorgeous books to choose from but I adore the Rainbow Fish and the lesson it shares.

Favourite Children's Film
Jungle book has and always will be a firm favourite. Who doesn’t want to dance to the bare necessities?!

Favourite Season
My birthday is in summer and I am happiest when the sun is shining!

Siblings
I am the big sister of two younger brothers.

Annette Hill - Early Years Practitioner

I have recently become a grandmother to Oliver who is now six months old. I have worked in early years for twenty three years now, the part of the job I love the most is getting to know the children and their personalities. I also love getting to know their families and watching the children learn and develop. Its a very rewarding role, as I watch the children flourish and develop!

Favourite Childhood Memory

Holidays with the family have to be the best memories. We would go in a caravan to Blackpool when we were kids and have some great family holidays there.

Favourite Children's Book

Enid Blyton – The Magic Far Away Tree

Favourite Children's Film

Little Woman

Favourite Season

Autumn is my favourite time of the year as its very colourful and cosy.

Siblings

I have a sister who is older than me and a brother who is younger than me. I am the middle child.

Chris Morris – Early Years Practitioner

I have fifteen years experience working in a childcare nursery setting with a variety of knowledge behind me working with children aged six months to five years, working mostly with children between two and five years of age. I always wanted to work within childcare, I used to baby sit for family friends before going into the profession, I enjoy looking after and watching children flourish and grow, meeting their milestones and have always found children to be funny and full of character with the little sayings they come out with. I’m a big kid at heart and love to get involved in the various activities that I provide whether that be taking part in sensory/messy play experiences or making the children laugh through role play characters and making characters in stories sound funny.

At home I enjoy my time with my Fiancée Laura and our two wonderful children. We like to spend quality time together and a good favourite is cuddling up watching a family movie with popcorn and nibbles in hand. We also love time with our fur babies, we have a dog who is very bouncy and full of character and two cats.

Favourite Childhood Memory

My favourite childhood memory is at Christmas time, my nana came every Christmas Eve to stay overnight and to stuff the turkey and prep the vegetables. I remember I would sit and watch my mum and nana get all the food ready for Christmas Day while snacking on some treats.

Favourite Children’s Book

My favourite children’s book is by Julia Donaldson I am a huge fan of her books and often enjoy reading her stories to the children. I enjoy them all and cant choose just one but my first choices out of these would be “Tiddler the story telling fish”, “The Smartest Giant in Town’ and “Zog”.

Favourite Children’s Film

My favourite children’s film is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Lumière was my favourite character.

My Favourite Season

My favourite season is winter time with all the excitement leading up to Christmas.

Siblings

I am an only child.

Jade Vardy - Early Years Practitioner

I enjoy helping children learn through play and watching them grow and develop. I have worked in childcare for many years and I love nothing more than providing the children with varied activities in order for them to achieve and learn through play! The messy play is great fun and I love getting stuck in. I love to travel and go on as many family holidays as possible.

Favourite Childhood Memory
Family summer holidays are a favourite memory of mine, spending the holidays with my family in the sunshine.

Favourite Children's Book

The Wizard of Oz

Favourite Children's Film
The Grinch has to be my favourite film, its such a good Christmas time film.

Favourite Season
Summer is my favourite season when the warmer weather comes and the light nights are here.

Siblings
I have two sisters, I am the middle child.

Joanne Mosson - Early years Practitioner

I always knew from an early age that I wanted to work with children, so when I left school I studied Childcare and Education at my local college. Its such a special and privileged role helping the children in your care to grow and flourish. As well as working in nurseries I’ve also regularly volunteered at the school my children attend, whether that be listening to the children reading, assisting swimming lessons or going on trips with them. I have three children of my own.

Outside of work I am usually kept very busy with my children and their activities, dance, Taekwondo and swimming to name a few. We love to go for days out to the seaside, we love visiting museums and going on long walks. If I get any spare me time I love to bake cakes, make jams etc and I’m always on the look out for new recipes to try. I love to read too.

Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory was our family holidays to the beach, I loved as a child and still love as an adult to be by the sea.

Favourite Children's Book
We are huge bookworms and we have so many favourite children’s books, our favourite at the minute is Stick Man.

Favourite Children’s Film
My favourite children’s film has to be the new Wonka, we watched it at the cinema and absolutely loved it. We bought it on DVD and have watched it at least once a week since, we are always singing the songs at home.

Favourite Season
My favourite season is spring, I absolutely to see the trees full of blossom and all the flowers bursting into life, lots of animals being born and the lovely spring sunshine and lighter nights.

Siblings
I have two siblings, an older brother and a younger sister.

Rachel Hill - Early Years Practitioner

I have worked in nurseries since I was eighteen and have always known that this was the career that I wanted to do. From a very young age I always said I would need a bus for how many children I wanted when I was older.. from that I knew that working with children would be perfect for me! I have five siblings so our house was always crazy and full of fun and from this it made my decision to take childcare in sixth form easy. After completing my childcare course I went straight into a job in a nursery where I worked for three years and since then I have worked in the nursery I am today! I have one son who is my absolute world and love being a mum and having my own little person to love and care for.

Favourite Childhood Memory
Going down to my nan and grandads caravan with all the family and all sitting around playing games. Also Christmas mornings with my mum and dad and brothers as it was always so magical to see how many presents Santa had brought for us and we would just spend the day playing with all our new things!

Favourite Children's Book
The Gruffalo

Favourite Children's Film
101 Dalmatians

Favourite Season
My favourite season is autumn and all that is celebrated this time of year.. Halloween and Bonfire Night and also my birthday! I love this time of year and going on fresh walks and getting all cosy as the dark cold nights come in.

Siblings
I have five siblings all are boys so I’m the only girl out of six! I am the second oldest.

Samantha Gidman - Early Years Practitioner

After leaving school I went on to do my Level three in Childcare, from there I went to university and progressed up to a Level six. I have always worked with children since leaving university and I really enjoy it, especially watching the children grow and blossom. I have one lovely daughter who is thirteen months old, who I cherish and I love to watch her grow developing her own little character.

Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory was going to the park on the swings and slides making memories with my siblings.

Favourite Children's Book
Were Going on a Bear Hunt

Favourite Children's Film
Polar Express

Favourite Season
My favourite childhood season is winter because I enjoy being cosy and watching my favourite film.

Siblings
I am the youngest of eight children.

Emma Edwards - Senior Early Years Practitioner

Since an early age being the oldest sibling, I grew up ensuring my sister and brother were looked after as my parents worked full time so I took on that nurturing role. It has never left me. I have had many roles in life but looking after children has always been my favourite. I went into education later in life as I ran our family business for many years but when I had my gorgeous son, I decided to change profession. I have teaching qualifications and lots of SEND experience. I think children are beautiful - a blank canvass, they need love, support and reassurance. To teach them without them knowing at a young age is key, so leading by example; instilling values, manners and disciplines, all of which I am very experienced in. I just want to help all children excel in life and want parents to feel assured and happy. Happy children- happy parents.

Favourite Childhood Memory

Playing in the entry with my best friend and sitting on my back step telling silly jokes, I was four years old, we are still friends now... 'do you want me to tell you a joke about butter? No, case you spread it!'

Favourite Children's Book

Iggie's House by Judy Blume, I read it over and over.

Favourite Children's Film

The Goonies!

Favourite Season

Autumn because my birthday is in October, I love the colours and the anticipation of Christmas around the corner.

Siblings

I have a younger sister and brother who I still look after now.

Savannah Meredith - Earl Years Practitioner

I have always wanted to work with children, I used to babysit young children and that's where my inspiration for working with children came from. I am the oldest child in our family and helped out with my younger siblings. I love to see the little faces when doing creative and messy play they light up the room!

Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memories are when me and my five younger siblings were all young and we would go out on big family days together, we would go on adventures exploring public attractions.

Favourite Children's Book
Julia Donaldson - A Squash and a Squeeze

Favourite Children's Film
My favourite childhood film is High School Musical and I also love Hairspray!!

Favourite Season
My favourite season is late autumn when it begins to change to winter. I love the colours of autumn and the colourful leaves falling off the trees.

Siblings
I am the oldest of six children.

Diane Cocking - Early Years Practitioner

When my children were growing up I volunteered in a school setting. Whilst at the school I was encouraged to pursue my career in childcare because of my considerate nature which the children found very reassuring. I enjoy working within The Kindergarten Group as I enjoy helping the children achieve their personal education goals, in a safe friendly environment with their friends. I am a very proud mother of a daughter and son. I enjoy all outdoor activities, especially mountain pursuits, being able to complete the twenty-four hour three peaks challenge was fantastic.

Favourite Childhood Memory

The Funfair! - When I was a little girl we took my dad on the Waltzer for the first time it was so funny.

Favourite Children's Book

Jack and the Beanstalk

Favourite Children's Film

Beauty and the Beast

Favourite Season

Springtime - Nature starting to flourish and the birds are starting to make their nests.

Siblings

I am the fourth child of five children.

Kelly Lambourne - Early Years Practitioner

Whilst growing up I would help look after my friends baby, I loved spending time with her, feeding her meals and taking her out for walks. I also loved to help out with my younger half brother and half sister when they were little. I have always wanted to work with children from a young age, I enjoy planning different activities, the messier the better and I love getting stuck in with them! It's such an rewarding role to see them develop into their own little characters, they put a smile on your face by saying something funny that really makes your day! Outside of work I have a wonderful husband and three children who are my world, two sons and one daughter alongside my two Persian cats. I love being a mum, they keep me on my toes with taking them to their various clubs, scout's, beavers, swimming and ballet.

Favourite Childhood Memory

Going abroad for the first time, when I was nine years old to the Greek Island of Corfu. I was so excited to be going on an aeroplane and I would look at the brochure every night at the swimming pools and beach whilst on count down to our holiday!

Favourite Children's Book

We have lots of books in our house that has been passed down though my children but my favourite is Stickman.

Favourite Children's Film

The Wizard of Oz - I used to have it on video and often watched it on a rainy day with my brother.

Favourite Season

Summer - I love the warm lighter evenings, doing a barbecue in the garden, filling up the paddling pool and sitting out until the sun goes down. I love a day out at the beach too!

Siblings

I am the oldest of four siblings. I have one brother, one half brother and one half sister.

Rachel Ellis - Catering Manager

I studied catering and hospitality studies after leaving school at Cauldon college of further and Higher Education. Cauldon college gave me the opportunity to help with the preparation of food for the Royal Knock out which included the Royal Family and a multitude of stars and other events for entrepreneurs. I have cooked for old people and also children at a residential school. I also worked at a small independent bakery. I absolutely love children eating nutritional meals and giving them the best start in life. I have been a member of the Royal British Legion for fourteen years selling poppies every November. I help to make Biddulph beautiful with the yarn balms we make post box toppers out of knitting, crochet and macramé.

Favourite Childhood Memory

Holidays in Wales and rock pool exploring.

Favourite Children's Book

Black Beauty I still have my book from childhood.

Favourite Children's Film

Pete’s Dragon

Favourite Season

My favourite season is spring with the burst of colour from the spring bulbs and blossoms watching the leaves gently unfurling, pussy willows fluffy and the catkins dancing in the wind my children and I love walking with a dog that we rehomed and enjoy amazing season of regrowth.

Siblings

I am the oldest of four children the youngest siblings are twins’ brother and a sister.