Fenton Kindergarten
Fenton Kindergarten opened for business in November 2023 taking over from Bizzy Bodz day nursery an established and successful nursery which had been on site for the previous 12 years. The kindergarten provides full day childcare for children aged 8 weeks – 5 years and feeds into all of the primary schools in the Fenton area.
The kindergarten also offers before and after school care and holiday club for children attending the following schools within our local area: Christ Church C E © Primary School, Glebe Primary Academy, Heron Cross Primary School and Our Lady’s Catholic Primary Academy.
We have a designated outdoor space which children of all ages use every day, we also place great value on our place within the community and make regular visits to Fenton Park, The Lido, Temple Street Methodist Church & The Limes Residential Home to support our inter-generational work with members of the elderly community.
All of the children’s meals are prepared fresh, each day 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
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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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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.
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.
Phoenix Moss - Deputy Manager
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I have always wanted to work with children as I've always been around them. When I was growing up I always wanted to help my auntie with my younger cousins and would insist I helped with everything! I definitely think this had a big part in my aspirations to work with children, it also motivated me to study childcare at college. I absolutely love my job and find it very rewarding. I love to watch the children grow and develop and how excited they get when they try new things. My favourite activity is the messy play, I love their faces when they are able to express themselves with the messy playtimes. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and walking my dog Riley.
Favourite Childhood Memory
As a child Christmas was always made so magical for me and my sister and we had lots of amazing traditions. My favourite is Christmas eve breakfast getting ready for Santa to come.
Favourite Children's Book
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Favourite Children's Film
Toy Story - Or anything Disney!
Favourite Season
Definitely winter as I just think that the whole winter season is so magical.
Siblings
I have one older sister.
Sharmila Bharathithasan - Early Years Practitioner
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After my GCSE, I started studying a Btech, but I have always wanted to work with children as I come from a big family with four siblings and ten nieces and nephews. So I discontinued Btech after a year and studied Level two childcare and I got the job as a nursery assistant straight after the course I have grown up with lots of siblings, nieces, and nephews and I enjoyed spending time and playing with them which motivated me to work with children as my job. I enjoy listening to music, travelling, shopping, and playing with my kids.
Favourite Childhood Memory
Playing hide and seek when I was a little girl. I have such fond memories of this time with my siblings, we had so much fun trying to find the best hiding place!
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Favourite Children's Book
Alice in Wonderland
Favourite Children's Film
Finding Nemo
Favourite Season
Summer as it is a time to go on a holiday with kids and enjoy the sun on the beach.
Siblings
I am the youngest of five children.
Mackenzie Pearce - Early Years Practitioner
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My background has always been childcare, I went to college to complete my childcare qualifications and then joined a nursery straight away, after taking some time away I soon realised that my passion lay within early years. The best part of my job is watching the children flourish and grow this learning and playful environment, seeing their little faces light up the room when they learn something new.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
​​My favourite memory is being on holiday with my mum and dad and having to wrap my dad up in tissue roll to win a competition, it was hilarious.
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Favourite Children's Book
Going on a Bear Hunt
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Favourite Children's Film
Cinderella
Favourite Season
Winter is my favourites season as everything becomes Christmassy and festive. Its definitely my favourite time of the year!
Siblings
I am the oldest child, I have one younger sister. ​​​​​
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Katie Richards - Early Years Practitioner
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I am a mum of a little girl and two fur baby doggies! I went to college and university to study childcare and then on to my foundation degree for teaching. I have worked in a couple of nurseries and primary schools and I have gained valuable knowledge and understanding of how to support the children through their learning journeys. Outside of work I spend every moment I can with my little girl helping her to flourish, whether its dancing, singing, playing out enjoying walks to the park!
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Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory is Christmas time, when we started to get all the decorations out ready for Christmas. We used to decorate the house with all the old traditions - bunting was everywhere, along with the twinkling lights and the big tree. I loved waking up on Christmas day with all the family around.
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Favourite Children's Book
My favourite book is The Curly Top Monster in Rocky Roll Party. I also love the Peter Rabbit Collection.
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Favourite Children's Film
I would probably say The Grinch as I love this film and watch it every Christmas!
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Favourite season​
My favourite season is Winter - not for the weather though as its too cold. Its my favourite because its Christmas and I love how magical it is, especially when you have young children to share the magical moments with. We love to get our cosy socks on and warm up with a hot chocolate.
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Siblings
I have an older half brother, then its me, then two younger half brothers.​​
Isabelle Taylor - Early Years Practitioner Apprentice
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I have always wanted to work with children for as long as I can remember. I come from a big family and have nine younger cousins who I grew up very close to and often helped care for! I find my job incredibly rewarding, and I love knowing that I am making a difference in children’s lives by helping them learn and develop.
Favourite childhood memory
I have always loved Christmas and still do! I was always the first one awake on Christmas morning ( at about 4am) excitedly running to my mum and dad’s room to wake them up to see if Santa had been, to which their reply was “it’s too early he hasn’t been yet go back to sleep!” But I never did as I was too excited!!
Favourite childhood book
Peace at last by Jill Murphy
Favourite childhood film
All of the Toy Story’s !
Favourite season
Definitely winter as I absolutely love Christmas time! and my birthday is around this time too. I find the whole winter season just so magical!
Siblings
I have a brother who is four years younger than me.
Keira Whiting - Early Years Practitioner Apprentice
I love working with children because I enjoy being part of their growth, seeing the world through their curious eyes and helping them to be creative. I love the idea of helping them feel supported, confident, and understood. Knowing that I can make even a small positive impact on their early years experiences motivates me, and I want to be someone who helps guide them during such an important stage of their life.
Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory was when I went to the beach with my great nan, we spent hours searching for crabs and seashells on the sand.
Favourite Childrens Book
My favourite childrens book is We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.
Favourite Childrens Film
My favourite childrens film is The Grinch its such a great Christmas film.
Season
My favourite season is autumn, I love the vibrant colours and cosy nights, when the outdoors starts to wind down.
Siblings
I am they youngest of two children, I have one older brother.
Kim Powell - Catering Supervisor
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I've always been a chef in the caring or education sector. I've cooked at the local college and in care homes for the elderly until I found employment on my doorstep here at Fenton. I love cooking for the children, filling hungry bellies after a busy day and seeing their smiley happy faces.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
Going to lots of different parks in the summer with my mum when I was a child, I would get so excited testing out all the swings and slides.
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Favourite Children's Book
The Secret Garden is my favourite children's book, its definitely an old classic.
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Favourite Children's Film
Greece
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Favourite Season
Summer, because the days are longer and its nice and warm to sit and enjoy the outdoors.
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Siblings​
I have one sister, I am the oldest child.
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