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.

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.

Lynsey Shaw - Nursery Manager

Even from a young age, I've always been the go-to person for 'babysitting' and I first took an interest working in early years from work experience at a primary school, whilst was attending high school. From there, I earned myself a diploma in early childhood education and started work at a nursery. I've worked in two settings previous to here at Fenton and I've been here for a little over eight years, totalling just over twenty two years in the childcare sector.

Favourite Childhood Memory

My favourite childhood memory is playing outside with my friends and siblings and knowing when to come home when the lampposts came on.

Favourite Children's Book

The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Favourite Children's Film

The Goonies

Favourite Season

Winter (not for the heating bills haha) because its a magical time of year for my children - the exciting build up to the big day.

Siblings

I am the middle child of five siblings, I have four brothers.

Phoenix Moss - Deputy Manager

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 look after my younger cousins and would insist I helped with everything! I definitely think this was a big part in my aspirations to work with children as it motivated me to study childcare at college. I absolutely love my job and definitely find it so rewarding, I love watching the children grow and develop and how excited they get when they try new things. One of my favourite activities with the children is definitely messy play, the children love to get messy and I love seeing their faces when they are able to express themselves within their play. Outside of work I particularly enjoy spending time with my family and love to take my dog on long walks.

Favourite Childhood Memory

As a child Christmas was always so magical for me and my sister, we had lots of amazing traditions (that we still continue now even as adults!) my favourite one being going for Christmas Eve breakfast we have done this for as long as I can remember, I have always loved having breakfast with my family waiting for Santa to come!

Favourite Children's Book

The Tiger who came to tea

Favourite Children's Film

Toy Story

Favourite Season

Winter, as I just think that the whole winter season is so magical, not only Christmas, I also love the thought of being cosy at home with my family and dog while its cold outside.

Siblings

I am the youngest child, I have one older sister.

Imogen Davis - Early Years Practitioner Apprentice

I have grown up alongside four younger siblings, for me, learning with children, playing games that suit every age and nurturing children has always come as second nature. Children to me are the most important for the worlds future, I love helping them achieve their goals whilst watching and cheering them on.

Favourite Childhood Memory

My favourite childhood memory will always be the day I learnt to ride my bike without stabilizers. I was on holiday with my nan and grandad and had been begging to go along the track without my stabilizers, but had been too scared to do it alone. My grandad agreed to hold my back as I peddled for extra support and after ten laps of the entire caravan site, I turned my head to realise my grandad had let go. My nan and grandad were cheering me on and I had done the last two laps alone. I was so proud and got so many cuddles after.

Favourite Children's Book

My favourite childhood book has got to be The Gruffalo.

I love all the voices I can create when reading it, for each character!

Favourite Children's Film

I absolutely adore Coraline, I remember the day the DVD came in the post and I have watched it thousands of times since.

Favourite Season

I love autumn, the way the leaves turn brown and orange and flood the ground, it sets the perfect mood for a warm night in with a blanket and hot chocolate. Fluffy socks season all the way!

Siblings

I have four siblings, I am the oldest.

Sharmila Bharathithasan - Early Years Practitioner

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!

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

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.

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.

Favourite Children's Book

Going on a Bear Hunt

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.

Jade Rigby - Early Years Practitioner

Coming from a large family I always had younger family members that I loved to look after. I knew that I wanted to work in childcare from a young girl. I remember playing teachers for hours with my dolls as a little girl, and loved it!

Favourite Childhood Memory

My favourite childhood memory is going on holiday to Cornwall every year with my family, all of my cousins would be there and we would take caravans and tents to camp out in.

Favourite Children's Book

My favourite children's book and the one I still love to read now is 'Room On The Broom'. I love how exciting the book is and how excited the children get throughout the book.

Favourite Children's Film

Cinderella is my favourite children's film, I love this film as you get to see a happy ending.

Favourite Season

My favourite season is most definitely summer, I feel like the season is so uplifting. I love making memories with my family in the sunshine!

Siblings

I am the youngest of 2 children, I have an older brother.

Katie Richards - Early Years Practitioner

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!

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.

Favourite Children's Book

My favourite book is The Curly Top Monster in Rocky Roll Party. I also love the Peter Rabbit Collection.

Favourite Children's Film

I would probably say The Grinch as I love this film and watch it every Christmas!

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.

Siblings

I have an older half brother, then its me, then two younger half brothers.

Kim Powell - Catering Supervisor

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.

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.

Favourite Children's Book

The Secret Garden is my favourite children's book, its definitely an old classic.

Favourite Children's Film

Greece

Favourite Season

Summer, because the days are longer and its nice and warm to sit and enjoy the outdoors.

Siblings

I have one sister, I am the oldest child.