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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Lynsey Shaw - Nursery Manager
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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 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 8 years, totalling just over 22 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
Favourite story - 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 5 siblings - I have 4 brothers.
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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 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.
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Outside of work I particularly enjoy spending time with my family and love to take my dog on long walks.
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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!
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Favourite Children's Book
The Tiger who came to tea
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Favourite Children's Film
Definitely anything Disney, but if i had to pick it would be Toy Story.
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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.
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Siblings
I have one older sister.​​
Kim Salt - Early Years Practitioner
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I've always had a full house - we were the go-to house for my children's friends as they were growing up. This is where my passion came in setting up my own childminding business. I did this for 17 years until my children were older and then decided we needed our house back as a family home. This is when I decided to seek employment in a nursery and I've worked here for the past 3 years.
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Favourite Childhood Memory
My favourite childhood memory has to be our family holidays in the caravan.
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Favourite Children's Film
The Worst Witch.
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Favourite Children's Book
Narnia - The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.
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Favourite Season
Summer is my favourite - spending time in the garden having family barbeques.
Siblings
I'm the oldest of 4 - I have 1 sister and1 half sister and 1 half brother.
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 4 siblings and about 10 nieces and nephews. So I discontinued Btech after a year and studied Level 2 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.
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Favourite children's book
Alice in Wonderland.
Favourite children's film
Finding Nemo and Rio.
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 youngest of five.
Sophie Bould - Early Years Practitioner
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When I was younger I looked after my younger cousins. I would create activities and host parties - from this, I knew I would love working with children. I have just recently qualified, but carried out my placement here at Fenton, I loved it so much, I asked if there would be any full times roles available.
Favourite Childhood Memory
One of my favourite childhood memories was hosting a disco party in my room with all my cousins. Another one was going to my grandparents house and doing lots of different crafts.
Favourite book
Anything David Walliams has written.
Favourite Children's Film
My favourite childhood film was Barbie and the Diamond Castle.
Favourite Season
My favourite season is summer and autumn - I love going on holidays and when the sun is out and I love autumn as I love cosy nights in and when its gets dark earlier.
Siblings
I have one older sister.
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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.
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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.
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Favourite Children's Book
Going on a Bear Hunt
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 a younger sister ​​​​​​
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Aaliya Cornwell - Early Years Practitioner
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I have always wanted to work with children, I love helping them learn as they grow and I love to help them learn and explore in the messy play because of the many benefits it has and the smiles it creates!
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Favourite Children's Memory
My favourite childhood memory is going on holiday with my family and swimming with dolphins. Also the magical Christmas times.
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Favourite Children's Book
The Three Little Pigs.
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Favourite Children's Film
Dumbo, because it shows nothing is impossible.
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Favourite Season
My favourite season is summer as this is the best time for visiting the beach and creating precious memories.
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Siblings
I have one younger sister.
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Kim Powell - Catering Supervisor
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I've always been a chef in the caring/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.
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Favourite Children's Book
The Secret Garden
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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.
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Siblings​
I have one sister - I am the oldest child.