Meet the Team
Kerry Gay
Manager
Kerry Gay – Manager
Kerry has been part of the Preschool family since 2007, when her daughter first joined. With a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies, she now keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes—from budgets to day-to-day operations—making sure every child and family has the best start possible.
Kerry has a real love for literature. If she could be any character, she would be Charlie Cook from Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, exploring one adventure after another. Inspiring that same love of stories and imagination is something she hopes to create for every child who attends the setting, in a way that is accessible and affordable for all families. She strongly believes that reading plays an essential role in children’s development and that every child should have the opportunity to enjoy books. One of her favourite facts is that reading to a child every day until they are four means they could experience over 1,400 books before they even start school.
Kerry also loves an allotment day, where children can be free, a little wild, and fully immersed in nature. She especially enjoys seeing children eat what they grow—there’s nothing better than a child who says they don’t like apples happily picking one straight from the tree and taking a bite. For Kerry, these moments are where curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning truly come to life.
Grace Henson
Deputy Manager
Grace Henson – Deputy Manager
Grace has been part of the family since 2016 and brings a real passion for early years education. With a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and a range of other qualifications, she ensures the Preschool’s ethos and curriculum shine through in everything the children do. Her focus is on creating a bespoke early years’ experience that supports every child’s development, with a strong passion for supporting children with special educational needs.
Grace is full of energy—loud, fun, and always busy! She loves learning new things and is always excited to share fresh ideas and experiences with the children. For Grace, the best days are filled with curiosity, new opportunities, and watching children grow into confident, independent learners. Whether it’s running across the field, swinging on a rope swing, feeding sheep, or paddling in the brook, she encourages children to explore freely, get very muddy, and fully embrace the joy of being young. In Grace’s eyes, life is best experienced barefoot and out in the world.
Nikki Warwick
Senior Early Years Educator
Nikki Warwick
Senior Early Years Educator
Nikki is one of our Level 3 practitioners and joined the family in 2022, bringing six years of early years’ experience with her. Given the choice, she will always be exploring outdoors—rain or shine! Nikki can often be found singing with the children, filling the room with music and fun.
When she’s not at work, she enjoys baking tasty treats for her family and keeping active with football runs for her boys.
Vikki Watling
Senior Early Years Educator
Vikki Watling
Senior Early Years Educator
Vikki brings a wide range of experience to the team, along with a degree in Early Childhood Studies. She has a real passion for child development and enjoys supporting children as they learn and grow.
When she’s not at work, Vikki is kept busy chasing after her two young boys, who certainly keep her on her toes!
Stephanie Cheadle
Early Years Educator
Stephanie Cheadle
Early Years Educator
Steph joined the family in 2025 and holds a degree in Early Childhood Studies. She’s rugby-mad and a big supporter of the Saints! At home, Steph has two boys and two dogs, so life is always busy.
At Preschool, she can often be found in the construction area, building something impressive alongside the children.
Kerry Gent
Early Years Educator
Kerry Gent
Early Years Educator
Kerry completed her Level 2 in the summer of 2024 and is now working towards her Level 3. Always practical and resourceful, if something’s broken, she’ll fix it, and if you need something, there’s a good chance she already has it at home!
You’ll often find Kerry sharing a story with the children, bringing stories to life and sparking their curiosity.
Natalia Gibbons
Early Years Educator
Natalia Gibbons
Early Years Educator
Natz has been part of our Preschool family since 2026. She completed her Level 3 in September 2025 and is excited to put her knowledge into practice.
In her spare time, Natz is kept busy as an Army Cadet leader, so she’s always on the go! She brings that same energy into Preschool life and loves trying new activities with the children.
Jess Griffith
Apprentice
Jess Griffith
Apprentice
Jess joined us in 2024 as our apprentice and is currently working towards her Level 3. She loves going on our walks, especially when there’s a chance to visit the animals. In her spare time, Jess manages her own football team and enjoys walking with her dog, Bob.
At work, she often shares her football knowledge with the children, bringing her skills and enthusiasm into play.
Leanne Henson
Volunteer
Leanne Henson
Volunteer
Leanne, also known as Nannyann (long story!), volunteers with us once a week and helps with fundraising and our weekly food shop.
She loves spoiling the children (and staff!) and can often be found sharing a good book with a cuddle.
Meet the Team
Kerry Gay
Manager
Kerry has been part of the Preschool family since 2007, when her daughter first joined. With a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies, she now keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes—from budgets to day-to-day operations—making sure every child and family has the best start possible.
Kerry has a real love for literature. If she could be any character, she would be Charlie Cook from Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, exploring one adventure after another. Inspiring that same love of stories and imagination is something she hopes to create for every child who attends the setting, in a way that is accessible and affordable for all families. She strongly believes that reading plays an essential role in children’s development and that every child should have the opportunity to enjoy books. One of her favourite facts is that reading to a child every day until they are four means they could experience over 1,400 books before they even start school.
Kerry also loves an allotment day, where children can be free, a little wild, and fully immersed in nature. She especially enjoys seeing children eat what they grow—there’s nothing better than a child who says they don’t like apples happily picking one straight from the tree and taking a bite. For Kerry, these moments are where curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning truly come to life.
Grace Henson
Deputy Manager
Grace has been part of the family since 2016 and brings a real passion for early years education. With a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies and a range of other qualifications, she ensures the Preschool’s ethos and curriculum shine through in everything the children do. Her focus is on creating a bespoke early years’ experience that supports every child’s development, with a strong passion for supporting children with special educational needs.
Grace is full of energy—loud, fun, and always busy! She loves learning new things and is always excited to share fresh ideas and experiences with the children. For Grace, the best days are filled with curiosity, new opportunities, and watching children grow into confident, independent learners. Whether it’s running across the field, swinging on a rope swing, feeding sheep, or paddling in the brook, she encourages children to explore freely, get very muddy, and fully embrace the joy of being young. In Grace’s eyes, life is best experienced barefoot and out in the world.
Nikki Warwick
Senior Early Years Educator
Nikki is one of our Level 3 practitioners and joined the family in 2022, bringing six years of early years’ experience with her. Given the choice, she will always be exploring outdoors—rain or shine! Nikki can often be found singing with the children, filling the room with music and fun.
When she’s not at work, she enjoys baking tasty treats for her family and keeping active with football runs for her boys.
Vikki Watling
Senior Early Years Educator
Vikki brings a wide range of experience to the team, along with a degree in Early Childhood Studies. She has a real passion for child development and enjoys supporting children as they learn and grow.
When she’s not at work, Vikki is kept busy chasing after her two young boys, who certainly keep her on her toes!
Stephanie Cheadle
Early Years Educator
Steph joined the family in 2025 and holds a degree in Early Childhood Studies. She’s rugby-mad and a big supporter of the Saints! At home, Steph has two boys and two dogs, so life is always busy.
At Preschool, she can often be found in the construction area, building something impressive alongside the children.
Kerry Gent
Early Years Educator
Kerry completed her Level 2 in the summer of 2024 and is now working towards her Level 3. Always practical and resourceful, if something’s broken, she’ll fix it, and if you need something, there’s a good chance she already has it at home!
You’ll often find Kerry sharing a story with the children, bringing stories to life and sparking their curiosity.
Natalia Gibbons
Early Years Educator
Natz has been part of our Preschool family since 2026. She completed her Level 3 in September 2025 and is excited to put her knowledge into practice.
In her spare time, Natz is kept busy as an Army Cadet leader, so she’s always on the go! She brings that same energy into Preschool life and loves trying new activities with the children.
Jess Griffith
Apprentice
Jess joined us in 2024 as our apprentice and is currently working towards her Level 3. She loves going on our walks, especially when there’s a chance to visit the animals. In her spare time, Jess manages her own football team and enjoys walking with her dog, Bob.
At work, she often shares her football knowledge with the children, bringing her skills and enthusiasm into play.
Leanne Henson
Volunteer
Leanne, also known as Nannyann (long story!), volunteers with us once a week and helps with fundraising and our weekly food shop.
She loves spoiling the children (and staff!) and can often be found sharing a good book with a cuddle.
