Meet The Team
Kelly,
Owner
Following a nursing background for many years I took a career change into childcare and have been working in a variety of different childcare fields for 23 years. On completing my Early Years level 3 qualification I set up my own business childminding, during this time I identified a gap in the provision for older children and so in 2006 my first wrap-around school club was born at Manorfield Primary School.
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I went on to study child psychology at Warwick university and opened three more wrap-around school clubs at Gilmorton, Holliers walk (now Hinckley Parks) and St Margarets.
In 2016 I fulfilled my longterm dream of opening my own day nursery at Sapcote, followed quickly with our Pre-School at our Hinckley Parks site. I am immensely proud of Smiles, it has really been part of the family.
Simon and I have four children all of which have grown with Smiles either by attending one of the settings or working in them and gaining their own childcare qualifications.
My real passion within Smiles is the children themselves of which I am lucky enough to still be part of the fun they have in my settings when I visit the sites.
Outside Smiles I love family time, family dinners, games night and traveling. I enjoy the outdoors and do my best to keep fit with the gym, running and my new love of paddleboarding.
Simon,
Finance Director
I specialise in all financial aspects of Smiles. Formally from a corporate finance background working for Alliance & Leicester for many years as retail savings manager and support service manager prior to working as help desk manager at PCMS group looking after the hardware and software support for clients such as PC world, Curry's, The Link and the Midlands Co-operative group.
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I join Smiles in 2014 looking after the financial side of the business working with parents manage their bookings, provide invoices and work with Managers and Smiles admin on budgets to ensure Smiles continues to be a viable and successful business.
I'm an avid football fan especially for the mighty Liverpool FC and will mostly when not stuck in front of my PC will be either found playing 18 holes or lifting weights in the gym.
Management Team:
Zoe,
General Manager
Hi, my name is Zoe
I have worked with Smiles since May 2025 and have worked with children now for 20 years. I have my level 6 degree in childcare along with lots of other training I have gained over the years.
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I am passionate about children having the best start to education through play by creating an enabling environment which children can learn and develop in. I enjoy supporting staff to get the best possible outcomes from the children and to further develop their skills and training.
My hobbies include, pilates, running, netball, and walking my dog. I enjoy going to festivals, holidays, and spending time with my partner and son. We love going for days out to open water swimming, axe throwing, body boarding, minigolf, and the cinema.
Laura,
Assistant Manager and SENCo
Hi my name is Laura and I am the assistant manager at Smiles. I am level three qualified and currently working towards my level 5. I am the nurseries
SEN co-ordinator.
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I have worked at smiles for seven years and enjoy supporting children as they learn and develop through play. I love being able to explore with the children through messy play and am always looking for new and exciting ways to engage the children in play.
My hobbies outside of nursery include baking, being creative and spending time with my husband. I also enjoy going for walks to new places and spending time with my family.
Explorers & Discoverers Room:
Natalie,
Explorers
Room Leader
Hi my name is Natalie
I am level 3 qualified practitioner and have worked in nurseries for about 25 years.
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I am passionate about children’s learning and development. I have my pediatric first aid, safeguarding and food hygiene qualifications.
Jan,
ExplorersNursery Assistant
Hi, my name is Jan,
I have worked at smiles for 8 years and I have worked with a range of children. I have helped out at afterschool clubs, worked in the toddler room and am currently with the babies.
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I love working with the children and find it very rewarding to watch the children grow and develop as they move through each room in the nursery, finding something fun and exciting to do every day.
My hobbies outside of work include spending time with my family and grandchildren, going for walks in the country, and as I used to live in Turkey I like to go back and visit every year.
Andy,
ExplorersNursery Assistant
Hi my name is Andy
I have been working with children for 27 years and work at Sapcote during the hours of 9 and half one as lunch time assistant within the baby room.
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Additionally, I work at Smiles’ Manorfield breakfast and afterschool club as the manager. Over this period of time I have supported a range of different aged children and worked supporting children with special education needs, which I am extremely passionate about. My favourite thing about early years and working with children is helping them to learn and watching them reach their potential.
In my spare time I am a father of three, my daughters are my life. I also enjoy watching TV and eating!
Rebecca,
Discoverers Room leader
Hello
My name is Becca and I am a level 3 qualified practitioner. I have been working in childcare for 7 years and I could not imagine doing anything else.
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When I am not in nursery uniform you can find me curled up with a good book, relaxing with a movie or with a drawing pencil in hand. I also love a good card or board game.
Maddie,
Nursery Apprentice
Hi my name is Maddie!
I am an apprentice working towards my level 3 in childcare.
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I have been working with children for 6 years and have always loved watching them grow and develop. I love playing with all the children and reading stories with them
Adventurers Room:
Kelly,
Room Leader
Hi, my name is Kelly,
I have worked in a preschool for 6 years where I was able to complete my level 2 in childcare then further moved onto my level 3 in childcare.
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I then moved over to a primary school as a Learning Support Assistant in EYFS for 7 years. I was also an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant where I worked with children with SEN.
I love working with children and helping them to learn and grow as individuals.
My hobbies outside of work are taking nice long walks to different destinations and taking my dog out for a walk.
Georgina,
Nursery Practitioner
Hi my name is Georgina
I have been working at Smiles nursery since August 2024, this is my first role in early years.
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I am currently working towards my level 3 and I am really enjoying it. I really enjoy taking children out for walks as it provides them with great learning opportunities. In my spare time I enjoy looking after my three horses and spending time with my 8 year old son.
Tilly,
Nursery Assistant
Hello my name is Tilly,
I am currently working towards my level 3 qualification in childcare and I love every moment of being part of the team here at Smiles.
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One of my favorite things about my role is planning exciting activities with the children and helping to create fun-filled memories that they will carry with them as they grow. Seeing the children laugh, explore and discover new things makes every day rewarding.
Outside of work I have a real passion for travel and love experiencing new places, cultures and adventures. I enjoy saying yes to new opportunities and making memories with my family and friends.
Inventors Room:
Caroline,
Preschool Manager
Hi, my name is Caroline,
I have worked with children for over 10 years and have been with smiles for 7 years. I first started working with children through being a nanny, then I was a dance teacher, then I became a practitioner at smiles.
Jessica,
Nursery Practitioner
Hi, my name is Jessica.
I have worked at Smiles since March 2025
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I have been in childcare related roles for the past 14 years. I am level 3 qualified and have completed a wide range of additional training over the years.
I have two young children myself, aged 2 and 7. We love exploring and spend weekends visiting zoo’s, parks, theme parks and other attractions.
Katherine,
Nursery Practitioner
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I started off as a practitioner, moved my way up to room leader then became Preschool manager. I love working with children as there is never a dull moment and there is always something new to explore.
Outside of my work my hobbies are, gymnastics, aerial hoop, and spending time with my family. I have two beautiful girls and a lovely husband that I spend lots of time with exploring the great outdoors and going on new adventures whenever we can.
I have worked in childcare for over 20 years and hold a level 2 qualification in early years.
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I enjoy doing crafts and games with the children and supporting them with their needs. I also enjoy making up stories with the children, encouraging them to use their imaginations.
Tash,
Nursery Practitioner
Hi my name is Tasha
I have been part of the Smiles team since January 2025
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I previously I have worked with children aged 0-9 years for 9 years. I am currently studying towards my level three qualification and also level two understanding autism. I am a very passionate and enthusiastic individual and I love to watch children grow and develop.
Stacey,
Nursery Practitioner
Hi my name is Stacey I am level 3 qualified and I am currently working towards my Level 5.
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I have 22 years experience of working with children aged 0-17 years. I enjoy messy play with the children as this encourages the children to develop their social skills, communication skills and also their imagination.
Support Staff:
Mia,
Nursery Practitioner
I have a level 6 in childcare and I am currently at university working towards my Masters in Primary Education.
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I have been working in childcare for 5 years through schools and in Smiles nursery. I love working in childcare as I find it extremely rewarding and enjoy watching the children grow and learn through different areas of play. Outside of work I teach dance to young children as well as taking part too.
Becky,
Housekeeper
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Hinckley Parks Pre-School Staff:
Nic,
Preschool Manager
Hello my name is Nic i have worked for smiles for since 2017 and i have been the Manager of Hinckley parks preschool since 2020
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I am currently working towards my level 5 in Leadership and Management and I am trained in First Aid and safeguarding.
Hollie,
3rd In Charge
.
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Ellie
Nursery Practitioner,
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Dylan,
Nursery Practitioner
I am Level 3 qualified.
I enjoy working with children as it gives me an opportunity to help teach them many exciting things and to learn new skills.
Sydney,
Nursery Assistant
Freya,
Nursery Practitioner
I am Level 3 qualified, and I have 7 years’ experience working in childcare. I have worked with Smiles for the Last 2 years and I love getting to know the children and finding out theirs interests to help them learn and grow.
Zoey,
Nursery Practitioner
I am a Level 3 qualified practitioner and i have worked with smiles for 8 years. I love working with the children and helping them to grow. I am also a Mum of two children.
Get Our Free Parent Pack
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What to Expect from Smiles
Our mission is to provide the highest quality childcare in Sapcote, if not the world!
As part of our commitment, we provide all of our kids with:
Healthy chef-prepared meals each day that meet dietary restrictions such as gluten-free, vegan, etc.
Flexible hours to accommodate parents with busy schedules (including date nights and weekends)
The opportunity to explore the surroundings with weekly field trips
Events that allow children to learn more about the world around them like career day, guest speakers, etc.
Fun events and activities such as sports, drama, French/Spanish and Baby Signs.
A diverse, all-inclusive environment where all cultures and traditions are honoured and respected.
We would be thrilled to have you join our Smiles Nurseries family in Sapcote. Contact us with any questions at +441455274795 or click the button below to schedule a showaround!
Contact Us
12 Rugby House, Hinckley Rd, Sapcote, Leicester, LE9 4FS
12 Rugby House, Hinckley Rd,
Sapcote, Leicester, LE9 4FS
