Working together with family and friends to create an inclusive and fun place to be!
Kirsty Tonks Manager - 07792 353802
Kirsty Tonks
Pre-School Manager
Hello, I am Kirsty, I have been at the Pre-School since November 2021, but despite the short time I have been the manager, I can honestly say I am loving leading such an incredible team of Practitioners who are well experienced and qualified with so much passion for supporting the children in our care and working with families to improve children's outcomes. I also really enjoy being part of the committee and working with our parent committee to continually improve the Pre-School.
I have had almost 30 years experience in Early Years, in a variety of settings. I have worked my way through many Early Years qualifications and have achieved a Foundation Degree in Early Years, I have and continue to attend many Early years courses to extend and improve my knowledge of Early Years development, I am currently working on the NPQEYL (National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership).
I enjoy supporting children from their first few sessions and onwards, it is so amazing to see each of them grow and develop in confidence, learn new skills and develop their individual personalities. I love messy play and being outdoors with the children, allowing them the freedom to explore and have fun!
I also am passionate about supporting not just the children but their families too, and believe that Pre-school is a place for the whole family to belong.
I love working with the staff team, supporting them to provide the best environment for the children to feel safe and happy.
Cassie Else
Deputy (Tin Hut site)
Hi, I am Cassie, I have worked at Matlock Preschool since January 2013.
I gained a level 3 qualification in Children’s Care, Learning and Development in 2009, and have since attended and will continue to attend Early Years training courses which help to develop and extend my knowledge and understanding of how young children develop and learn.
I am very passionate about my job, and love supporting the children and parents to feel safe and secure within the Pre-School.
Working with the youngest children of the Pre-School I get to support children to settle into a setting for the first time, but it isn't just the children I support, as often the parents/carers need help and reassurance when their child is first starting Pre-School.
I especially enjoy seeing the children's progression, and observing how they develop in confidence, form friendships with each other and seeing their personalities come to life.
I enjoy interacting with children as they play, talking and listening to them. I really love sharing stories with the children (I have a talent for voices of characters in storytelling), I also love singing and dancing with the children, and mostly ensuring that everyone is having lots of fun!
Tracey Morton
Deputy (Woolley Rd Site)
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Hello I am Tracey. I have been working at Matlock Pre-school since 2013 as a relief member of staff, and soon became a full time member of staff.
I have had experience working at both sites, with the younger children and now I am based as Deputy at Woolley Road.
I have been in Early Years since I was 18 years young, so many years! I also work as manager of Twilight after-school care at All Saints School.
I have gained Level 3 Qualification in Early Learning and Childcare in 2013, and have attended and will continue to attend various Early Years courses to extend and develop my knowledge and understanding of children's development.​
I especially love sharing books and singing with the children, but generally enjoy seeing the children grow from their first sessions to becoming ready for their journey beyond to school.
I feel proud to be part of their journey!
Julie Cox
Pre-School Practitioner / SENCO
Hi My name is Julie, I work mainly at the Woolley Road site, although you may see me from time to time at the Tin Hut. I started working at Matlock Pre-School after completing my Level 3 Early Years Education diploma and two year placement at Ashover School Nursery.
I am the SENDCO and Inclusion Officer, and have a Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators in Early Years settings. I advise staff on how to support children with additional needs. Another part of my role is working with parents and other professionals to enable children with additional needs to reach their full potential, both in setting and at home.
I have previously worked as a midday supervisor and in school breakfast, aftercare and holiday clubs.
I really love to work with the children to develop their ideas in the area of expressive arts and design. I get so much joy from enabling the children to bring their creative ideas to life using a mixture of media and materials.
I consider the best days are the ones where I go home with paint on my clothes and glitter in my hair.
Alison Shah
Pre-School Practitioner
Hello, I am Alison.
I have been at the Pre-school since November 2022. I am usually based at Woolley Road, and work two days a week.
I have been working in Early Years for over 20 years and I gained a level 3 in Play work, as well as a degree in Art. I also have attended and will continue to attend many Early Years training courses to expand my knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop.
I have previously worked with Kirsty at South Darley and Winster Pre-school, as well as South Darley Primary school and after school clubs.
I enjoy baking and cooking with the children, allowing the children the freedom to experiment with the ingredients and create delicious new foods to try.
I also love just spending time with the children interacting, playing, talking, listening and I really enjoy reading stories with and to them. I love to bring in books from home that I used to read to my children who are all now grown up.
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Jess Stimson
Pre-School Practitioner
Hi I am Jessica. I started at the Pre-School in January 2022, I previously worked in the kitchen at All Saints Infants school as well as many years experience in a nursery.
I have a level 3 in Childcare and Education and have attended many early years training courses which help me to support children to learn and develop through play and quality interactions. I strive to improve my knowledge on children and enjoy attending further training to support me in my role.
I am based at the Tin Hut, where I really enjoy being part of children's first experiences of attending an early years setting. I am a clam and caring person and this helps me to support children and parents when first settling into Pre-School. I love seeing how the children grow and become more confident, whilst adjusting to Pre-School.
I feel privileged to help the children make memories, form friendships and am happy to be part of their journey to their next chapter.
Frances Crowfoot
Pre-School Practitioner
Hello I am Frances. I have been at the Pre-School since 2022.
I first began at the Tin Hut where I enjoyed being part of children's first experiences of Pre-School, however I am now based at Woolley Road and I love spending time with the children as they prepare for the next chapter in life.
I gained a Level 3 in Childcare and Education as well as many other Early years training courses which have extended my knowledge of children's development. I have had experience in Nursery and as a Nanny (Au Pair). I also worked part time at Gulliver's Kingdom in Matlock Bath, before becoming full time at the Pre-School.
I love being part of the Pre-School, I especially enjoy interacting and playing with the children, and building strong relationships with them so they feel safe and secure when they are away from their parents/carers.
Lisa Smedley
Pre-School Practitioner
Hello I am Lisa, both of my children attended Pre-School and I became a member of relief staff in 2022. I now work at the Tin Hut every morning and the odd afternoon at Woolley Road.
I have many years experience working in Nurseries with young children as well as having two primary school aged children. I gained my level 3 in Early Years Care and Education, and have over the years attended Early Years training to extend my knowledge of children's learning and development. I still enjoy attending new courses which help me to support the children to grow and develop at Pre-School.
I am a calm, patient and caring person and understand that children need supportive adults to help them adjust to the world around them.
I love my role as carer, friend and educator to the children, It is so rewarding to see them grow in confidence, and develop their skills and knowledge.
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Paula Boam
Cleaner
Hi, I am Paula Boam.
You won't see me at the Pre-School as I come in when the children have left, and make sure the next time they come into the Pre-School it is nice and clean for them.
I have been here at the Pre-School since March 2022. I work across both sites, making sure the environment is clean and safe for the children.
I have lived in Matlock all my life and have two daughters. We have two Guinea Pigs, a couple of fish and a dog called Trixie.
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Sarah Saddington
Volunteer Practitioner
Hello, I am Sarah.
I have many years experience with children, originally as a teacher and most recently working alongside Alison and Kirsty. I am retired but have missed working with children so much that I have chosen to volunteer at the Pre-school.
I enjoy exploring outside with the children and have a vast range of games and activities to share with the children.
Megan Morgan
SEN Support Assistant
I started at the Pre-School in the summer term of 2024.
I have a degree in working with young people and communities. I have worked with young people (age 8
to 18) and with multi-agency teams and in youth groups for young people with additional needs and/or disabilities, providing crafts, games and working on life skills.
I believe in creating an environment that allows children the freedom to play and learn and that all children should have equal opportunity to learn and play in a way that works for them.
I am a mother of 3 children, so am no stranger to changing
nappies and potty/toilet training, reading stories, learning through play and supporting self care routines.
I am patient, understanding and know that all children
communicate their needs and emotions differently.
Iona Beswick
Early Years Practitioner
I have been at the Pre-School supporting as relief staff since 2022. I also work at Twilight After Hours at All Saints Infants, so get to work with some of the children once they have left the Pre-School.
I am completing my level 3 in Early Years, and love being part of the Pre-School.
