Meet the Team

Magical environments alone are not enough and without mindful practitioners children would soon lose their spark. Our practitioners at Tiny Tinkers Nursery are highly qualified, passionate about their work and dedicated to supporting our children through forming special relationships, engaging in quality interactions in their learning and modelling how to respect and love our environments, ensuring resources are handled with care and put back where they belong.

Kelly Hills

Owner/Manager, DSL and SENCO

I am a fully qualified teacher with a BA(hons) in primary education and specialised in early years. I have been working within the primary education sector for twenty years and have experience with teaching children up to eleven.

Although I have experiences of teaching across the key stages my passion lies in early years. This passion and the creativity and imagination of young children has inspired me to open my own nursery.

I have opened a nursery that is inspired by the curiosity approach, embraces the diversity of young children and develops their skills to become enthusiastic and creative thinking young learners.

I have an amazing team of educators whom I am proud to call my second family.

Nadine Hall

Deputy Manager - Deputy DSL

I have over eight years experience of working within a nursery setting. I love working with children and understand that in order to get the best out of the children in my care I need to be patient, organised and highly motivated. I have a great sense of humour and love playing games and taking part in activities that make children laugh. I have experience of working will children of all ages from birth to 5 and can therefor identify children's next steps and how to engage them in activities to reach their goals. I have progressed to a lead practitioner during my time at Tiny Tinkers leading the baby room and have recently been promoted to deputy manager. We have a great team, it is a pleasure to be part of this lovely nursery.

Emma Crann

Early Years Practitioner

I am qualified at level 3 in Teaching in Early Years. I find seeing children's progress very rewarding and I an committed to providing the best environment possible for the children in my care. I have a good knowledge of both prime and specific areas of development and am confident in delivering effective learning opportunities through play, in line with the children's developmental stage, interests and needs. I am looking forward to continuing the develop my skills and knowledge with the Tiny Tinkers Family.

Jade Garside

Early Years Practitioner

I have a level 3 in supporting teaching and learning and have currently completed my level 3 as an early years educator. My colleagues describe me as motivated and enthusiastic and very nurturing. I have a passion for working with children and particularly enjoy working with under two's. I really enjoy messy play and involving the children in anything that makes them laugh and enjoy life. I am passionate about including all children irrelevant of their educational and emotional needs, I have a good understanding of SEND and how to make all learning accessible. I am an integral part of the family at Tiny Tinkers Nursery, working my dream job.

Molly Jackson

Early Years Practitioner

I am a level 3 qualified practitioner. I completed my apprenticeship at Tiny Tinkers Nursery and have loved learning how to become an effective practitioner. I have experience with SEND children and love seeing all children make the progress they deserve. I enjoy getting involved with all the children and the activities they engage in. I am patient, calm and understanding with the children and have their needs at my best interest. Tiny Tinkers have welcomed me in as part of their team and I'm ready to continue showing and gaining valuable skills along the way.

Samantha Cranmer

Apprentice Practitioner

I qualified as a level 2 practitioner during my college years then fate took me in a different direction. I spent time working as a receptionist however never lost my passion for working with children. When the opportunity arose for me to enter into childcare again I was thrilled. I began working at Tiny Tinkers in May 2024 and in January 2025 decided to do an apprenticeship to become a level 3 practitioner. I have loved my time so far being part of the Tiny Tinkers team and continue to develop my skills as a successful practitioner.

Lorraine Yu

Early Years Practitioner

I have completed a level 6 in Early Years Education and had eight years experience working in nursery settings. I am a calm, patient and caring person, and I always try to create a positive atmosphere in the setting. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking and doing arts and crafts, such as drawing and handmade activities. I often use these hobbies when working with children, especially in sensory play and expressive arts. I am passionate about early years education and hope to bring both experience and creativity to my role at Tiny Tinkers.

Elle Neasham

Apprentice Practitioner

I completed a boot camp in early years and during that time had a placement at Tiny Tinkers nursery. I was looking for an apprenticeship to start after completing the boot camp and was very pleased to secure a place at the nursery. I absolutely love working with young children and watching them grow into their unique selves. I have a passion for the creative arts and love to share this with the children. I believe every child is unique and has special talents, which it a pleasure to be able to support and develop those skills. This is my dream job and I hope to continue to develop my skills to be the best practitioner I can be.

Toni King

Chef & Early Years Practitioner

I am a level 3 Early Years practitioner with experience working across a range of settings. I have a passion for cooking and really enjoy the challenge of creating healthy, well balanced meals for children. Being a parent myself I understand the importance of ensuring the children have healthy food along with tasty food. We have worked hard to create a menu that achieves this. It is a pleasure to see the children enjoying the food I create and I still get to use my skills as an educator.