Meet The Team

At Anston Stones Early Years

At Anston Stones Early Years we believe that no single learning experience is the best. That’s why we’ve developed our own approach to early years building on long-trusted teaching methods and the latest research from industry. These influence our pre-school environment, structure of our day and how our childcare team provides purposeful learning for the children.

The setting is run by a team of highly qualified and experienced early years practitioners. All Staff undertake a range of training to enable them to care for children, nurture their learning and development.

Our friendly, highly-trained staff are focused on providing a fun and exciting environment where children can play, learn and thrive in their personal development. Our team are dedicated to ensuring your child develops as an individual whilst helping to nurture and encourage their learning through discovery, investigation and enjoyment. Not only do we offer education through creativity and play but pride ourselves on developing children’s personal and emotional development including confidence and enthusiasm from an early age. We want the children in our care to feel secure and happy so they can't wait to come back.

Our experienced Management Team ensures that all staff are vetted to ensure their suitability to work with children (including enhanced DBS checks) and this is monitored through regular reviews and appraisals. Practitioners are selected for their caring nature, passion for early years and experience. We also train the entire team in Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding plus much more – the children’s safety and welfare is paramount and we know that there can be no compromise on this.

andrea watson

Early Years Manager

Level 3 Qualified

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Health & Safety Lead

Looked After Children Officer

Behaviour Coordinator

Student Mentor

I have been working at Anston Stones Early Years since 2008, I initially volunteered and enjoyed helping with fundraising events. I later went on to complete my level 2 in 2011 and level 3 in 2013.

After joining the team I took on the role of Early Years Practitioner, I had always enjoyed working with children and I am passionate about early years. I love working with families and making those key relationships with them. In 2018 I became Manager and have since embraced the role. I always strive to ensure that the children, their families and my incredible team are my highest priority.

My family keep me very busy but we enjoy traveling as much as possible and exploring the world together, making memories.

rianne link

Deputy Early Years Manager & SENCo

Level 6 Qualified
2nd Designated Safeguarding Lead

Inclusion, Equality and Diversity Coordinator

Curriculum Lead

Fire Safety Officer

I have been an early years educator for over 20 years. I have a passion for helping children learn and develop through fun activities. I love playdough, telling stories, singing songs and getting messy. When I am not at nursery I spend my time visiting local farms and zoos with my little boy.

I am currently working towards my level 3 qualification here at Anston Stones Early Years. I have always worked in a caring capacity and have always wanted to work with children.

I love singing and dancing and being outside which is why I will be taking on more training to be a Forest School Assistant once I have completed my level 3 qualification.

I’m looking forward to using my new skills to help the children at Anston Stones to thrive and enjoy their time here. I have a little girl of my own and a step daughter and we spend most weekends on days out as a family.

I joined the Anston Stones family in 2023. I am also a foster carer which means I have completed lots of training surrounding early childhood. I am a mother and nannan and love been with children and helping them develop and grow.

I have a passion for helping children achieve their best potential and I am always open to learning more to support the children we care for.

Maureen Elliott

Early Years Educator

Level 3 Qualified

I have been a qualified early years educator for many years, specialising in special educational needs and disabilities.

I was also a foster carer for 20 years and this has enhanced my training and knowledge of our very diverse community. I am fluent in sign language and enjoy watching our children learn makaton.

Robyn Eratt-Dickens

Early Years Educator

Level 3 Qualified

I joined Anston Stones in 2024. I have 4 years experience working in early years. I have my level 2 and 3 childcare qualifications.

I find working as a nursery practitioner really rewarding and it is lovely to watch each child grow and develop. I enjoy hiking and spending my free time in the outdoors and I am a huge animal lover.

I have been working within the early years sector since 2008 when I completed my CACHE level 3 diploma. I later went on to complete my degree with honours in Early Childhood Studies. I have always had a passion for working with children, I believe that the early years are the foundations to the best possible start in life.

I joined the Anston Stones team in September 2018 as Deputy Manager, I later took on the additional role as SENCo. I am always keen to further my knowledge to support the children and their families we work with. I have two children of my own and we love to explore the world around us, visiting places and going on walks.

Early Years Educator

Georgia self

Level 5 Qualified

I have been working within early years for over 10 years and have worked with children from birth to 5. I love working with children and their families and I believe that the early years is such a vital part of a child’s early education.

I will be taking on the role of Forest School Leader and working towards my qualification this year. I look forward to sharing my love for being outdoors with the children in setting.
I have 2 children of my own and we spend most of our free time at roller hockey or ice hockey.

hannah watson

Early Years Educator

Level 3 Qualified Early Years Educator

I have always had a passion for childcare. After finishing university, I started my first job in a nursery setting and have been working in childcare since 2008.

I joined Anston Stones Early Years in 2019 and have loved every minute since. I work with a great team of ladies and love to support each child in their learning and development. I was recently promoted to Room Leader (2024) and love to work closely with everyone to provide the best care and education for our children.

I am a mum of two daughters and love spending all my free time with them. We love to do lots of crafts together. If a get a spare moment to myself I love to read.

I have always wanted to work with children for a long time. In September 2019 I started working at Anston Stones Early Years whilst working towards my level 3 in Childcare.

I love working in childcare and here at Anston Stones Early Years as I find it very rewarding to watch and see the children develop skills. I also love working at Anston Stones Early years as I came here when I was little.

For the future I'd like to enhance my knowledge even further and go to university, at home I love shopping and I also love different cultures and learning about their religions and how they live.

hayley cartlidge

Room Leader & Early Language Lead

Level 6 Qualified

helen hammond

Early Years Educator

Level 3 Qualified

Apprentice Early Years Educator

vicki kay

Working Towards Level 3

Early Years Practitioner

rita hukin

Unqualified

Apprentice Early Years Educator

Alexandra hutchinson

It has always been a dream of mine to work with children, after having three of my own I felt there was no time like the present. The team at Anston Stones Early Years are wonderful, and the setting is just beautiful with lots of learning opportunities.

I love to think I can have a positive impact on a child’s start to their education, & teaching them the foundations to help them go on to achieve amazing things in later life.

I am currently working towards my level 3 & intend to further broaden my knowledge & skills in the future to reach higher to be able to provide the best level of care & education to children.