Practitioners
Tiddlywinks Pre-School
Practitioners
We have a high staff to child ratio with the aim of averaging a ratio of 1:4 for children under three years old (We did not change our ratio to 1:5 when the government changed it in 2023) and 1:8 for children over three years of age. Staff attend training courses to continue their professional development where possible.
All members of staff are DBS checked.
The Amazing Team
Dakota Ashley-Walters
"I attended Tiddlywinks as a child and have always liked working with children. I completed my level 2 and decided to join Tiddlywinks to complete my level 3 as their apprentice in 2024"
Current Position: Practitioner since August 2024 Key Person to Dakota's Deer (September 2025) & First Aider
Highest Level of Qualification: Level 3
Terri Parker
"After many years of working for different preschools and day nurseries I chose to join the Tiddlywinks team"
Current Position: Practitioner (Since Feb 2019) & Key Person to Terri's Tigers (September 19) & First Aider. Currently on Maternity Leave
Highest Level of Qualification: Level 2
Kinga Kalinin
"I hold a Master's Degree in English Language -Translation Studies. I moved from Poland to England in March 2020 when I became a live in nanny."
Current Position: Practitioner (since October 2021) & Key Person to Kinga's Kangaroos (since January 2024) & First Aider
Highest Level of Qualification: Working towards Level 3
Management Team
Vicki Parker-Jones
"I have worked at Tiddlywinks Pre-School since September 2003. I became a joint owner in 2012 and as of September 2013 I became sole owner of Tiddlywinks Pre-School @ Petts Wood as well as Manager/Owner of Tiddlywinks @ Holy Trinity. Since September 2015 I returned to my own Primary School to open up Tiddlywinks @ Poverest"
Highest Level of Qualification: Level 4
Additional Roles: First Aider, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Shared Behaviour Management Officer
Kara Ashley-Walters
"I have been attending Tiddlywinks Pre-School since 2002 with all four of my children. After supplying for some time in September 2011 I finally joined the Petts Wood team. After being the deputy at Petts Wood for 5 years I needed a new new challenge and moved over to the Poverest site to support the future plans"
Current Position: Deputy Manager since 2013 at our previous site & 2018 POV), Inclusion Manager (since 2013) & Key Person to Kara's Koalas
Highest Level of Qualification: Level 3
Additional Roles: Inclusion Manager, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Behaviour Management Officer & First Aider
Sam Jones
"My daughter attended Tiddlywinks and as I had experience of being a room leader in a day nursery & a childminder, In December 2020 I was happy to help out during COVID19 and afterwards snapped up the chance to join the team. In September 21 I became the deputy leader at the Petts Wood site until 2025 when I decided I wanted to concentrate on my family however returned to Poverest as a key person shortly after. Come 2026 I realised with the support of the team I could concentrate on my family and return to a management role and so at Poverest I became the Assistant Deputy."
Current Position: Assistant Deputy & Key Person to Sam's Sloths
Highest Level of Qualification: Level 3
Additional Roles: First Aider
Support Staff
Kelly Holmes
"I have experience of leading a setting however I now want to get back to interacting with the children. In 2025 I opened my own preschool and am working at Tiddlywinks whilst I get it off the ground".
Current Position: Supply Practitioner (Practitioner since 2021), First Aider
Highest Level of Qualification: Level 6
Millie Rann
"I got my Level 3 and was working in a preschool however my family moved out of the area and decided to take the opportunity to join Tiddlywinks Preschool".
Current Position: Practitioner (Nov 25)
Highest Level of Qualification: Level 3
Lilly Hooper
"I have left school knowing I wanted to work with children and after being given an award from school, I joined Tiddlywinks to take on my level 3 apprenticeship".
Current Position: Level 3 Apprentice (November 2025)
Zoe Walters
"I have previously working win nurseries before leaving to trying different things. It just made me realise that I loved Early Years and so jumped at the chance to join Tiddlywinks".
Current Position: Supply Practitioner since Feb 2026
