Smiles Day Nursery

Kelly – Director

With more than 23 years of experience in childcare, Kelly is the visionary founder and Director of Smiles. Her journey into early years began following a successful career in nursing, where her passion for caring for others inspired her to pursue a new direction in childcare. After achieving her Level 3 Early Years qualification, she established her own childminding business and quickly recognised a growing need for high-quality wraparound childcare for local families.

Determined to make a difference, Kelly founded the first Smiles Breakfast and After School Club at Manorfield Primary School in 2006. Driven by her ambition to continually improve outcomes for children, she went on to study Child Psychology at the University of Warwick before expanding Smiles with additional settings at Gilmorton, Holliers Walk (now Hinckley Parks) and St Margaret's, building a trusted reputation for outstanding childcare across the local community.

In 2016, Kelly fulfilled a lifelong ambition by opening Smiles Day Nursery in Sapcote, creating a nurturing environment where children could learn, grow and thrive from their earliest years. This was followed by the opening of Smiles Pre-School at Hinckley Parks, further strengthening the Smiles family and providing a seamless childcare journey from babyhood through to school age.

Working alongside her husband, Simon, Kelly has transformed Smiles from a single school club into a thriving family of childcare settings built on shared values of kindness, quality and community. Together, they remain passionate about continually investing in their settings, their team and the experiences they provide for every child and family.

Despite leading a growing organisation, Kelly's greatest passion has never changed. She loves spending time in the settings, interacting with the children, supporting her teams and seeing first-hand the confidence, friendships and lifelong love of learning that develop through the Smiles experience.

Family has always been at the heart of Smiles. Kelly and Simon's four children have grown up alongside the business, either attending the settings or becoming valued members of the team while gaining their own childcare qualifications. This family ethos continues to shape the warm, welcoming culture that defines Smiles today.

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, travelling, hosting family dinners and games nights, and keeping active through running, the gym and her latest passion, paddleboarding. Read less

Simon – Finance Director

With over 30 years of experience in banking, finance and business management, Simon brings a wealth of commercial expertise and strategic leadership to Smiles. Having joined the organisation in 2014, he has played a pivotal role in its continued growth, helping transform Smiles into one of the region's leading childcare providers while ensuring the highest standards of financial governance and sustainability.

Before joining Smiles, Simon enjoyed a successful corporate career, holding senior management positions with Alliance & Leicester, including Retail Savings Manager and Support Services Manager, before moving to PCMS Group as Help Desk Manager. There, he led teams providing hardware and software support to some of the UK's largest retailers, including PC World, Currys, The Link and the Midlands Co-operative Group, developing extensive expertise in financial management, operational leadership, customer service and business strategy.

As Finance Director, Simon oversees every aspect of the organisation's financial operations, including strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, funding, payroll, compliance and investment. Working closely with the leadership team, he ensures Smiles remains financially strong and forward-thinking, allowing continual investment in outstanding environments, innovative resources and exceptional experiences for children and families.

Alongside his work in finance, Simon is also the inventor of the Mohdoh therapeutic product, developed to support children's development and wellbeing, reflecting his passion for innovation and improving outcomes for young people.

Simon is married to Kelly, Co-Director of Smiles, and together they have four children. As both parents and business owners, they share a commitment to creating the same safe, nurturing and inspiring environments for every child that they would want for their own family. Their shared vision and dedication have been at the heart of Smiles' continued growth and success.

Outside of work, Simon is a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter and enjoys keeping active through golf and regular visits to the gym. Read less

Zoe – Nursery Manager

Zoe is a highly experienced and passionate early years professional with over 20 years of experience in childcare. In May 2025, she made the exciting decision to relocate from the north of England to join the Smiles family as Nursery Manager, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge, expertise and a shared vision for delivering exceptional early years education.

Holding a Level 6 Degree in Early Childhood Studies, alongside an extensive portfolio of specialist professional training, Zoe has dedicated her career to helping children achieve the very best start in life. She is a passionate advocate for high-quality, play-based learning, believing that carefully planned, enabling environments inspire curiosity, creativity, confidence and a lifelong love of learning. Her child-centred approach ensures every child is valued as an individual and supported to flourish at their own pace.

As Nursery Manager, Zoe leads with warmth, integrity and ambition. She is committed to creating an inspiring culture where children, families and practitioners feel supported, valued and empowered. A strong believer in continuous improvement, she takes great pride in mentoring her team, nurturing future talent and encouraging professional development, ensuring the highest standards of care, education and safeguarding are consistently achieved throughout the nursery.

Outside of work, Zoe enjoys leading an active lifestyle through sport and outdoor activities and values spending quality time with her family. Her enthusiasm, experience and dedication make her an invaluable leader and an integral part of the Smiles family. Read less

Laura – Assistant Manager & SENCo

Laura is a Level 5 qualified early years professional and has been a valued member of the Smiles family for over seven years. As Assistant Manager and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), she is passionate about ensuring every child receives the support, encouragement and opportunities they need to flourish.

Committed to providing engaging, play-based learning experiences, Laura enjoys bringing creativity into the nursery through imaginative activities and sensory-rich messy play. She is always looking for new and exciting ways to inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and make learning fun for every child.

In her role as SENCo, Laura works closely with children, families and external professionals to ensure that every child is supported to reach their full potential within an inclusive and nurturing environment.

Outside of the nursery, Laura enjoys baking, taking on creative projects, exploring the countryside on scenic walks and spending quality time with her husband and family. Read less

Caroline – Early Years Practitioner

Caroline has worked with children for over 10 years and has been a valued member of the Smiles team for the past seven years. Her childcare journey began as a nanny before moving on to become a dance teacher, experiences that have given her a unique blend of creativity, movement and nurturing care that she brings into the nursery every day.

Passionate about helping children learn through play, Caroline enjoys creating fun, engaging experiences that encourage confidence, imagination and physical development. Her warm, caring nature helps children feel safe, valued and supported as they grow and develop.

Outside of the nursery, Caroline enjoys keeping active through gymnastics and aerial hoop. She also loves spending quality time with her husband and their two daughters, making the most of the outdoors and creating lasting memories through family adventures. Read less

Maddie – Discoverers Room Leader

Maddie joined the Smiles team in 2024 and is the Room Leader for the Discoverers room. Having recently achieved her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification, she is now further developing her expertise by working towards her Level 3 SENCo qualification.

Maddie is passionate about supporting every child's individual learning journey and loves watching children grow in confidence, develop new skills and blossom into their own unique personalities. She brings enthusiasm and energy to the room every day, creating fun, engaging experiences through messy play, singing, dancing and hands-on learning.

Outside of work, Maddie enjoys exploring new places on mini breaks and spending quality time with her family and friends. Read less

Kelly – Adventurers Room Leader

Kelly is the Room Leader for the Adventurers room and brings over 13 years of experience in early years education, with a background across both pre-school and primary school settings. She holds Level 2 and Level 3 childcare qualifications and spent seven years working as an EYFS Learning Support Assistant. During this time, she also trained as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA), developing specialist skills in supporting children with additional needs.

Kelly is passionate about helping every child reach their full potential, providing a nurturing environment where children feel confident, valued and encouraged to develop into their own unique individuals. She enjoys creating engaging learning experiences that build confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.

Outside of work, Kelly loves spending time outdoors, enjoying long walks and exploring new places with her dog. Read less

Natalie – Explorers Room Leader

Natalie is the Room Leader for the Explorers room and is a Level 3 qualified Early Years Practitioner with around 25 years of experience working in nursery settings. Throughout her career, she has remained passionate about supporting children's early learning and development, helping every child build the confidence and skills they need for the best possible start in life.

Committed to providing the highest standards of care, Natalie maintains up-to-date qualifications in Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding and Food Hygiene, ensuring children are cared for in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment.

Natalie enjoys creating engaging learning experiences that encourage children to explore, develop new skills and grow in confidence every day.

Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, listening to music and spending quality time with her family. Read less

Tasha – Early Years Practitioner

Tasha is a passionate and enthusiastic Early Years Practitioner who first joined the Smiles family in 2020. After leaving following the COVID pandemic, she realised just how much she missed being part of the Smiles team and was delighted to return in January 2025.

With nine years of experience working with children from birth to five years, Tasha is dedicated to creating a fun, caring and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and supported to reach their full potential. She loves watching children grow in confidence, develop new skills and thrive through play.

Committed to continuous professional development, Tasha recently achieved her Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification with flying colours and has also completed her Level 3 SENCo training. Her knowledge and enthusiasm help ensure every child receives the individual support and encouragement they need to flourish.

Tasha's caring nature, positive attitude and genuine passion for childcare make her a much-loved member of the Smiles team. Read less

Jessica – Early Years Practitioner

Jessica joined the Smiles family in March 2025 and brings 14 years of professional childcare experience to the team. She is a Level 3 qualified Early Years Practitioner and has completed a wide range of additional training throughout her career, ensuring she continues to provide the highest standards of care and education.

Passionate about helping children learn through play, Jessica enjoys creating warm, engaging environments where children feel safe, confident and inspired to explore. Her wealth of experience and caring nature enable her to build strong relationships with both children and their families.

As a busy mum to two young children herself, Jessica understands the importance of providing a nurturing, home-from-home environment where every child can thrive.

Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring zoos, parks, theme parks and local attractions, creating lasting memories together. Read less

Andy – Early Years Practitioner & Out of School Club Manager

Andy brings over 27 years of childcare experience to the Smiles team and fulfils two important roles within the organisation. During the mornings, he supports children in the Adventurers room at Smiles Day Nursery, while also managing the Smiles Manorfield Breakfast and After School Club.

Having worked with children of all ages throughout his career, Andy has developed a particular passion for supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). He is dedicated to helping every child build confidence, overcome challenges and reach their full potential in a caring, inclusive and supportive environment.

Andy enjoys creating positive relationships with children and their families and takes great pride in making a meaningful difference to each child's development and wellbeing.

Outside of work, Andy enjoys spending quality time with his three daughters, relaxing with a good television series and enjoying great food with family and friends. Read less

Mia – Early Years Practitioner

Mia is a Level 6 qualified education professional and is currently studying towards a Master's degree in Primary Education. Over the past five years, she has gained valuable experience working across both school settings and within Smiles Day Nursery, developing a strong understanding of children's early learning and development.

Passionate about early years education, Mia finds it incredibly rewarding to support children as they grow in confidence, develop new skills and learn through a wide variety of play-based experiences. She is committed to creating engaging environments where every child feels encouraged to explore, discover and reach their full potential.

Alongside her role at Smiles, Mia shares her love of dance by teaching young children while continuing to develop her own skills through regular dance classes. Her enthusiasm, creativity and energy help make learning both fun and inspiring for the children in her care. Read less

Natasha – Early Years Practitioner

Natasha joined the Smiles team in 2024 and is a valued member of the Adventurers room. She loves getting to know each child's unique personality and finds it incredibly rewarding to support them as they learn, play and grow every day.

Having already achieved her Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, Natasha has a strong foundation in children's care and development. She is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years qualification, further developing her knowledge and skills to provide the highest standards of care and education.

Natasha is passionate about creating a warm, supportive environment where children feel safe, valued and encouraged to explore, develop new skills and build confidence through play.

Outside of work, Natasha enjoys gaming—especially playing The Sims—and relaxing with a good film. Read less

Katherine – Early Years Practitioner

Katherine has worked with children for over 17 years, with much of her experience focused on supporting children aged 4 to 11 years before moving into her full-time role within the nursery. She first joined the Smiles family as a Playworker in the Breakfast and After School Club before making the transition into early years.

Passionate about helping children learn through play, Katherine loves building positive relationships with every child and creating a warm, nurturing environment where they feel happy, safe and confident. Her creative nature shines through in the engaging craft activities she plans, encouraging children to explore their imaginations while developing new skills.

Katherine takes great pride in helping children grow in confidence and independence, making every day fun, stimulating and full of opportunities to learn. Read less

Jan – Early Years Practitioner

Jan has been a valued member of the Smiles family for over eight years and has enjoyed working with children of all ages across the nursery. During her time at Smiles, she has supported the Breakfast and After School Clubs, worked within the toddler room and now enjoys caring for the nursery's youngest children in the baby room.

Jan finds great joy in watching children grow in confidence, reach important developmental milestones and progress through each stage of their nursery journey. She is passionate about creating fun, stimulating and enriching experiences that encourage children to learn through play in a warm and nurturing environment.

Her caring nature, wealth of experience and genuine love of working with children make her a much-valued member of the Smiles team.

Outside of work, Jan enjoys spending quality time with her family and grandchildren, exploring the countryside on long walks and making her annual trip to Turkey, where she previously lived, to visit friends and enjoy the local culture. Read less

Danielle – Early Years Practitioner

Danielle is a Level 2 qualified Early Years Practitioner who joined Smiles with previous experience working in a pre-school setting. Passionate about developing her skills, she is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years qualification, further expanding her knowledge and expertise.

Danielle enjoys the active, hands-on nature of childcare and loves creating exciting learning experiences through outdoor adventures, messy play, water activities and sensory exploration. She is committed to providing a fun, supportive and nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued and encouraged to learn through play.

Her enthusiastic approach and caring nature help children develop confidence, curiosity and independence while making every day enjoyable and engaging.

Outside of work, Danielle enjoys travelling on mini breaks, watching motor racing and spending time cooking for family and friends. Read less

Ruth – Early Years Practitioner

Ruth is a Level 2 qualified Early Years Practitioner who is currently working towards her Level 3 qualification. After previously working within the NHS and later as a housekeeper at Smiles, she discovered her true passion was working directly with children and made the move into an Early Years Practitioner role.

Having recently welcomed a little one of her own, Ruth brings both professional knowledge and personal experience to her role, giving her an even greater appreciation of the care, reassurance and support that young children and their families need.

Ruth loves creating fun, engaging learning experiences through messy play and sensory activities and has a particular interest in introducing babies and young children to sign language, helping to support their early communication and language development.

Her caring, enthusiastic nature and commitment to supporting every child's individual journey make her a valued member of the Smiles team.

Outside of work, Ruth enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring the outdoors on countryside walks and dancing whenever she gets the chance. Read less

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. One of my favourite aspects of my role is planning exciting, engaging activities for the children, 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 incredibly rewarding.

Outside of work, I have a passion for travel and love experiencing new places, cultures, and adventures. I thrive on embracing new opportunities and making lasting memories with my family and friends. Read less

Georgina – Early Years Practitioner

Georgina joined the Smiles family in August 2024, marking the beginning of her rewarding career in early years education. Since joining the team, she has embraced every opportunity to learn and develop and is currently working towards her Level 3 Early Years qualification.

Georgina is passionate about helping children discover the world around them and particularly enjoys taking them on outdoor walks, where they can explore nature, develop their curiosity and learn through real-life experiences. She believes that time outdoors provides invaluable opportunities for children to build confidence, independence and a love of learning.

Her calm, caring approach and enthusiasm for supporting children's development make her a valued member of the Smiles team.

Outside of work, Georgina enjoys spending time with her eight-year-old son and caring for her three horses, making the most of every opportunity to be outdoors. Read less

Becky – Housekeeper

Becky is a Level 3 qualified Early Years Practitioner with full Paediatric First Aid training. Although her role within Smiles is as Housekeeper, her childcare knowledge and experience give her a valuable understanding of the importance of maintaining a safe, healthy and welcoming environment for every child.

Thoughtful, caring and compassionate, Becky takes great pride in ensuring the nursery is kept spotlessly clean, hygienic and ready for each day's adventures. Her commitment to maintaining the highest standards helps create a safe environment where children can learn, play and thrive.

As a mum of three, Becky understands the reassurance families feel knowing their children are cared for in a clean, well-maintained setting, and she is proud to play such an important role within the Smiles team.

Outside of work, Becky enjoys spending quality time with her family. Read less

Debbie – Nursery Cook

Debbie is a Level 3 qualified Early Years Practitioner with full Paediatric First Aid training. Following her qualification, she spent 13 years working in a variety of childcare roles across different countries, gaining a wealth of experience before taking time out to raise her three children, who are now all teenagers.

As Nursery Cook at Smiles, Debbie plays an important role in supporting children's health and wellbeing by preparing fresh, nutritious and balanced meals each day. Her background in childcare gives her a unique understanding of the importance of healthy eating in children's growth, development and enjoyment of mealtimes, and she takes great pride in creating meals that children look forward to.

Her caring nature, extensive experience and passion for providing high-quality food make her an invaluable member of the Smiles team.

Outside of work, Debbie enjoys cycling with her husband, taking her three dachshunds on long countryside walks and spending quality time with her family and friends. Read less