Melissa Gerding

Preschool Operations Manager

Melissa is responsible for the overall management of both our Kempshott and Hatch Warren Under Fives settings. Melissa's is a big role which includes, among many other things, supporting and line managing all staff, liaising with the Committee, overseeing safeguarding, health and safety and ensuring we remain complaint under the EYFS framework and Ofsted requirements.

Prior to moving into the Operations Manager role Melissa was the Manager of Kempshott Under Fives and before that she was a Deputy Manager at a large preschool in London. 

Melissa has a dog called Coco (who sometimes pops in to visit the children at preschool) and two children - she is kept busy at the weekends with football matches for both of her children.

Melissa loves her work with children and enjoys seeing them progress during their time at preschool.

Qualifications:

• NVQ Level 3
• Safeguarding Level 3
• DSL Safeguarding Level 4
• First Aid
• The Prevent Duty Trained
• Food Hygiene Level 2
• Level 3 Adult Mental Health: Workplace First Aider

Louise Gibbs

Manager, Level 3

SENCO

Louise joined us as Deputy in September 2019 and settled into the team as if she'd been with us forever! Louise, who is Level 3 qualified, started her childcare career at Snapdragons preschool in Basingstoke before moving to Kiddi Caru Nursery.  Before joining Kempshott Under Fives Louise was working at our sister setting, Hatch Warren Under Fives. She took over the Manager's role in May 2024.

Louise says "I absolutely love my job and look forward to going to work every day and watching the children learn and develop, it's such a great joy to be a part of their preschool journey."  She is also our setting SENCO.

Louise is a busy Mum of 3 children, she has a daughter and two sons.

Qualifications:

• NVQ Level 3
• First Aid 
• Safeguarding Level 3
• Prevent Duty Trained 
• Food Hygiene Level 2

Amy Cunningham

Level 3 - Deputy

Amy joined us in the Autumn term of 2022. She gained her Level 3 qualification in June 2022 after studying for two years at BCOT. She had been working at Kiddi Caru prior to joining the team at Kempshott Under Fives.

Amy is very creative and enjoys art and crafting. In her spare time she enjoys reading and she brings her love of books and reading into preschool to share with the children.

Qualifications:

• NVQ Level 3
• Safeguarding Level 3
• First Aid
• Prevent Duty Trained 
• Food Hygiene Level 2

Suzi Summers

Level 3 - Early Years Practitioner

Suzi joined Kempshott Under Fives in 2022 having previously worked at Westside Preschool. She qualified back in 1995 and has a long standing passion for working with children. She finds working with preschool children fun and rewarding and loves being part of their learning journey. Suzi is a very gentle and nurturing character and has also worked in caring roles.

Suzi has lived in Basingstoke all her life and has a teenage daughter who she loves spending time with. Suzi's other favourite pastimes are family holidays and walking with her dog, Freddie.

Qualifications:

• Level 3 qualified
• Safeguarding Level 3
• First Aid
• Prevent Duty Trained 
• Food Hygiene Level 2