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

Alison Cuss

Level 4 - Manager

Alison was involved with both our Kempshott and Hatch Warren Under Fives Preschools for a number of years teaching yoga to our little ones. Through her preschool yoga classes we could see what a wonderful way she has of working with our children, so we were delighted when she joined our team at Kempshott Under Fives in 2020. 

Alison has a HNC in Early Childhood Studies (level 4) and has worked in childcare and school settings for over 20 years. She loves chatting to the children and building up their language skills and she is fully qualified to teach children's yoga. Speech and Language and Mental Health and Wellbeing in children are both areas she feels passionate about. She is a trained speech and language specialist and was invaluable in preschool during COVID when all outside speech and language services were unavailable or appointments delayed for families.

Alison was our acting Deputy manager in 2021/22 and stepped up to the Manager role in September 2022.

Alison enjoys crafting and baking in her spare time, especially with her two daughters.

Qualifications:

• Level 4 qualified (HNC Early Childhood Studies)
• Safeguarding Level 3
• DSL - safeguarding Level 4
• First Aid
• The Prevent Duty Trained 
• Food Hygiene Level 2

Louise Gibbs

Level 3 - Deputy 

SENCO

Louise joined us 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.  

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 - Early Years Practitioner

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