Meet the TEAM
We have a strong, professional, committed team to care for your child. Dandelions is led by our Pre-School Manager who holds a BA (hons) degree in Childhood Studies.
The Pre-School Manager works closely alongside our Management Committee.
Our Senior Early Years Practitioner holds an Early Years Professional status and all other Practitioners hold and NVQ Level 3.
Our team also consists of two apprentices who are working towards an NVQ Level 2 and two Trainee Practitioners working towards Level 3. Our team also consists of an apprentice, working towards her NVQ Level 3 and two trainee early years practitioners working towards their Level 3.
At Dandelions, your child’s safety is paramount. All of our team are pediatric first aid training which is refreshed every 3 years.
All staff and Committee have an enhanced DBS and all staff plus the chair of the Committee have level 3 Safeguarding Training.
The Designated Safeguarding Officer and the Designated Safeguarding lead hold level 4.
All staff undertake FGM, Prevent Duty and food allergy training.
When your child starts at Dandelions, you will be offered a home visit. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your child’s key worker in the comfort of your own home. On your child’s first day, you will spend time again with your child’s key worker. This provides an opportunity to start to build that important relationship with child, parent and key worker.
We also support students from local colleges and year 10 students through work experience.
Dandelions Team 2025
Kelli-Ann Rushton - Preschool Manager and Designated Safeguarding Officer/SENCO
Kelli has been the Manager at Dandelions since February 2022. Kelli has a long history with Dandelions going back to 2009 when she joined the committee, it was through this that she realised she had found the career path she wished to take and embarked on her Level 3. Since then, Kelli has completed many courses and in 2020 Kelli finished her BA Hons Degree in Childhood Studies.
Kelli has a proven track record in successfully running Dandelions, establishing a strong team and creating a curriculum designed to meet the needs of all children.
Kelli values the importance of her own continuous professional development and that of her team, allowing for both personal progression and continuously reflecting on how to keep Dandelions the best it can be.
Erin Scahill - Early Years Practitioner / Trainee SENCO
Erin began her career in Early Years in 2015 when she became a student Apprentice.
She studied and successfully completed the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework level 2&3 and has worked with children from birth to 4 years.
Erin joined Dandelions in 2023 as an Early Years Practitioner. She classes herself as a professional and holds a wealth of experience. She dedicates herself to supporting children in early years as they embark on their educational journey.
Amelia Barker - Early Years Practitioner
Amelia joined Dandelions in October 2022. She has a strong passion for working with children within early years and feels it is a real privilege to be able to care for children and contribute to their growth and development in a rich learning environment alongside a fantastic team.
Amelia is very family orientated. She is married and has 3 children (and a dog). Her children attended Dandelions, and it during this time she realised that once they were all at school, she would go on to start a career within early years.
Being able to nurture children comes naturally to Amelia and she knew this would be the career path she would like to take.
Amelia qualified in February 2025 as an Early Years Practitioner level 3 and feels fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work and learn in a job she is so passionate about.
De'Anne Bydile - Administration Assistant
De’Anne joined Dandelions as an Administrator in May 2018. She holds a strong background in both customer service and administration.
De’Anne is responsible for providing high quality administrative support . She maintains all of the records and data held by the PreSchool on children & families following retention guidelines and GDPR.
De’Anne manages headcounts and updates on our waiting lists .
Skye Watkins - Apprentice Early Years Practitioner
Skye joined us as an Apprentice Early Years Practitioner.
Skye has spent time supporting young family members who have additional needs. It is through this, Skye realised her passion is to be working with young children and in particular, has an interest in supporting children with additional needs.
Sue Iveson - Early Years Practitioner
Sue’s childcare experience began in 2002 when she worked with children and families in social social services within a children’s home setting, preparing children for long term foster placements. During this role she studied and completed an NVQ3 specialising in young people.
After having her own three children she became an LSA at a local primary school, leading her to become an early years practitioner. Sue achieved a CACHE level 3 diploma in early years.
Outside of work Sue enjoys going on spa days, long walks in the countryside and being with her family by the seaside.
Tracy Benzeval - Deputy Manager
Tracy has been Deputy at Dandelions since September 2022. Tracy has extensive knowledge of working within Early Years settings and key stage 1 environments. Tracy has experience of working with children wit additional needs, 1:1 support and running rooms and settings. Tracy has an interest in children’s well-being and promoting this through a range of relaxation techniques. Tracy regularly does group activities involving yoga and practicing calming techniques.
Nicola Ledington - Senior Practitioner and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Nicola has been working at Dandelions since October 2018. Back in 2011, Nicola began training as an Early Years Professional and holds Early Years Professional Status (equivalent Level 6). Nicola has worked at local Nurseries and preschools gaining valuable knowledge and experience. Nicola has trained in Safeguarding Level 4 with her knowledge being continuously updated through various courses.
Claire Brayshaw - Early Years Practitioner
(
Maternity Leave January 2025)
Claire been working at Dandelions since September 2022. Claire has around 8 years experience working in the childcare sector and is passionate about delivering fun and educational activities and creating diverse, purposeful play opportunities that help support each individual child’s needs and interests
Claire is level 3 qualified in childcare and has completed various courses throughout the years including SENCo training, safeguarding , food hygiene, first aid and many more.
Sadie Hunt -
Trainee Early Years Practitioner
Sadie joined us in October 2022 as an Early Years Level 2 Practitioner.
She is now working towards her Level 3
Sadie is passionate about supporting children’s learning and development and her ambition is to become a primary school teacher.
Sadie has already established great relationships with the children and displays a caring nature towards teach child’s individual needs.
Holly Masters - Early Years Practitioner
Holly first joined Dandelions in October 2022 as a member of the Committee where she volunteered as a Secretary.
Through this and seeing her own children develop during their time with us, Holly made the decision to enhance her passion within Early Years and began studying for a Level 3 Diploma and took on a trainee position with us in December 2023.
Holly loves to be outside with the children and and getting messy in the mud kitchen. She enjoys creating fun and exciting sensory trays that inspire the children’s imagination and creativity.
Natalie Cassell - Trainee Early Years Practitioner
Natalie has always wanted to work with children and before having her my own she had the privilege of working in a school, supporting and developing children from 4 - 18years which she absolutely loved.
After having her young family Natalie knew her passion for working with children was something she still wanted to develop and progress.
Natalie’s view is when children play they are learning at the highest level. She loves to explore new things with them and use imagination to go on exciting adventures.
In Natalie’s spare time she loves being outdoors and going on adventures with her own children, she particularly loves the seaside.