Staff Team
Our skilled and experienced team are integral to the success of Ashbridge Nursery. All our Nursery Management Team, Early Years Teachers and Nursery Practitioners are dedicated to providing children with the opportunity to reach their full potential and all members of the team form excellent relationships with the children in their care. Together with the support of the Senior Leadership Team (link) they ensure that your child receives the best start in life by attending Ashbridge Nursery.
Natalie Pratt
Head of Nursery
Alex Goch-Saraczyn
Nursery Manager
Martha Hurst
Early Years Teacher
Stacey Mercer
Early Years Teacher
Nazma Ahmed
Director of HR and Nursery Operations
Lauren Manley
Outdoor Lead
Natalie Pratt
Head of Nursery
Qualifications: L5 Childhood StudiesCareer overview: My career at Ashbridge started at Lindle Lane where I worked as a Team Leader for a number of years. After perusing opportunities including Assistant Manager and Nursery Manager at other nurseries, I returned to Ashbridge as soon as the opportunity arose. I have been Head of Nursery at Ashbridge on Ribble since 2017.Professional interests: I enjoy watching children grow and learn, seeing their faces light up when they’re having lots of fun.Personal interests: In my spare time I enjoy long walks in the countryside with my family, including my mum Andrea who works at Lindle Lane. When I have chance I like to put my Physiology and Anatomy degree to use by massaging family and friends.
Alex Goch-Saraczyn
Nursery Manager
Qualifications: NVQ2, NVQ3 in childcare, Master degree in Management and Marketing, specialisation of Corporate ManagementCareer overview: I have worked for Ashbridge since March 2005, starting as a Nursery Nurse, then moving up to Room Leader, Team Leader, Deputy Manager and now Nursery Manager. I enjoy learning and have undertaken lots of courses, including a Team Leader course, GCSE in Maths and English, Business and Administration(QCF) and BCS Level 2 in IT User Skills (ECDL EXTRA,ITQ).Professional interests: My main interest lies in children’s development in the early years, particularly the importance of attachment and the role of a child’s Key Person. I also find staff development in the nursery setting very interesting and work hard to support my team with their professional development.Personal interests: I have lived happily in the UK since 2005 when I moved here from Poland. I am married to my best friend and we have a son, Igor. Igor was born in England and went to Ashbridge from being 10 months old until pre-school; he now attends Ashbridge Holiday Care in the school holidays. I love travelling, visiting new places and show the world to my son. We love camping and going for long walks.
Martha Hurst
Early Years Teacher
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Primary English with QTS, Early Years Teacher
Career overview: I started working for Ashbridge in Summer 2016 as a Nursery Practitioner and then moved to Year 2 as a Teaching Assistant. Following on from this I worked as the Reception class Teaching Assistant and Holiday Care Co-ordinator before moving to my current role as Early Years Teacher at Ashbridge on Ribble.
Professional interests: I am most interested in supporting children with speech and language learning needs. Seeing their progress is amazing and every small step is special.
Personal interests: I am recently married to Matt and dream of the day we own a sausage dog! I have been involved in Girlguiding since I was 5 and am now a qualified leader at my local Brownies, provided the girls with amazing opportunities.
Career overview: I started working for Ashbridge in Summer 2016 as a Nursery Practitioner and then moved to Year 2 as a Teaching Assistant. Following on from this I worked as the Reception class Teaching Assistant and Holiday Care Co-ordinator before moving to my current role as Early Years Teacher at Ashbridge on Ribble.
Professional interests: I am most interested in supporting children with speech and language learning needs. Seeing their progress is amazing and every small step is special.
Personal interests: I am recently married to Matt and dream of the day we own a sausage dog! I have been involved in Girlguiding since I was 5 and am now a qualified leader at my local Brownies, provided the girls with amazing opportunities.
Stacey Mercer
Early Years Teacher
Qualifications: BA (Hons) Education, Childhood and Youth Studies, PGCS Lower Primary
Career overview: I have worked for Ashbridge since 2019 but have seen the company grow and develop over the years due to close family links with the company. I work as an Early Years teacher at Ashbridge on Ribble having recently graduated from my PGCE following my degree at Liverpool Hope University.
Professional interests: Learning in the outdoors is a big interest of mine and one of the reasons I joined Ashbridge!
Personal interests: I enjoy spending my free time with my family; my father has close links with the company through his company and my nephew Arnie attends Ashbridge School, meaning there are always family members close by, even when I am at work!
Career overview: I have worked for Ashbridge since 2019 but have seen the company grow and develop over the years due to close family links with the company. I work as an Early Years teacher at Ashbridge on Ribble having recently graduated from my PGCE following my degree at Liverpool Hope University.
Professional interests: Learning in the outdoors is a big interest of mine and one of the reasons I joined Ashbridge!
Personal interests: I enjoy spending my free time with my family; my father has close links with the company through his company and my nephew Arnie attends Ashbridge School, meaning there are always family members close by, even when I am at work!
Nazma Ahmed
Director of HR and Nursery Operations
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Psychology, Leadership & Management (Care) Level 4, CMI Level 7 Leadership & Management
Career overview: I joined the Ashbridge family in June 2020 & support the people management across the organisation, working alongside managers and staff to help people realise their full potential. Prior to joining the Ashbridge family, I enjoyed various senior management roles in the Health and Social Care sector for over 15 years.
Professional interests: I have always been professionally interested in working with people and staff teams to achieve their aspirations by understanding the whole person and giving them the opportunities to experience new and diverse interactions. I enjoy seeing people realising their professional potential and supporting them to attain it. I also developed a strong belief in the importance of early years attachment whilst studying Psychology at university, and have got a passion for nurturing a child's emotional and social development to support them to explore the world around them.
Personal interests: I am married with 2 children - Manny and Nene both of whom have enjoyed accessing the fantastic resources and outdoor facilities at Lindle Lane. As a family we all love the outdoors and music. I have been a leader of a local Girlguiding unit for over 15 years and enjoy supporting the children there to access exciting and fun filled activities. My other biggest passion is food and cooking - I come from a long line of fantastic Bengali cooks and hope to continue the tradition with my children!
Career overview: I joined the Ashbridge family in June 2020 & support the people management across the organisation, working alongside managers and staff to help people realise their full potential. Prior to joining the Ashbridge family, I enjoyed various senior management roles in the Health and Social Care sector for over 15 years.
Professional interests: I have always been professionally interested in working with people and staff teams to achieve their aspirations by understanding the whole person and giving them the opportunities to experience new and diverse interactions. I enjoy seeing people realising their professional potential and supporting them to attain it. I also developed a strong belief in the importance of early years attachment whilst studying Psychology at university, and have got a passion for nurturing a child's emotional and social development to support them to explore the world around them.
Personal interests: I am married with 2 children - Manny and Nene both of whom have enjoyed accessing the fantastic resources and outdoor facilities at Lindle Lane. As a family we all love the outdoors and music. I have been a leader of a local Girlguiding unit for over 15 years and enjoy supporting the children there to access exciting and fun filled activities. My other biggest passion is food and cooking - I come from a long line of fantastic Bengali cooks and hope to continue the tradition with my children!
Lauren Manley
Outdoor Lead
Qualifications: BA Primary Education, Level 2 Forest School LeaderCareer Overview: I have been with Ashbridge on Ribble since March 2020 after working in the Education department at Brockholes Nature Reserve. As Outdoor Lead for River School I have got the amazing opportunity to work on a brand new site and develop the outdoor provision available. This includes running activities for the children that puts emphasis on the outdoors and learning about the natural world around them.Professional Interests: I aim to inspire a lasting love of the outdoors in all the children and look forward to continuing to follow this passion as River School develops.Personal Interests: I'm always looking for new ways to expand my knowledge of the outdoors and wildlife. In my spare time I enjoy trying new crafts and heading out to nature reserves with my camera.
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