Meet the Team
Natalie Bolt, Manager
Natalie joined Rub-A-Dub in 2011 as a member of our bank staff team, after volunteering as parent help when her youngest daughter attended Rub-A-Dub. Her position become permanent on the team soon after and she completed a Level 3 Diploma in the Children and Young Persons Workforce. She had previously had a career break to bring up her family of four and travel and live overseas. Childcare was a change in career for Natalie as she previously worked in Hospitality Management. Childcare quickly became a passion to Natalie and she was promoted to Manager in 2014. Since becoming Manager, Natalie has implemented a number of curriculum changes and is always seeking to improve the resources and deliver the highest quality of childcare. Natalie has four grown up children of her own and in her spare time she enjoys crafting, reading and spending time with her family.
Alex Paddon, Deputy Manager & Forest School Lead
Alex started her early years journey when her youngest daughter started attending Rub-A-Dub in 2011. She volunteered as parent help which then led to her becoming a member of the Bank Staff team. She then took on a more permanented position of Preschool Assistant. She completed her level 3 Diploma for the children’s workforce – Early years educator, whilst working alongside the children at Rub-A-Dub. She was promoted to Deputy Manager in 2019. She loves outdoors and jumped at the chance to become our Forest School Leader. She completed her Level 3 Forest School Leader training in November 2023. Prior to working in early years she graduated from University with a BA HONS Degree in Business Studies and worked within the NHS and Housing Sector. She is married with two daughters and has two small dogs. She has recently discovered she actually enjoys running and can be found most Saturday mornings at a local Parkrun.
Nicola Ward, Senior Preschool Assistant & SENCO Lead
Nicola joined Rub-A-Dub in 2018 having previously been working in childcare for 12 years. Nicola has been the SENCO Lead since September 2022. Nicola is patient and compassionate with a range of experience in providing support to children facing developmental delays and learning difficulties. She has a strong understanding of what these children need to thrive in a preschool environment and has been an invaluable help to many children throughout her time at Rub-A-Dub.
Nicola has a CACHE Level 3 NVQ in Children’s Care Learning and Development. She completed the Level 3 award for Special Educational Needs Coordination in Early Years settings in July 2024.
Nicola has two children and in her spare time she enjoys spending it with friends and family. She is currently learning Swedish and Norwegian.
Lucy Clayton, Preschool Assistant
Lucy joined Rub-A-Dub in 2020 and has been working in childcare since 2009. Lucy is the setting's Maths Lead and keeps up to date with training in this area to ensure the children have the best possible start to embedding Maths into their learning in a fun way. Lucy has a Level 3 Diploma in the Children and Young People's Workforce. Lucy lives with her partner and their two children. In her spare time she likes to visit the zoo, farm and enjoys exploring the outdoors. She is also a huge fan of the theatre.
Katie Thomas, Preschool Assistant
Katie joined Rub-A-Dub in 2023 having had a break from working in Childcare to raise her two children. Katie has been working with children since 2015. Katie has a Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Learning and Development – Early Years Educator. In her spare time Kate enjoys family days out with her husband and two children. Katie also loves to go camping, as she has a love for outdoors. Katie supports Alex to lead the Forest School Sessions at Rub-A-Dub.
Jess Norriss, Preschool Assistant
Jess joined the team in 2023 and is studying to obtain her Level 3 Qualification in Childcare alongside working at Rub-A-Dub. Having previously been working in animal care she decided on a career change as she realised her passion was working with children. In her spare time Jess enjoys spending time with her family walking her dogs. She has two lovely girls and is a dedicated dance mum.
Our Bank Staff
Like many small pre-schools we rely on a small group of people whom we can call upon should a member of staff is off sick, training or when we simply need an extra pair of hands! We are lucky to have a parent on the team, Maggie Meintjes and local childminder Jacqui Sykes.