About Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery
Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery is a charity-run nursery in Staveley, Chesterfield, created to give children the best start in life while supporting families and the wider community.
About Us
As a not-for-profit nursery, every penny we receive is reinvested into the setting – from improving facilities to providing training for our dedicated staff. Our ethos is simple: to provide high-quality childcare where every child feels safe, supported and inspired to learn.
Unlocking the Gold
in Every Child
Our story
We are proud to be known as a nursery that not only provides excellent early years education, but also stands alongside local families to make a positive difference.
Our Community
A Staveley Nursery at the Heart of the Community
Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery is deeply rooted in the Staveley community. We know that children thrive when they feel part of something bigger, which is why community is central to our approach.
The Edge Project
Our award-winning partnership with the Staveley Edge Centre turned a disused garden into a thriving children’s allotment. Children learn how food is grown, bring produce back for nursery meals, and donate half of the harvest to the local food bank.
Local Involvement
Family Support
We also support parents through friendly drop-in sessions and advice on speech and language, toilet training and healthy eating. Families know they can come to us not just for childcare, but for practical help and reassurance.
Treasures is proud to be recognised nationally for community impact, but our greatest achievement is the strong relationships we build with children, parents and neighbours every day.
Our Building & Environment
A Purpose-Built Nursery in Staveley
In 2025, Treasures opened a brand new nursery building in Staveley to give even more families access to high-quality childcare in Chesterfield.
Our new site has been designed especially for early years children. Bright, safe and welcoming, it offers dedicated rooms for different age groups, cosy reading corners, imaginative play areas and secure outdoor spaces.
Together with our original nursery, we now operate across two Staveley sites, doubling the number of places available to local children.
We believe children learn best when they feel at home in their environment. That’s why every detail of our building – from the layout to the resources – has been designed to inspire curiosity, independence and joy.
Meet the Treasures Nursery Team
The heart of Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery is our team of highly trained, caring and dedicated staff.
Tracey Dakin
Senior Nursery Manager
My name is Tracey and I have been working in childcare for over 30 years. I have extensive experience of working with families and other professionals, to ensure children have the best nursery experience and are as ready as they can be for their transition to school.
I have been at Treasures for 20 years and was the Nursery Manager before being appointed as Senior Nursery Manager 18 months ago. My passion is seeing children blossom from being shy, wary and apprehensive to them becoming confident, inquisitive learners.
I am proud to lead a staff team full of enthusiasm, dedication and commitment, to ensure all the children who come to Treasures are given the best possible start in life they deserve.
Joanne
Nursery Manager
My name is Joanne, although the children call me JoJo. I have always had a passion for working in early years and knew from a very young age that caring for and supporting children was exactly what I wanted to do.
I have now worked as a Nursery Nurse for 17 years at Treasures, supporting children and their families and building strong, positive relationships along the way.
In May 2025, I progressed into the role of Nursery Manager for the Under 2s, a role I am incredibly passionate about and proud to have taken on.
For me, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is watching children grow in confidence, develop their own little personalities and reach new milestones.
I particularly love encouraging their imagination, communication and language skills, and creating a warm, nurturing environment where every child feels happy, secure and able to thrive.
Donna
Deputy Manager
My name is Donna and I have over 30 years experience in early years, most of which working with the under 2’s, giving me a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this age group.
I have been at Treasures since 2015 and became the Deputy Manager in 2025, working in the Tiny Treasures room. I enjoy watching the little ones grow and develop and feel privileged to be a part of their learning journey.
Caroline
EYFS Lead
My name is Caroline and I am the EYFS Lead in Treasure Seekers 2. My career began at Treasures Nursery over 20 years ago when the nursery first opened.
I hold a Foundation Degree in Children & Young People’s Services and have experience of working in a multitude of settings including the NHS as an SEN Teaching Assistant and in Cyprus on a British Forces base.
My ambition in early years is to encourage all children to connect to nature and natural learning outdoors, that supports their mental health and wellbeing.
I’m proud to work in a setting that supports the individual needs of every child and embeds itself in the heart of the local community.
Kerry
Nursery Cook
My name is Kerry and I am the Nursery Cook at Treasures. I trained in childcare over 25 years ago and have worked at Treasures since it opened in 2004. I originally worked as a Nursery Nurse in Tiny Treasures and Little Gems before moving to work in the kitchen 5 years ago after discovering a passion for cooking.
I thrive on creating exciting seasonal food menus and providing the children with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks whilst at nursery. You may also see me pop in the rooms to support the children as this is still an aspect of the job I really enjoy and the children will always have my heart.
Our Trustees
As a charity-run nursery, Treasures is supported by a dedicated board of trustees who help guide our vision and ensure everything we do benefits the children, families and community we serve.
Margaret Mason OBE
Margaret Mason OBE is one of the UK’s leading childcare experts and has devoted her career to raising standards in early years education. In 1988 she founded Children 1st Day Nurseries in Long Eaton, growing it from a single setting into one of the country’s most respected nursery groups, caring for thousands of children and employing hundreds of people across Derbyshire and beyond. Many of her nurseries achieved Ofsted Outstanding ratings.
Margaret became the first Chair of the National Day Nurseries Association, helping to raise professional standards and give a national voice to childcare providers. She was awarded an OBE in 2017 for Services to Education, and in 2025 received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nursery World Awards in recognition of a career spanning more than 70 years. She sold Children 1st to national provider Storal in 2024, securing the future of the nurseries she built.
Julia Mason
Julia Mason is a highly experienced operations leader within early years education. She has held every role within a nursery setting and worked her way up to Operations Director, overseeing 24 nurseries and working with thousands of children and parents. Her hands-on understanding of nursery life, from the playroom to the boardroom, gives her a rare depth of insight into what makes a setting thrive.
She brings this operational expertise and a genuine commitment to children and families to her role as a trustee.
Chris Mitchell
Chris Mitchell is a marketing and PR specialist who has worked with clients across the early years sector for 14 years.
He brings communications expertise and a long-standing commitment to the childcare community to his role as a trustee.
Our Advisers
Our advisers bring specialist knowledge, experience and fresh perspectives to support the continued development of Treasures.
Laura Wildin
Laura Wildin brings over 20 years’ experience in childcare to her role as an adviser. A dedicated and highly experienced practitioner, she has led Ofsted Outstanding settings in Derbyshire and offers practical, front-line knowledge of delivering the highest standards of early years care.
She brings this hands-on expertise and a deep understanding of what makes children flourish to her role advising the charity.
Our Staff
Together, our team creates a calm, welcoming atmosphere where children feel secure and inspired. Families often describe Treasures as “an extension of their own family” – and that’s exactly what we aim to be.
Local Involvement
Why Choose Treasures?
When it comes to choosing a nursery in Staveley or Chesterfield, here’s why families choose Treasures:
- Award-winning nursery, recognised nationally for community impact.
- Purpose-built nursery building designed for early years learning.
- Two sites in Staveley, offering more local childcare places.
- Exceptional staff, led by highly respected manager Tracey Dakin.
- Strong community partnerships, including our allotment project and local initiatives.
- Nurturing environment, where every child feels safe, valued and inspired to learn.
At Treasures Neighbourhood Nursery, we don’t just provide childcare – we give children and families the foundations for a brighter future.
What Parents Say…
The staff at Treasures are so warm and caring. My little one runs in every morning with a big smile — she absolutely loves it!
Treasures feels like a second home. The team really understand each child and bring out the best in them.
We couldn’t ask for a better start for our son — he’s learned so much and made lovely friends too.
Start Your
Adventure
at Treasures!
Ready to begin your child’s learning journey with us? We can’t wait to welcome you aboard. Come and see our nursery, meet our friendly crew, and discover why every day at Treasures is an adventure worth sharing.
