Senior Governance & Leadership
Managing Director
Penny Seward, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, Paediatric First Aider
Penny & her husband Lee felt called to Kent just after they married 20 years ago, however they didn’t make the journey until 2007. They set up Graceworks Ministries in 2015 which would be the main not for profit vehicle for birthing projects to help families in the local and wider community of Dover, the first one being Kingdom Preschool which would see them putting together a facility that provided affordable, quality childcare for everyone to access.
Penny has a big heart for people and is passionate about staff development and family provision, knowing that looking after both equals good outcomes for children. Penny has a business background grown from sales & marketing; and in 2025 obtained her BA in Early Childhood Studies with first class honours. Penny believes that being a not-for-profit organisation allows them to focus on re-investing in the setting, its staff and families.
Setting Manager
Laura Rigden, BA (Hons) Early Years Management and Leadership, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Paediatric First Aider
Laura is one of early years biggest advocates after being in the sector for over 15 years. She started off as an apprentice and worked her way up to management whilst studying for her BA Hons in Early Years Leadership. She has been instrumental in her previous company’s staff development programmes and lead one of her settings to achieve Ofsted Outstanding.
With a passion for creating amazing and inspiring opportunities that bring awe and wonder to children, she believes very much in child centred, play based learning. Joining us in 2022, Laura has high aspirations for Kingdom and is focused on a quality service for our families and children. She has been integral to us being able to manage the immense growth we have experienced whilst being able to maintain the level of services our families have come to expect.
Assistant Manager
Becca Dunmore, Level 3 Early Years, Level 3 Forest School Lead, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Paediatric First Aider
Becca is Assistant Manager here at Kingdom, although she has been in early years for over 20 years. She has studied to level 5 in management and leadership and has managed the setting herself in the early days. Becca has a passion for the outdoors and is an excellent qualified forest school leader, who was integral in establishing our wonderful forest school provision. Overseeing the operational and everyday performance of the staff teams, she is passionate about our children and families, ensuring that we provide the best outcomes for all. Becca lives in Dover with her husband and 2 children, and she has been with Kingdom since 2018.
Business Manager
Jenny Jarman, Paediatric First Aider
Jenny joined the Kingdom family in 2018 after 20 years of owning and running a business. Her responsibilities include all aspects of children’s registration, funding, invoicing, and managing HR records. Among other things Jenny is our buyer, and events bursar, as well as overseeing our support staff team which includes a busy administration department of 3 staff, 2 maintenance staff and of course our fantastic catering team of 3.
Having a background in catering she loves all things food, cooking and eating and has instilled this love into her 2 daughters.
Leadership Team
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Our Leadership Team is made up of highly qualified, experienced professionals who are deeply passionate about early years education. At Kingdom, we don’t just recruit dedicated individuals- we invest in them. We actively support our team to continue their professional development, enabling staff to achieve Level 3 qualifications, Level 3 SEND and Forest School Leader qualifications, Level 6 degrees, and Qualified Teacher Status.
We are proud to offer a clear, robust career progression pathway that empowers our team to develop their skills, grow in confidence, and discover where they thrive. Our leaders are committed not only to their own excellence, but to nurturing the growth of others, ensuring the very best outcomes for our children and families remain at the heart of everything we do.
SENCO – Whole School
Danika Mote – BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Level 3 SENCO, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Paediatric First Aider
Early Years Curriculum Lead – Whole School
Rhiannon Woodhams – BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies & SEN
Qualified Early Years Teacher, Paediatric First Aider
Over 3’s Forest School Leader & Third in Charge
Lulu Truss – Level 4 Early Years NVQ & Forest School Leader Level 3
Designated Safeguarding Lead, Paediatric First Aider
Under 3’s Forest School Leader
Laura Vrabie – BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
Qualified Early Years Teacher, Paediatric First Aider
Head Chef – Whole School
Denise Stansfield
Level 3 Chef, Level 3 Leadership & Management, Paediatric First Aider
Denise joins us with many qualifications in catering and hospitality including a year studying her advanced Chef’s Diploma in Reims, France. She has also spent many years as a chef on P&O Ferries, for Saga and working for the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace. She now leads our team of 3 chefs here at Kingdom.
Room Supervisors Leadership Team
3-4’s Lions Supervisor
Jack Gibbs
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Paediatric First Aider
Over 2’s Lambs Supervisor
Vicky Amos
BA (Hons) Animal Management, Level 3 Early Years Practitioner, Paediatric First Aider
Over 2’s Baby Lambs Supervisor
Georgia Budge
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner, Paediatric First Aider
Under 2’s Fawns Baby Room Supervisor
Millie Snow
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner, Paediatric First Aider
Under 2’s Doves, Baby Rooms Supervisor
Suzy Chapman
Level 3 Early Years Practitioner, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Paediatric First Aider
Senior Practitioners
Senior Practitioner
Debra Reardon
Level 4 Early Years Practitioner, Paediatric First Aider
Senior Practitioner
Ellie Jordan
Level 6 – BA (Hons) Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status, Paediatric First Aider