'It's great to go out on a high': Founder of Northampton nursery retires today after 23 years

The retiree set up Puddleducks Day Nursery in January 1997 after 'social services under eights' - now Ofsted - asked her to step in when the previous nursery leader left.

"I did it as mums and tots in December, just to get to know the children," Sharon said. "Then I reopened in the January.

"Before that I was a childminder because my children were a lot younger and before that I got my child care qualification in 1977. I worked in children's homes and with children with special needs.

"Before I came in the children who had been coming here had been left with nothing."

Sharon, who was also a parish councillor for East Hunsbury, then opened a second nursery in 1999.

Queen Eleanor Pre-school remained open in Far Cotton for 20 years under her watchful eye before it shut last summer when the school became an academy.

"I've just loved working with children," Sharon emotionally added. "It's been lovely having party times and watching them grow up. I always see someone in town and they ask 'do you remember me?'

"I'm really proud of what we've achieved, we've always been a 'good' setting but now we are rated 'outstanding' and it's great to go out on a high."

When a 36-year-old Sharon first started Puddleducks Pre-School in Wootton she had just 24 children and now the nursery is registered for 32.

Pre-school worker, Julieanne Sinnamon, said Sharon has always gone above and beyond to make sure the children are happy.

"The children will miss her, she's so good with kids. She will sit at the table and the children will swarm around her.

"My children came to this pre-school and my grandchild is just missing out on having Sharon here - my daughter is so gutted about that. The place won't be the same without her."