A family has paid tribute to a "warm" and "kind" grandmother and playgroup leader who taught generations of youngsters.

Jean Chalkley, from Dartford, passed away on Christmas Eve, aged 79, after a year-long battle with cancer.

The mum-of-three ran the popular Brent Playgroup in St Vincents Road for more than 30 years and had lived a life "full of love, boundless generosity and kindness".

Her role brought much joy to the local community with the group lovingly dubbed as “Jean’s Playgroup”.

During Jean's three-decade long teaching career she "saw through generations" of families and often found herself teaching toddlers who would later bring in their own children once adults themselves.

In a touching tribute posted online, her family said her passing had "left a hole" in their hearts.

"With time for everyone and always a word of encouragement and smile, she gently inspired confidence and self-belief in those who knew her," they said.

"Her positivity, generosity of spirit and warm humour could make a grey day seem bright."

The playgroup leader moved to Kent from Notting Hill, West London in 1963.

Jean first worked at the now defunct Boroughs Wellcome Foundation pharmaceutical site, a former Victorian medicine factory in Dartford.

It was there she met and later married her husband Robert and the couple, who lived in Howard Road, went on to have three children together.

The grandmother-of-four had always wanted a large family and dedicated much of her life to caring for and helping young people.

Eldest daughter Sarella Chalkley said: "When she was young she wanted to work for Barnardo's but it didn't happen for some reason.

"She wanted six children, but thankfully she stopped at three!"

Sarella, 46, paid tribute to her mum's selfless spirit and bravery in the face of her declining health.

"Mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer last December and she fought it valiantly to the end," she said.

"She was always the most positive person. Even when she was told the cancer was terminal she remained positive and didn't want anyone to feel down."

At the age of 70 Jean went back to college to get an NVQ childcare qualification, a new requirement for her to continue to lead the playgroup.

Prior to her cancer diagnosis Jean had been informed of an atrial fibrillation – an irregular heart beat – but still wanted to continue working.

She kept the playgroup, which she purchased in 1988, only selling it four months before her death last year.

Her daughter Sarella said her mum was very kind and level-headed and was someone who gave "fantastic, sensible advice".

She added: "She was an amazing mum who was always there for us and you could go to her with anything.

"Just everything you could ever want or need from a mum."

Jean loved spending time with her family and Sarella says she and her siblings hold many "happy memories" of regular summer and Easter holidays spent camping.

Following her passing, the family say they have been touched by all the lovely messages of support and condolences.

Sarella said: "When I was a child we would seemingly stop and talk with everyone on the way into town. At the time it drove me mad, but now I realise it just showed how well known and liked she was.

"We all knew she was wonderful but she must have touched many people's lives."

A few years before Jean passed, the family took a nostalgic trip to see where their mum had grown up in Notting Hill Gate, London.

Her parents had run a fishmonger's at 188 Westbourne Grove which at the time of the visit was a boutique clothing store, WtR.

They were surprised to find sometime later that it had been taken over by Gwnyth Paltrow as part of the launch of her lifestyle brand Goop.

Jean's Brent Playgroup will celebrate its 50th anniversary later this month and there are plans to plant a tree in Jean's memory.

Jean is survived by husband Robert, daughters Sarella and Hanah, son Adam, and grandchildren Isabella, Daniel, Tabitha and Saskia.

She had supported many various charities in her lifetime and it was her wish that in place of floral tributes any donations be made to ellenor, her chosen charity.

The family said ellenor were "absolutely outstanding" in supporting their mum during her final months.

At the time of writing nearly £1,000 has been raised. Click here to contribute.