OUR STAFF TEAM

OUR TEAM

Each and every member of our talented staff team has their own specialism, whether it be outdoor play, music, speech & language development, Signalong...and so on. All our original staff attended two weeks of intensive training before we opened, and further training is ongoing. Courses included Baby and Child First Aid, Signalong, Child Protection, GIRFEC, the Curriculums, Promoting Positive Behaviour, Partnership with Parents and Building the Ambition.

As a nursery we focus on continuing our professional development and take every opportunity to learn from each other, as well as participating in regular training courses. Please have a look at our Parent/Carer Handbook for more information about our commitment to training and developing each staff member's leadership skills by outlining our roles and responsibilities. A career as an Early Years Educator is so much more than "just childcare"!

Mel Scrimgeour

Director

Having completed my MA honours degree in Psychology and Linguistics (First Class) and my BSc in Speech Pathology and Therapy (Distinction), I worked as a Speech and Language Therapist for the NHS for 11 years, along with helping to run our family business. Always looking for a new challenge, I decided it was time for something different. I very much enjoyed running speech, language and communication groups and working in a nursery environment, and felt I could offer so much more than the experiences my own children had had at various local private nurseries. We found the ideal setting at Newbyres Hall. I run regular speech, language and communication groups at the nursery and use my skills, experience and knowledge to ensure that we are Getting It Right For Every Child, as well as upskilling our staff team with specialist training.

Marie Arthur

Operations Manager

From a young age I had decided that I wanted a career in the Early Years, so I began my HNC in childcare and education as soon as I left school. I have recently completed my PDA and am now in the third year of my BA Degree course in Childhood Studies. I have been working at a senior level in private nurseries ever since leaving college. I love being outdoors and enjoy giving the children in my care lots of different experiences, whether this is indoors or outdoors. In my spare time I love spending time with my family and friends as well as following my local football team with my husband and son.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

Please contact us for more information by email at newbyresnursery@gmail.com or phone on 01875 898060.

Yvonne Clark

Early Learners - Senior Practitioner

I was brought up on our family Farm in West Linton, and I have a keen interest in the outdoors and animals, especially horses. I started my training in a nursery around 10 years ago as a support worker and have worked my way up. I have just completed my PDA level 8 in Childhood Practice.

Zoe Donaghy

3-5s - Deputy Manager

I am 28 years old and I have 6 years’ experience working as Early Learners Supervisor at a private nursery in Edinburgh. I enjoy working with the children to create learning experiences based around their interests and the Curriculum for Excellence. I am SVQ 3 qualified and will soon be working towards my SVQ 4 in Leadership and Management. In my spare time I like to read and socialise with friends. Childcare has been my choice of profession since I was small. I am really looking forward to taking on the new challenge of being Deputy Manager at St Pauls and working with all the Early Learners children and staff!

Ann Wright

0-3s Deputy Manager

Before starting at Newbyres 2 years ago, I had 17 years’ experience working as a Practitioner in a local setting, gaining my SVQ3 qualification along the way. My aim is to provide a safe and fun environment for the children to enjoy and thrive in, and I take pride in the many children I have watched develop and grow while in my care. In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit by doing outdoor boot camp with my son and spending time with my twin girls.

Laura Bennett

Talkative Tots Supervisor P/T

I have worked in the private nursery sector for 23 years. I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in 2003, and I have worked in a senior role ever since. I have continuously expanded my knowledge in the early years by attending various courses to continue my professional development. I have extensive knowledge of child development, and tailor experiences to suit each individual child’s interests and stage of development. I love to sing to the babies. In my spare time I love spending time with my children, where we enjoy going on little adventures outdoors and swimming together.

Ailish McGowan

Talkative Tots - Supervisor

I have worked in the private nursery sector for 12 years. I qualified in 2017 and have worked as a qualified practitioner and a supervisor ever since. I enjoy all aspects of a nursery setting, especially getting messy with the children. I enjoy attending regular courses to extend my knowledge of child development, and ensure I can provide exciting and developmentally appropriate experiences for the children in my care. In my spare time I enjoy exploring the outdoors, and relaxing with my family and friends.

Jessica Murray

Early Learners Supervisor

I am a qualified Nursery Practitioner and I started to work in nurseries as a new career path after being a lifeguard for a few years, but I can safely say that this is my forever job. I love baking, being creative, exploring in the outdoors and storytelling with children using our imagination! I am so excited to be offered this role at Newbyres as I feel I have so much to offer, and having worked closely with Zoe at another nursery I know we will make a fantastic team!

Ashleigh Dick

Talkative Tots - Senior Practitioner

I have been qualified for a few years now and also did my training at Newbyres. I grew up around lots of children in my family and have always helped look after them, and because of this always wanted to work with children. After working with the older children during lockdown, I was given the opportunity to move down to the Chatterbox 2s room. I found the timing of this room change great as it gave the children moving from the Talkative Tots a familiar face to further support that transition. Now I am delighted to be back in the Talkative Tots room, to help the Supervisor plan quality experiences for the children. My favourite activities with the children are messy play activities such as shaving foam and gloop play, as well as arts & crafts. After taking part in a Signalong course, I enjoy practicing this with the children during our group time.

Taylor Dunlop

Chatterbox 2s - Senior Practitioner

I was recommended Childcare and Early Years as a career by many people due to my caring and artistic nature, and haven’t looked back since. I am a qualified Practitioner having completed my SVQ3 in Childcare and Education. In 2016 I volunteered at a nursery in Malawi during an expedition, where I helped look after orphaned babies and toddlers. At nursery, I love getting involved with sensory and messy play activities as the children learn so much from these experiences. In my spare time I enjoy seeing my family and friends, as well as taking part in dance classes where I also help out with the younger children.

Jodi McGuire

Early Learners - Senior Practitioner

I am a qualified Nursery Practitioner with almost 13 years experience - mainly as a Senior Practitioner or Supervisor. I have worked with children aged 0 - 8 years old and also have two young sons of my own. I have a lot of experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and have completed numerous training courses on this to ensure I can offer the best help and support possible to both children and their families. In my spare time I enjoy going for walks with my family and our Border Terrier, Reuben.

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