Our Staff Team

The professional, well qualified, highly skilled staff are Riverside Childcare’s greatest resources.

The owners of the nursery also own an additional successful nursery within another Local Authority.
There are two managers, both of whom have successfully completed their BA in Childhood Practice.
All rooms are overseen by experienced supervisors and each room has a senior staff member who oversees the room in their absence.
Early Years Practitioners and Modern Apprentices provide a rich, creative and challenging environment.
There is an Additional Support Needs Co-ordinator to ensure that all children achieve their full potential.

The cook produces nutritious, well balanced meals following national guidance.
All employees are carefully selected and PVG checked prior to appointment and are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council.

Riverside Childcare is committed to investing in the continuous training and development of staff to ensure that our exceptionally high standards are maintained.

Our children have drawn our staff, please see below for our wonderful drawings and to find out more information about each staff member

Ashleigh Campbell

Hi, my name is Ashleigh and I have worked at Riverside since 2002 (I know I don’t look that old☺) I have been Preschool Supervisor for the past 19 years. I am out going, fun, and very passionate about my work. I love my job, and in particular, supporting our children to have the skills needed to be successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens. I liaise closely with the local schools to ensure our children have happy and positive transitions. Watching the Poppies grow, flourish and achieve is the best part of my job. Children are the future….believe in the beauty of their dreams..

Sarah Wales

My name is Sarah and I am a Modern Apprentice at Riverside Childcare. I started my training in October 2020 and I have worked in Bluebells and Poppy Seeds. My favourite part of the job is seeing the smiles on the children’s faces every day 🙂

Caitlin Connor

My name is Caitlin Connor, I have been a qualified practitioner for 3 years now and have been at Riverside Childcare since August 2020. I currently work in Poppies with the Pre-School children, I feel privileged to be a part of our children’s last years at nursery before transitioning to school. My job is rewarding because I have the opportunity to make an impact on a child’s journey through their early years and I am able to witness as they develop and thrive.

Carol Ritchie

Hi, my name is Carol. I have worked at Riverside since 2003 and have been Supervisor in Bluebells for 5 years now. I have worked with all age groups but, Bluebells is my favourite. Messy play has got to be what I’m known for most! I love to see the children express themselves with paints or using their senses to explore.

Caroline Ready

My name is Caroline. I have worked at Riverside since 2003 and spent most of my time working in the 3-5 room. In December 2015 I became Manager and successfully completed my BA in Childhood Practice in May 2019. I have used my years of experience within the nursery to help support the staff in all playrooms and develop relationships with all of the children and parents. I am also the Health and Safety Officer within the nursery and collaborate with staff and children to introduce new and exciting risky play experiences and explore the benefits this brings to the children.

David Bell

Hi, my name is David, I started at Riverside in August 2020 as a Childcare Practitioner in Training. I have really enjoyed the time I have spent in the 2-3 & 3-5 room’s and I am now a qualified Early Years Practitioner in the Poppies. I believe the best part of my time at Riverside is watching the children develop and grow and teaching them skills for learning, life, and work.

Sinead Halpin

My name is Sinead and I’m a Modern Apprentice at Riverside Childcare. I have worked at Riverside since March 2021 and I am currently working in the Poppies Room. I love working with the children and seeing them achieve new skills, develop their knowledge and just have fun. It’s always rewarding to see them happy!!!

Emma Quail

My name is Emma, and I am the Supervisor in the Poppy Seed Room. I qualified with my HNC in Childhood Practice in 2017 and I have worked at Riverside since 2018. I love bonding with the children through play and I take pride in making sure the children’s environment is inviting and full of fun age with stage appropriate experiences. My job is very rewarding, and I am glad to be able to watch the children grow and learn.

Gillian Chesney

My name is Gillian Chesney and I have worked at Riverside since 2008. I currently work in the Bluebells as the Room Senior. Before Riverside, I did 5 summer seasons in Spain in the kid clubs and was nicknamed ‘Jolly’ which has always stuck, and most people now call me ‘Jolly’. I love working with the children and building close relationships with them and their families and making sure their environment is full of love and care x

I know a girl called Jolly who could not find her dolly she put it with her brolly and the Bluebell trolley….. her name is ‘Gillian Jolly’
“Great rhymers make great readers ”
Jolly xx

Gillian McCabe

My name is Gillian McCabe. I worked in Riverside during 2007 – 2009 where I completed my qualification at SVQ Level 3. I returned in September 2016 and now work in the Buttercup room with the 1–2-year-olds, as Room Supervisor. The best thing about the Buttercups is building relationships with each child and their families and having the opportunity to watch them grow as they progress through the rooms.

Gillian McCulloch

Hi, my name is Gillian McCulloch , also known as Gill. I am the Supervisor of the Snowdrop Room. I qualified in 1994 and updated my qualification in February 2014. I have worked at Riverside in the Snowdrop Room since 1997. I look forward to coming to work each day, building close relationships with the children and their families. I enjoy getting to know each child as an individual, watching them develop into secure and confident little Snowdrops. The best part of my job is seeing happy and content children as they begin their Riverside journey with lots of love and cuddles along the way.

Hollie McGuire

Hi, my name is Hollie, and I am a Modern Apprentice at Riverside Childcare. I began my training at Riverside in April 2021 and have made amazing bonds with the children and staff. I work in the Buttercups room where each day is filled with joy and fun. I have also spent some time in Poppies and Bluebells and have gained lots of amazing experience from these rooms. Being able to watch the children develop and learn every day is one of the most rewarding things in the world. I absolutely love being a part of the Riverside family, I have the most amazing job in the world 🙂

Jacqueline Slaven

Hi, my name is Jacqui, affectionately known as ‘Cooker’ by the children. I have been at Riverside for over 15 years now and love knowing I prepare healthy, nutritious meals for the children. The children & parents offer suggestions for the menu, and I share recipes to be recreated at home.

Karen Hutchinson

Hi, my name is Karen. I have worked at Riverside Childcare since May 2019. I made a career change as I’d always wanted to work in childcare. I completed my training in the Bluebell Room and qualified in August 2020. I am currently the Senior in Buttercups Room. I have loved every day since starting at Riverside. Seeing the children grow and develop as they move through the rooms is so rewarding. I especially love being in the Buttercups and getting to see the children’s personalities develop as they become more independent, more mobile and continue to explore new language and sounds.

Kirsty MacPhail

My name is Kirsty MacPhail I have worked at Riverside Childcare since July 2006, I’m currently a Supervisor in the Poppies. During my time at Riverside, I have watched so many children grow and develop, and I’ve been part of creating lots of happy memories. It is a privilege to help nurture and support the children. It really is the most rewarding job in the world!

Laura Congleton

My name is Laura and I have worked in Riverside since 2016. I work with the preschool children in the Poppy Room, my job is so rewarding, I build children’s confidence and resilience through explorative and innovative play. I have worked in childcare for 10 years and was previously a Nanny in Singapore for 6 months!

Christina Buchanan

My name is Christina Buchanan. I started working as an Apprentice in September 2021 and I currently work in Snowdrops where every day has been amazing! I feel like I have developed a strong bond with my co-workers and children in my room and I can’t wait to continue watching the children grow and develop.

Stacey Carr

My name is Stacey I have worked at Riverside since 2016 and work in the Poppy Seed Room. Messy activities and exploring the outdoors with the children is what I like best. I’m privileged to be a part of the lives of the young Poppy Seeds and believe my influence will have a positive impact on their future.

Lorrayne McCarrison

Hi, my name is Lorrayne and I have worked at Riverside since 2017. I mainly work in the Thistles however I am fortunate that I get to spend time working with all age groups. I love working here as the staff are all very professional and we support one another, and of course I’ve loved watching the children grow and develop over the years.

Lynne Mackenzie

Hello, my name is Lynne, I’m the Senior Manager. I’ve been a manager here since 2004. In 1995 I came to Riverside to begin my career. Through all of my roles I’ve been fortunate to have received continuous opportunities to train and develop and have studied formally for 8 years in total, I completed my degree, a Ba in Childhood Practice, in June 2017. It is a privilege to lead a team of dedicated, caring, highly skilled staff. My aim is to maintain the excellent reputation we have and continue to develop innovative and nurturing practices which lead to the best outcomes for the children in our care and continuous support for our families.

Maureen Currie

My name is Maureen and I have worked in childcare for the past 20 years and have been at Riverside Childcare since 2014.

In 2021 I began working in the Poppy Room and have relished in having the opportunity to challenge myself, working with the 3-5 years children for the first time. I love that every day is different and that we provide adventure and laughter while supporting the learning and development of the children. Focusing on building strong relationships with children and their families ensure we get it right for their wellbeing.

Nadine Keenan

My name is Nadine and I am the Nursery Administrator at Riverside Childcare. I started at Riverside in April 2021 processing the children’s fees and all fee related administration work. This is my first position within the childcare profession and I am thoroughly enjoying the change in my career. I have built strong relationships with both Nursery Managers and the Nursery Directors and continue to build relationships with the staff, children and families. I work from home most of the week but really enjoy my time in the office at Riverside.

Nicola Byrne

Hi, I’m Nicola and my Riverside journey began in May 1995. I have had the privilege of working with all the different age groups over the years and have adored watching the children grow and thrive. I am now working as part of the Management Team, but still visit all the rooms and get involved in creative play, singing, dancing, storytelling, role play and outdoor learning. One of the most rewarding parts of my day is listening as the children tell me about what they’ve learned and any exciting stories or news that they want to share with me.

Samantha Brannan

My name is Samantha, I’m also known as Sammy. I have been part of the Riverside team for over 20 years and spent 14 years of this working with the Snowdrop children. I have worked with all age groups and currently work with the Bluebell children and After School Care. I love my job because I get to watch all of the children grow in confidence as they transition through the different rooms. I am the Co-ordinator for Eco Schools and it gives me great pleasure when the children show enthusiasm for eco projects.

Samantha Cocker

My name is Samantha cocker. I have worked at Riverside in the Snowdrop room since 2001. I have a BA in Childhood and Youth Studies and an SVQ level 3 in Early Years. I love every minute of my job. It is amazing to watch the children grow and to be able to help them develop into incredible little people.