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

Courtney Bordon

Hi my name is Courtney and I am a modern apprentice at Riverside Childcare. I started my apprenticeship in January 2023 and currently work in Poppies (3-5 room). My favourite part of this job is seeing the progress each child makes every day and it may be something small or big but it’s amazing to see…. I love being part of the Riverside family.

Sarah Wales

My name is Sarah and I am a Qualified Practitioner 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 and 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 watch 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.

Leah Holland

Hello my name is Leah, I am a modern apprentice at Riverside Childcare and I started my apprenticeship in January 2023. I work in the Bluebells room and my favourite thing about working with the children is seeing them reach their milestones.

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 Brown

My name is Gillian Brown. 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.

Kerry Hunter

My name is Kerry, I started in September 2022 as the Modern Apprentice in Bluebells and currently work in the Poppy room. I love working as a team with the other staff members in Bluebells to make everyday a new and exciting experience for the children. I have developed an amazing bond with all of the children and staff at Riverside and look forward to continue gaining more great knowledge from everyone.

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.

Noah Hughes

My name is Noah and I started working at Riverside Childcare as a modern apprentice in January 2023. I currently work in the Poppy room and love my job because everyday is an adventure.

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 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 as a Qualified Practitioner within the Buttercups room 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 Poppies as a Supervisor. 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 Poppies and believe my influence will have a positive impact on their future.

Shannon Dunbar

Hi, my name is Shannon Dunbar. I started my childcare career late 2015 and spent over 6 years working with 0-3’s. I started my Riverside journey in 2023 after I returned from maternity leave with my baby boy and work in the Poppy Seed room. I love making good relationships with the children and their families and watching the children’s confidence grow as they settle into their new room.

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 Poppies. 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.

Cheryl Johnston

Hi I’m Cheryl and I have been working in Poppies since August 2022 as an Early Years Support Worker. I am currently completing my qualification through Experiential Play and I love being here to help nurture and shaper your little ones minds.

Stephanie Hall

My name is Stephanie, I have worked in childcare for over 10 years and was lucky enough to join the Riverside team in August 22. I love working in childcare and in particular watching the children learn and grow into confident individuals. I take pride in creating individual bonds with the children and nurturing them through their early years.

Cameron Giffen

My name is Cameron Giffen. I started at Riverside in January 2023 as a childcare practitioner in training. I have loved working in the Snowdrops and I believe the best part of working at Riverside is watching the children develop and grow. I enjoy working in every room and absolutely love my job.

Charlotte Mair

Hi, My name is Charlotte and I have been a qualified member of staff for 2 years now. I have had the amazing privilege of working with all ages over the years and have loved working with each and every single one. I started my Riverside journey in July 2023 and I can’t wait to bring lots of new smiles and fun to my new family. One of the most exciting things about my day is listening to the children as they tell me all about the exciting experiences they got up too.

I definitely like to put myself forward and sing and dance, getting involved with the messy and creative side as it always brings joy.

Jade Hood

Hi my name is Jade Hood. I started my training in Riverside in 2010 and worked mostly in the under 3 rooms for years after this. I left Riverside for a few years and had my own little baby and then came back to work in the 3-5 room and now Poppy Seeds. I enjoy building relationships with the children and their families. I always make sure the children feel loved and cared for in their nursery environment. Seeing the children grow and develop each day is so rewarding.

Rachel Willox

Hi, my names Rachel! I completed my training and qualified with Riverside in 2016. I have been part of the Riverside family since 2015, having a short break, I’m back where I belong with the best staff, children & families! I work in the Poppy room, with the 3-5’s. I find my job so rewarding as your part of the early and most important stages of the children’s life and development. I love the age group I work with as you can begin to challenge their minds and see them problem solve for themselves daily! Being part of their transition to school is one of the most rewarding parts for me, seeing them thrive and ready for school and their new adventure! The hard part is letting them go!

Aiden S’Gravemade

Hi my name is Aiden and I’m an apprentice at Riverside Childcare. I am in the Poppy room (3-5year olds) and I started my apprenticeship in October of 2023. Although I have only recently started my journey, I feel I’ve learned so much already. One of my favourite parts of my job is that I’m able to make an impact on every child I work with.

Francesca Docherty

Hi, my name is Francesca Docherty and I am happy to share that I started a modern apprenticeship at Riverside Childcare in April 24 and I am really enjoying it. I am currently in the Buttercup room and I am loving every moment of it. This new journey has provided me with the opportunity to learn about Early Childhood Education in a hands-on environment. Each day brings new experiences, like getting to know the children’s developmental stages and participating in fun, creative activities with them. The support from experienced professionals has been very helpful, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey and making a positive impact on the children in my care.

Ellie Gall

My name is Ellie and I started my Modern Apprenticeship at Riverside in November 23. I am in the Poppy Seed room and my favourite part so far is seeing how happy the children get after achieving little or big milestones.

Amy Patterson

My name is Amy and I recently started my modern apprenticeship at Riverside Childcare. I currently work in the Bluebells room and i’m really enjoying my time here so far. The staff are amazing at supporting me which makes it more enjoyable. The thing I love most about working here is seeing the children expressing themselves and becoming their own person.

Maureen Cameron

Hi, my name is Maureen, I started at Riverside in February 2024 and I work in the kitchen with Jacqui which I am enjoying very much. Getting to know each child is fabulous however remebering all their names is proven a bit more difficult. 😀

Alesha McCart

Hi, my name is Alesha and I am a modern apprentice at Riverside Childcare and started my apprenticeship in June of 2024 and I am currently in the Poppy room (3-5 room). My favourite part about working with children is that they have so many interesting things to tell you and watching the children grow and develop, to meet their milestones.