Staff - Apple Tree Nursery

‘I manage this service, the educators lead it’

LESLEY-ANNE ROBERTS

HEAD OF CENTRE

Hello and welcome to Apple Tree Nursery!

I’m so pleased to be welcoming you and your child(ren) into our nursery community. Before becoming Head of Centre, I had an idea of what leadership meant — but it wasn’t until I stepped into this role that I truly understood the importance of being supportive, approachable, and leading by example.

My journey with Apple Tree started years ago as a student. Since then, I’ve worked my way through different roles — from Childcare Practitioner to Depute, and now Head of Centre. I feel really lucky to have experienced the nursery from so many perspectives, and it’s helped shape the way I lead today.

Along the way, I’ve continued to grow professionally too, gaining my SVQ Level 4 and then my BA in Childhood Practice. But most importantly, it’s the relationships with children, families, and our amazing team that have taught me the most.

I genuinely care about every child and family who walks through our doors. I believe in creating a warm, nurturing space where all children feel valued, happy, and excited to learn. I have high hopes for every child and will do everything I can to make sure they have the experiences and support they need to thrive.

I work hard to ensure that our staff team stay motivated, inspired, and up to date by regularly attending training that supports and enhances your children’s learning and development.

In the following pages, you’ll find useful information we’ve put together to help new parents and carers as they settle their child(ren) into nursery life. Hopefully, it will answer many of the questions you might have at this stage.

We’re proud to operate an “open door” policy here at Apple Tree. All of our staff are here to support both you and your child, so if you ever have any questions or concerns — no matter how big or small — please don’t hesitate to speak to any member of the team at any time.

If there’s anything in this document you’d like to discuss further, feel free to get in touch with me directly. I’m always happy to help.

Lesley-Anne Roberts
Manager
Apple Tree Nursery Ltd
10 Mackinlay Street
Rothesay PA20 0AY
Telephone: 01700 505074
Mobile: 07736053462
email: [email protected]
Website: www.appletreenurseryisleofbute.co.uk

Management

The Board of Directors is made up of volunteers from the Community and Parents/Carers andis responsible for overall direction of the Nursery. The Board meet monthly to evaluate and monitor the forward plans of the establishment. If you wish to become a Board Member and help with the continued running of the Nursery, please do not hesitate to let Lesley-Anne know.

Samantha Booth

Chairperson

Board Members

Kim McLauchlan
Kylie Rodgers
Samantha McMillan
Sarah-Jane Nairn
Haleigh Watson

Meet the Board

Staff Leadership Roles

Coming soon...!

More information coming soon…!

Meet the Staff Team

Yvonne Dunn

Hi there! I’m Yvonne Dunn, and I’ve been a childcare practitioner at Apple Tree Nursery since June 2009. I’m passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can learn, grow, and, most importantly — have fun! I’m fully committed to supporting every child’s development and work closely with parents and carers to ensure each child receives the best possible care. I believe strong relationships are key, so I always aim to be reliable, approachable, supportive, and thoughtful in everything I do.

As part of the team, I enjoy planning and delivering high-quality activities and learning experiences, as well as carrying out detailed observations to keep parents informed about their child’s progress and journey through the nursery. In addition to my role in the playrooms, I’m also the proud driver of our nursery minibus, Annie! I take care of all aspects of the minibus — from driving the children safely to handling maintenance checks — making sure everything runs smoothly for our trips and outings. I’m always learning and regularly attend training sessions to keep my knowledge up to date. This helps me meet the ever-changing needs of our children and allows me to support my colleagues by sharing my experience too.

Stephanie Scott

Hi, I’m Stephanie Scott, a fully qualified childcare practitioner with a wealth of experience and a strong passion for early years education. I’m deeply committed to providing high-quality care and learning experiences that help every child thrive. I’m currently furthering my knowledge by working towards my SVQ Level 4, and I make sure to keep my continued professional development up to date through regular training. This helps me offer the best possible support to each child and ensure that their learning is rich, engaging, and meaningful.

Creativity is one of my strengths, and I love designing learning opportunities that are fun, exciting, and just the right level of challenge for your child. Supporting children’s curiosity and confidence is something I truly enjoy, and I strive to make every day a positive experience. I am also proud to be the rights leader here at apple tree nursery. We are honoured to have achieved the gold award as a rights respecting school, and I lead on embedding the values of the UN convention on the rights of the child (uncrc) into our daily practice. This means ensuring that every child knows their rights, feels valued, and has a voice in their learning and nursery experience.

Leighann Greene

I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself — my name is Leighann Greene, and I’m delighted to have recently joined the team here at Apple Tree Nursery. Over the past few years, I’ve been studying at college and gaining hands-on experience in a variety of childcare settings, including achievement Bute and Rothesay Joint Campus. These experiences have helped shape my passion for supporting children’s development in a nurturing and inclusive environment.

At Apple Tree, I’ll be your main contact for health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on mental health — both for our children and for ourselves. Promoting positive wellbeing is something I care deeply about, and I’m here to support the whole nursery community in any way I can. Most importantly, I’m a great listener. If you ever need a chat, a sounding board, or just someone to talk things through with — whether it’s a little thing or a big one — I’m always happy to meet and see how I can help.

Megan McDonald

Hi! I’m Megan McDonald, and I’m really proud to be a lead practitioner here at Apple Tree Nursery. I started out as an apprentice here and have since become a fully qualified childcare practitioner. It’s been such an amazing journey, and I’ve learned so much about supporting children and helping them grow every step of the way. I’m really passionate about early years education and love picking up new skills to make sure I’m always giving the best care and support to the children. As the nursery’s communication champion, I focus on helping children with their speech, language, and communication.

I work with the children, families, and my fellow staff to find fun and helpful ways to encourage kids to express themselves and build their language skills. One of the best parts of my job is working with a team of really motivated and caring people who all want the same thing — to create a happy, safe, and exciting place for children to learn and explore. We support each other and share ideas so we can keep improving every day. I love being part of Apple Tree Nursery, where every child is valued and encouraged to be curious and confident. I’m excited to keep learning and growing in my role, and to help make sure every child and family has a wonderful experience with us.

Heather Sweet

Hello! I’m Heather Sweet, and I feel really lucky to have been working in childcare since 1999. Even after all these years, I’m just as passionate about what I do now as when I first started. Being the deputy manager means I get to spend time with the children, support their families, and work alongside a fantastic team every day — which I absolutely love. I’m qualified with an SVQ Level 4 in Childcare Learning and Development, and I’m always keen to keep learning and growing through training.

I really enjoy putting new ideas into practice, mixing what I’ve learned with hands-on experience to make sure we’re giving the best care and learning opportunities to the children. In my role, I bring lots of qualities to the table — I’m a good listener, a clear communicator, and I try to lead with kindness and a sense of humour. I also love being creative and finding fun ways to make learning memorable and exciting for the children. My goal is to stay inspired and motivated so I can help every child feel supported and confident on their learning journey. Together with the whole team, we work hard to nurture each child and help them develop all the skills they need to flourish.

Erica Ledicott

Hi, I’m Erica Ledicott, and I’ve been proud to be part of the Apple Tree Nursery team as a bank staff member since 2017. I have experience working across all age groups — from babies to toddlers and early learners — and I love the variety and energy that each day brings. I’m especially passionate about creating fun, hands-on activities that spark curiosity and creativity.

I really enjoy setting up messy play experiences that allow children to explore through their senses, as well as enhancing our construction areas where children can build, problem-solve, and develop their fine motor skills in exciting ways. I’m also very active and love encouraging the children to join in with physical play and sports. Helping them build confidence through movement and teamwork is something I find incredibly rewarding. Outside of play and learning, I like to lend a helping hand wherever I can — I’m not afraid to get stuck in with fixing and maintaining resources and equipment around the nursery. I take pride in making sure our learning environment is safe, organised, and ready for the children to enjoy.

Caitlin Parkins

Hi, I’m Caitlin Parkins. I’ve been part of the Apple Tree Nursery team since 2017 and am a fully qualified childcare practitioner, having completed my SVQ Level III in Social Services (children and young people). I currently work as a lead practitioner, supporting both children and colleagues to deliver high-quality early years care and learning. In my role, I enjoy mentoring staff, contributing to planning, and helping create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for every child.

I’m passionate about child development and supporting children to build confidence, Independence, and resilience through meaningful play experiences. I’m also currently studying for my BA in Childhood Practice, which is deepening my knowledge in areas such as leadership, pedagogy, and professional reflection. This ongoing learning helps me continually develop my practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of our setting. I would describe myself as an enthusiastic, approachable, and dedicated member of the team, always striving to make a positive impact on the children and families we support.

Lauren Gilchrist

Hello, I’m Lauren Gilchrist. I’m currently in the early stages of my apprenticeship at Apple Tree Nursery, and I’m genuinely excited to develop my skills, grow as a practitioner, and share meaningful experiences within the warm and welcoming environment created by the fantastic Apple Tree staff and children. From a young age, I’ve always been passionate about working with children, and having attended Apple Tree Nursery myself, I feel incredibly fortunate to be starting my career in a place that already feels like home.

Being part of Apple Tree gives me the chance to learn from experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing high-quality care and education. I’m committed to embracing every opportunity to develop my knowledge and practice, with a strong focus on creating nurturing, engaging, and supportive experiences for every child. I’m especially looking forward to building positive relationships with the children and families, helping each child to grow in confidence and independence in a safe and inspiring environment. I’m excited about the journey ahead and feel proud to be part of a team that truly values the happiness and development of every child.

Abigail Tayler

Hi, I’m Abigail Tayler, and I’ve been part of the Apple Tree Nursery team since 2019. I’m the nursery’s secretary, and you’ll usually find me in the office — always ready to help and always with a big smile! Although my role is mainly behind the scenes, I’m very much part of the day-to-day life of the nursery and really enjoy the regular interaction I have with the children and their families. Building those relationships is one of the highlights of my job.

My responsibilities include making sure staff wages are processed, typing up newsletters, sending out invoices, and handling a wide range of general admin tasks that help keep everything running smoothly. Whether it’s helping with paperwork or answering a quick question, I’m always happy to support our families and team wherever I can. It’s a real pleasure to be part of such a caring and dedicated nursery community, and I’m proud to play a part in helping things run like clockwork.

Charmayne Murphy

Hi, I’m Charmayne Murphy. I joined the Apple Tree Nursery team in 2019 and became a fully qualified practitioner in 2020. Since then, I’ve loved being part of such a caring, dedicated team and supporting the children through their early learning journey. One of my key roles at Apple Tree is delivering PEEP (Parents Early Education Partnership) sessions across all rooms.

I’m passionate about creating opportunities for children and their families to learn together, and I really enjoy helping to build strong connections between home and nursery. These sessions are a great way to support early development through songs, stories, and play, and it’s a joy to see how much the children gain from them. Being part of Apple Tree means a lot to me, and I’m proud to contribute to such a nurturing and supportive environment where children can grow, explore, and thrive.

Charlotte Rutherford

Hello! My name is Charlotte Rutherford, and I’m a fully qualified childcare practitioner here at Apple Tree Nursery. I completed my SVQ Level 3 in 2020, and during my studies, I had the opportunity to do my college placement right here at Apple Tree. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed and inspired by the staff, children, and the supportive environment. After finishing my qualification, I was delighted to officially join the team.

I’m also proud to be the woodwork coordinator within the nursery. I support the children in safely exploring real tools and natural materials, helping them create their own wooden projects. It’s amazing to see their creativity come to life and watch their confidence grow as they plan, build, and problem-solve through hands-on experiences. Apple Tree is extra special to me because all of my own children attended the nursery — and now, being part of the team that creates such a warm, caring, and inspiring environment feels incredibly meaningful.

Ellie McMillan

Hi, I’m Ellie McMillan. My journey with Apple Tree Nursery began in 2018 when I joined as a student on placement from James Watt College. After completing my HNC in Childhood Practice in 2019, I was thrilled to become a fully qualified practitioner and officially join the Apple Tree team. Since then, I’ve built strong, positive relationships with both the children and my colleagues. I’m passionate about being part of such a nurturing and inspiring environment and I’m always eager to keep learning more about the nursery’s daily routines and how we can continue to grow as a team.

One area I’m especially passionate about is bringing community farming culture into our children’s learning. As the farming coordinator, I help introduce the children to nature, animals, and where food comes from—encouraging responsibility, curiosity, and a love for the outdoors. Whether it’s planting, growing, or caring for small animals, I love seeing how much the children gain from hands-on, real-world experiences. I consider myself highly organised, motivated, and always focused on ensuring we provide a high-quality learning environment for every child. Being part of apple tree is incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to support our children as they learn, explore, and thrive.

Hannah Bryden

Hello, I’m Hannah Bryden, I’m really excited to join the Apple Tree Nursery team as an apprentice. I’m looking forward to learning and gaining valuable experience in all the rooms, working closely with both the children and staff. I believe that being involved in every area will help me develop a well-rounded understanding of child development and early years care. I’m eager to build positive relationships with the children, support their learning and play, and contribute to the friendly, nurturing environment that apple tree is known for.

I’m especially passionate about creating fun and engaging experiences that encourage children’s creativity, confidence, and independence. I’m also excited to learn from the experienced team here, gain new skills, and grow both personally and professionally. Thank you for welcoming me—I can’t wait to get started and be part of such a wonderful community that values every child’s happiness and development.

Leigha

Hi, I’m Leigha! I’m a fully qualified childcare practitioner here at Apple Tree Nursery, and I’m passionate about supporting children as they grow, learn, and explore the world around them. Since joining the team, I’ve had the opportunity to work across all rooms in the nursery. I really enjoy working with children of all ages, as well as collaborating with different staff members. This experience has given me a strong understanding of each stage of development and helped me build strong, supportive relationships with both children and colleagues.

I have a particular love for storytelling and creating engaging, imaginative play experiences that help children build their confidence, creativity, and communication skills. I always aim to create a warm, nurturing environment where every child feels valued and supported. I would describe myself as friendly, caring, and always eager to learn. I’m committed to developing my practice and continuing to grow in my role as part of the fantastic Apple Tree team.