Our Team
Our staff are committed to providing the highest standards of professional Early Learning and Childcare. Before beginning employment at Little Learners Nursery, all staff are thoroughly vetted in accordance with Care Inspectorate Requirements (formerly Care Commission). This includes Disclosure Scotland PVG Registration (criminal records check), check of the Scottish Social Services Council Register and 2 written references.
Little Learners Nursery is committed to providing training and development for all staff including: SVQ 2 and 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development, First Aid, Child Protection, Food Hygiene, Health and Safety and Child Development.
Continued Professional Development (CPD) is also available to all staff through Highland Council which covers all aspects of the Curriculum for Excellence (3 – 5 Years), Pre-Birth to Three: Positive Outcomes for Scotland’s Children and Families and Realising the Ambition guidance.
We pride ourselves in keeping our staff long term and many are mothers themselves.
Key Person
When your child starts at Little Learners Nursery a member of staff will be allocated as their key person. Each key person will have responsibility for a small group of children. The role of the key person is to help children and families settle into the nursery and provide consistent care and emotional support to each child. The key person is also responsible for documenting your child’s milestones and achievements in their developmental profile and would be your first point of contact to discuss your child’s care or development.
Our recent Care Inspectorate report identified the following
“The children were all happy, settled and relaxed. They experienced warm, caring and nurturing interactions from staff who supported their care needs. Staff offered comfort, cuddles and reassurance which supported children to feel safe and secure.”
“The children were able to have lunch at a pace which was right for them. These were social events where the staff sat with the children and chatted with them. The children received appropriate levels of support and independence skills were promoted”.
Hi, my name is Mairi, and I am the Centre Manager. I have worked here for 11 years and have previously managed a local playgroup for 12 years! I currently have my NNEB qualification, and I have gained my BA in Childhood Practice through the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Hello, I’m Kaleigh, I have been the Deputy Manager for 6 years now. I have gained my SVQ 3 Social Services (Children and Young People), and I have gained my BA in Childhood Practice through the University of the Highlands and Islands. I enjoy doing messy play and art activities with the children. I have a little girl of my own and we enjoy taking our dogs for walks.
Hi, I’m Erin and I’ve worked here for 8 years as an Early Years Practitioner/ Supervisor. I have gained my HNC Childhood Practice qualification, and I work in the Nursery room. I love taking the younger children out a walk to explore! In my spare time I enjoy walking my dog Miley and spending time with my family.
Hello, I’m Linzi and I have been working at Little Learners Nursery for 5 years as a Early Years Practitioner/Supervisor. I work in the under 3 room and I have my NC in Early Education and Nursery Teaching and I have completed my HNC in Childhood Practice. In my spare time I enjoy cycling, walking and running.
Hello, I am Lauren and I have been working at Little Learners Nursery for 5 years as an Early Years Practitioner. I work in the under 2 room. I currently have my Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. I have completed 2 years of my BA (Hons) in Education Studies and currently seeking methods to achieve my BA over the next year. In my spare time I enjoy sewing and spending time with my family. I am currently on Maternity Leave.
Hello, I am Samara, I have been working at Little Learners Nursery for 2 years. I work in the under 3 room as a Support Worker. I have just recently started to work towards my SVQ3 qualification. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my close family and friends. I have just recently returned back to work after Maternity leave.
Hello, I am Marlena. I have been working at Little Learners Nursery for over a year. I work in the under 3 room as an Early Years Practitioner. I have gained my qualification in HNC in Childhood Practice. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Hello, I am Alisha. I have been working at Little Learners Nursery for nearly 2 years. I work in the Under 2 room as a Early Years Practitioner. I have just recently qualified and I now have my SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) SCQF Level 7. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
Hello, I am Aimee. I have been working a Little Learners Nursery for 9 months. I work in the Nursery room as a Early Years Practitioner. I have gained my qualification in HNC Childhood Practice. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
Hello, I am Emma. I have just recently started working at Little Learners Nursery. I work in the under 3 room as a Support Worker. I am going to begin to undertake my studies to gain my qualification in Early Years. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.
Hello, I am Evie. I have just recently started working at Little Learners Nursery. I work in the under 3 room as a Early Years Practitioner. I have gained my qualification in Children & Young People SCQF Level 6. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
The Owner, Rosemary MacPhee is from a long standing local family and has owned and “grown” the Nursery since 1998 when the idea was born out of lack of good quality childcare facilities in the Lochaber area. Rosemary and her late husband Duncan retired in 2020 as solicitors from their other business “MacPhee & Partners LLP, Solicitors and Estate Agents” after 40 years in practice together.
