Angela

Owner/Manger (Management Team)

I am the owner of Kirkhillgait Nursery, with over 31 years of extensive experience in early years education and childcare. I have progressed through a range of roles within the sector, including Practitioner, Senior Practitioner, Manager, and Owner. This progression has enabled me to develop a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of safeguarding, leadership, daily practice, and the operational responsibilities required to run a safe, high-quality early years setting.

I am fully qualified to degree level, holding Level 2, 3 and 4 in education qualifications, as well as a BA in Childhood Practice, and a Trainer and Assessor award. I am one of the designated Child Protection Officer and take overall responsibility for safeguarding and child protection at Kirkhillgait Nursery. I am fully committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and wellbeing of all children, families, and staff, and to maintaining a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Safeguarding practice at Kirkhillgait Nursery is robust, proactive, and embedded across all areas of the setting. I ensure that policies and procedures are clear, up to date, and fully understood by staff, and that all safeguarding concerns are identified, recorded, reported, and followed up appropriately in line with current guidance and legislation. I provide ongoing support, supervision, and training to staff to ensure they are confident, knowledgeable, and vigilant in recognising and responding to concerns.

Children’s safety, emotional wellbeing, and learning remain central to my practice. I am passionate about creating a secure, nurturing, and inclusive environment where children feel safe, valued, and able to thrive. I also place strong emphasis on partnership working with families and external agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for every child.

Brian

Owner (Management Team)

I became the owner of Kirkhillgait Nursery in November 2025, and it has been a privilege to take on the responsibility of supporting a nursery that plays such an important role in the lives of local children and families.

While my wife leads the day-to-day management of the nursery, my role is to provide the support, stability, and long-term vision that enables both the team and the nursery to continue to grow and succeed. We work closely together, each bringing our own strengths, with a shared commitment to creating the best possible environment for children, families, and staff.

I believe every child deserves the very best start in life, and I am committed to ensuring the nursery has the resources, investment, and support it needs to thrive. I take great pride in backing the dedicated team, supporting continuous improvement, and helping to build a strong foundation for the future.

As owners, we understand the trust that families place in us, and we are committed to maintaining that trust through integrity, openness, and a genuine passion for providing high-quality early years education and care.

I am proud to support my wife's leadership and look forward to seeing the nursery continue to flourish, building on its strengths and serving the community for many years to come.

  • Jackie Love - Deputy Manager (Management Team)

    My name is Jackie Love, and I am the Deputy Manager here at the nursery. I have worked in the childcare sector for over 35 years, holding a variety of roles that have given me a deep understanding of children’s development, care, and education. I am truly passionate about supporting children to feel safe, confident, and inspired as they learn through play.
    I hold a range of professional qualifications, including PDA Level 9 Childhood Studies, SVQ Level 4, NVQ Level 3 Childcare and Education, and a Diploma in Preschool Practice. I am also Child Protection Officer trained, ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and wellbeing for every child in our care. My long-standing commitment to childcare comes from a genuine love of helping children and families thrive.

  • Nicole Lawniczak - Team Leader (Management Team)

    My name is Nicole and I am the Nursery Team Leader at Kirkhillgait Nursery. I have 14 years’ experience in childcare and hold a Level 3 qualification. I am fully trained in child protection and first aid for both children and adults.

    I am passionate about children’s development and believe every child should be supported to grow, learn and thrive to their fullest potential, giving them the very best opportunities from the start of their Nursery journey. I value open communication with families and work in partnership to support their child’s learning and development. I work closely with our management team to support the day-to-day running of the nursery, while also overseeing all four playrooms. I work alongside staff and children on a daily basis, ensuring a consistent, caring, nurturing environment where everyone feels supported, guided and valued.

  • Rachel Millar (Baby Room Practitioner)

    Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m 25 years old and have been working in nurseries since I was 17. In 2018 I completed my apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People) through Childcare Management. Throughout my career, I have always worked within the Baby Room, as it is truly my favourite place to be.

    I am passionate about supporting babies in their earliest stages of development and creating a calm, nurturing environment where they feel safe and loved. I feel so lucky to play a part in such an important stage of their lives and create special bonds with all families.

  • Katie Taylor (Baby Room Apprentice)

    Biography coming soon.

  • Hannah Palmer Coxon (Tweenie Room Practitioner)

    Hi, I’m Hannah.

    I’m 24 years old and have been working in childcare since I was 16. I completed my modern apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People) through Carousel Training. Throughout my career, I have developed a genuine passion for supporting children’s learning and development, creating a safe, caring, and nurturing environment where they can grow with confidence. I enjoy building positive relationships with children and their families and feel privileged to play a part in such an important stage of their lives. I am committed to helping every child feel happy, valued, and supported each day.

  • Sara Sadiq (Tweenie Room Apprentice)

    Sara is a dedicated Early Years apprentice Practitioner with experience working in both nursery and primary school settings across East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire.  

    She holds a BA in Childhood Studies and is passionate about supporting young children’s learning, development, and wellbeing. 

    Sara values creating a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment where every child feels confident to explore, learn, and thrive and feel loved and cared for.

  • Adeela Yusuf (2-3 Room Practitioner)

    My name is Adeela, and I am a mother of two. I completed my HNC in Childhood Practice at South Lanarkshire College in 2021. Having always wanted a career where I could make a positive difference in someone’s life, I find working with children incredibly rewarding. Since joining Kirkhillgait Nursery in May 2026, I have been based in the 2-3s room, where I am passionate about supporting children’s learning and development. I firmly believe every child is unique, with their own strengths and potential. My commitment is to create a safe, nurturing, loving, and engaging environment in which every child feels valued, encouraged, and supported to thrive. One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is seeing children grow in confidence, achieve developmental milestones, and reach their full potential. Supporting them on their learning journey and celebrating their achievements with their families is truly a privilege.

  • Kayleigh Harkins (2-3 Room Practitioner)

    I’m Kayleigh, a 26-year-old childcare professional with nine years of experience. Over the course of my career, I’ve worked with children of all ages and taken on a variety of roles within nursery environments. My passion lies in supporting each child’s learning and development by creating safe, nurturing, and stimulating spaces. I value building positive relationships with children, their families, and colleagues, and thrive when working collaboratively within a team. My commitment to providing high-quality care drives me to continuously expand my knowledge and skills, ensuring I deliver the best possible outcomes for every child in my care.

  • Simran Kaur (3-5 Room Practitioner)

    My name is Simran Kaur, and I am a 25-year-old Early Years Practitioner and Room Leader in the 3–5 room. I hold a BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies (Level 10) and have always been passionate about working in childcare. Supporting children during the early years is incredibly rewarding, and I enjoy creating inclusive, open-ended learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, and independence. My goal is to provide a warm and engaging environment where every child feels valued, supported, and confident to explore the world around them.
    Every day in early years is different, full of laughter, learning, and plenty of imagination — and while I may be the room leader, the children definitely keep me on my toes!

  • Umaimah Malik (3-5 Room Practitioner)

    Hi, I’m Umaimah, a 22-year-old qualified Childcare Practitioner with a strong passion for supporting children in their early years. I started my career as an apprentice, gaining valuable hands-on experience while completing my qualification and building a solid foundation in early years education and care.

    I am committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where every child feels valued, secure, and encouraged to explore, learn, and grow. I enjoy planning engaging, age-appropriate activities that support all areas of development while making each day enjoyable and meaningful.

    Building positive, trusting relationships with children and their families is central to my role. I believe every child is unique and deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and I take pride in supporting their growth during this important stage of development.

  • Elise Dolan (3-5 Room Practitioner) *ON MAT LEAVE*

    I am a qualified Early Years practitioner with experience in childcare since 2019. I hold an SVQ Social Services- Children and Young People Level 7 and I am currently working towards my SVQ Level 9 qualification to continue strengthening my professional practice.

    I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where every child feels supported to learn and grow. I find it especially rewarding to see children thrive in my care and develop confidence, independence and curiosity. 

    I particularly enjoy supporting learning through outdoor experiences and messy play, encouraging children to explore, be creative and learn through hands-on activities.