Meet the Kids Ahoy Team...

The team at Kids Ahoy vary in age range and experience. They are highly motivated and carefully selected for their professional abilities aswell as their caring and friendly approach to the parents and children. Staff hold a range of qualifications from the SNNEB, HNC to the SNVQ. Others, such as our more mature members who are mothers and grandmothers themselves are working towards their full qualifications. Ongoing training sessions ensure that the staff are kept abreast of all new developments and methods of teaching.

Every section has a Team Leader who is responsible for the effective running of their section and every area is overseen by the Manageress and Owner.

Elizabeth - Owner

Anna-Marie - Manageress

Qualifications - Anna (as she is known to us all) has an NVQ Level 4 in Management as well as SNNEB in Childcare.

Background - Anna has worked at Kids Ahoy since 2002 when she returned from living in Nagoya, Japan.  She started as part-time After School and Nursery Practitioner and soon pregressed through various posts such as After School and Nursery Team Leader until she accepted the Manageress post in 2006.  Being involved in the children's development, experiences and supporting their families is very important to her.

For Fun - Anna has been dedicated to Shotokan Karate since she was 13 years old and for the past 18 years she has trained, competed and achieved at a National and International level.  She has achieved World Silver in Japan at her peak and is also a qualified instructor with certification from the World Shotokan Karate-Do Federation Headquarters in Japan.  This was a lifestyle rather than a hobby so Anna has recentky taken time out from it to focus on her work commitments and homelife.  She does hope to continue her training in the future.  She now spends her spare time walking in all weathers with her collie cross springer: Buddy.  She also enjoys photography, writing and films.

Elaine - Administrator

Qualifications - BA in Business & Marketing

Background - Elaine has recently joined us as our new administrator and is really enjoying getting to know the staff, children and families.  She has lots of experience in business and administration and we are sure that she will be a fantastic addition to our team.

For Fun - Elaine has 2 small children who she loves spending time with and has recently got married!

Gemma - Birth to 3 Team Leader

Qualifications - SVQ Level 3 in Children & Young People and has almost completed her SVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning & Development.

Background - Gemma started at Kids Ahoy in 2006 as a Practitioner within the baby section but quickly became Team Leader for the Out Of School section which she thoroughly enjoyed.  Currently Gemma is Team Leader of the birth to 3 section and has been for some time now.  She is enjoying the two sections so much and enjoys being part of such a large team of staff at Kids Ahoy

For Fun - Gemma married her husband Ian last year and is a member of Weight Watchers.  She enjoys socialising with her friends and family and holidaying in hot places.

Jackie - Nursery Team Leader

Qualifications - HNC in Childcare & Early Education

Background - Jackie  started working at Kids Ahoy in the toddler section and thoroughly enjoyed it.  She took over the post of Nursery Team Leader from Cheryl and is loving every minute.  She has lots of experience and loves using her skills here and meeting new families.

For Fun - Jackie loves shopping, socialising, going to the cinema and watching DVD's.  Hopefully not all at the same time!!

Cheryl - After School Club Team Leader

Qualifications - NC in Childcare & Education, Higher Early Years & Education and HNC Childcare & Education.

Background - Cheryl has been with Kids Ahoy since 2006 and started as an Additional Support for Learning Assistant giving 1 to 1 support.  Then she became the After School Team Leader which she enjoyed until she was offered the role of Nursery Team Leader when Anna was appointed Manager.  She  stepped down as Nursery Team Leader as she had other work commitments however luckily for us she decided to take on the role of After School Team Leader.

For Fun - Most of Cheryl's spare time is taken up by taking her son Conor to and from his various hobbies such as ice skating, golf and athletics.  However she does get some much needed "me" time when catching up with friends.

Karen - Kitchen Team Leader

Qualifications - Intermediate Food Hygiene & Cooksafe.  She has also just completed her SVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning & Development.

Background - Karen started at Kids Ahoy in 2006 as one of our cooks.  She split her week by working in the kitchen and then in the birth to 3 section.   Karen was appointed the Kitchen Team Leader so she now splits her time between overseeing the running of the kitchen and working in the birth to 3 section. 

For Fun - Karen has an 8 year old daughter who takes up most of her free time, by ferrying her to ice skating and swimming.  She enjoys going to the cinema and generally chilling out after a hard weeks work!  Karen left us in April to have her baby Emily but is looking forward to coming back in November 09.

Emma

Qualifications - SVQ Level 2 in Childcare and is working towards her Level 3 in Childcare, Learning & Development

Background - Emma has worked in the Birth to 3 section of Kids Ahoy since she started in 2007.  She also helps out regularly with after school and the kids love her.  She loves her job and is a great asset to the team.

 For Fun - Outside of work, Emma enjoys sports, shopping and chilling out with her Fiance Andrew.  She is also busy planning her wedding.

Eilidh

Qualifications - BA in Educational Studies

Background - Eilidh has been working at Kids Ahoy since the summer of 2006.   She works in all sections but primarily in the nursery and in the holiday club which she loves.

For Fun - Eilidh enjoys spending her spare time with her friends and family and is also a member of the Thornhill Scottish Country Dancers.  Eilidh has now left us for a while as her and her husband Michael  have had their first child, Lexi who weighed 7lbs 2oz and is an absolute delight!

Jackie

Qualifications - SVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care

Background - Jackie joined the team in October 2008 and has been working primarily in the birth to 3 section of the centre.  She has a great background in care as she previously worked with adults with learning diabilities.  She has loved meeting all the children and parents and the children absolutely love her!

For Fun - Jackie has a 13 year old son who takes up most of her spare time but when she does get some time to herself she enjoys reading, crosswords, eating out, going on holidays and sight seeing.

Julie

Qualifications - SVQ Level 2 in Childcare & SVQ Level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development.

Background - Julie started working as a student at Kids Ahoy and then was employed as a full time member of staff in 2005.  She has gained alot of invaluable experience working here and has been working in the Nursery for most of this time however she helps out in all sections of the nursery when need be.  Julie is also our Holiday Club Co-Ordinator and loves researching and planning for the great activities in the school holidays.

For Fun - When not at Kids Ahoy Julie enjoys spending time with her friends and shopping!

Lyn

Qualifications - City & Guilds in General Catering, Elementary Food Hygiene.

Background - Lyn came to Kids Ahoy in November 2008 as our third member of the catering team as Karen would be leaving in April to go on her maternity leave.  She has settled in extremelly well to the team and it feels like she has always been here!  She loves cooking and baking and can't wait to get on the floor to play with the children.  She also helps to plan and implement the many Kids Cook activities.

For Fun -  Lyn loves to spend time with her family.  She enjoys taking her 2 sons on country walks and going swimming.  She is a great cook and baker and loves to bake and decorate cakes.

Lynda

Qualifications - Lynda has many years experience working with children and was a Team Leader in a playgroup for eight years.

Background - Lynda joined the team in 2007 and has helped to look after children in all areas.  At the moment she works mainly in the birth to 3 section and really enjoys it.

For Fun - Outside of work Lynda has a very busy family life with her three granchildren keeping her on her toes!  She loves gardening, socialising with friends and going on holiday!

Michelle 

Qualifications - SVQ Level 3 in Childcare, Learning & Development.

Background - Michelle has been with Kids Ahoy since 2006, starting in the birth to 3 section.  However she has recently moved up to the nursery which she really enjoys as many of the toddlers are moving up.  Michelle has lots of experience as a playleader and a parent volunteer at other nurseries.

For Fun - In her spare time, Michelle is always busy looking after her husband and 3 children but enjoys going out with friends and socialising when she has the time!

Yvonne 

Qualifications - SVQ Level 2 in Care, Cooksafe and Elementary Hygiene and lots of modules in art, design and woodwork.

Background - Yvonne started working at Kids Ahoy in 2007 as a Cook and since then she has joined the toddler team as a practitioner in the afternoons.  She enjoys splitting her day between the kitchen and the birth to 3 section as well as organising the Kids Cook activities.

For Fun - Yvonne loves arts and crafts and makes great scrapbooks.  She also enjoys camping and walking in her free time.

Zoe

Qualifications - SVQ Level 2 in Children's Care, Learning & Development.  Zoe is now working towards her Level 3.

Background - Zoe started at Kids Ahoy in 2006 as a student and when she left school in 2007 she decided that Childcare was the path she wanted to follow.  She then started working as a member of staff in the after school section which she thoroughly enjoyed but she then moved full time to the birth to 3 section.  Zoe still works in after school on occasion which she loves.

For Fun - In her spare time Zoe enjoys horse riding and green bowling.