`Our Team

The Nature Nursery Montessori Ltd was founded by myself Emma Halley in 2020. I have enjoyed an exciting and rewarding 15 year career in Childcare 

and it has been a lifelong dream to open a nursery. As a qualified Montessori Teacher, I have worked for many years in a Montessori Nursery. I have also been lucky enough to have travelled to many countries and lived in Australia for two years where I managed a nursery in the Australian outback. On returning from Australia, I began to plan opening The Nature Nursery Montessori Ltd and that dream has finally come true. As a qualified woodland activity leader, having a nursery where children can freely and safely access the outdoors and spend time in nature is hugely important to me. I am very excited to return home to my roots on the family farm giving children the opportunity to enjoy the experiences I was lucky enough to have growing up in the country. I look forward to welcoming all families on what I am sure will be, a wonderful journey for us all. 

My name is Denise, and I am the nursery manager <3

 I am originally from Glasgow and I have been in many variations of childcare for over 20 years, from Nannying for families in the French Alps, dancing the conga dressed as Noddy on cruise ships to being part of a beautiful Montessori Nursery in Glasgow. However, outdoor learning has reawakened my passion for why I fell in love with the Early Years all those many moons ago; the raw spirit of children's experiences in nature is something I feel very blessed to be a part of. I believe that we are joining children at the most exciting part of their lives, and being able to offer my guidance in this magical environment is simply incredible. I am a devoted animal lover who truly comes to life when outdoors. 

I am currently undertaking my degree in Childhood Practice at Glasgow University and hold a level 2 qualification in Children and Young people's Mental Health. I was also lucky enough to become a Woodland Activity Leader in 2019, which has added many valuable skills to my belt, which I hope to share with your child. 

 Hello, my name is Grace and I am super excited to welcome your children into the wonderful world of Montessori in our beautiful country. After working and travelling in lots of different countries around the world, I began my career in childcare in New Zealand, where I was a Nanny, caring for a variety of different families. I loved that all the families were so different, yet the children had a similar great quality of childhood, as they spent most of it exploring, learning and having fun in the great outdoors. I became extremely passionate and inspired about this lifestyle they had there. After returning home, I worked as a Childminder, specifically looking after the 2-4 years age group. I made it my mission to spend as much time as possible with them learning naturally through play and exploration. I am now working towards my Childcare qualification and feel honoured that I am able to implement these same great qualities of childhood to the children here at The Nature Nursery Montessori Ltd

 Hello, my name is Cassy and I have been part of The Nature Nursery for over one year now.
 

After travelling and working abroad with children in different settings, it inspired me to change career and work towards gaining my qualification in childcare. I was lucky enough to have my placement here at The Nature Nursery where my passion for the outdoors could be used in this beautiful environment. It felt amazing to be part of this special place and I was thrilled when offered a full time job.
 

Since being here I have had the opportunity to complete my fire and tools training which has been a great addition in providing further exploration for the children. It has been an incredible journey so far and I look forward to creating these incredible moments with your child.
 

 My name is Laura and I'm originally from Northumberland. I have worked in childcare since I was 16 and have worked in many roles throughout my career including supporting Forest School sessions for children in both a Nursery and School setting.

I'm married with 2 boys of my own, and after the birth of my first son I trained as a baby massage, baby yoga and toddler yoga instructor running classes for parents and families. I am hugely passionate about the holistic care of children, with positive interactions and offering organic experiences for young ones to grow.

As my own children have grown I have rekindled my passion for early years, especially outdoors. I have witnessed first hand how my own children have thrived alongside nature exploring at their own pace. I learn as much from them as they do me and it is magical to be invited into a child's world to witness from their perspective. I am so lucky to be able to join The Nature Nursery Montessori and can't wait to share adventures with your child 

Hello, my name is Joanne and I have always had an interest in the outdoors, from being involved in various outdoor clubs throughout school then join an outdoor activity centre shortly after. I love to see children learning within nature and thriving in the fresh air.

I gained my SVQ 3 almost ten years ago, while working within Crieff Hydro’s Children's Holiday Provision, this is where I realised that my passion for educating Early Years children was the strongest. 

From here I began a job within a Nature Kindergarten in Crieff where I deepened my knowledge and experience in outdoor education. I made the decision to move to the central belt to be closer to my family and was thrilled to be able to continue working in outdoor education at The Nature Nursery and I am currently working towards obtaining my Forest School Qualification and cannot wait to share all of the new skills I learn with the children I care for here. 

I have an HNC in childcare and have been trained in Makaton and have recently gained Fire and Tools training. I have always loved the outdoors and had previously been working at an outdoor nursery based on Pollok Country Park in Glasgow for the past 7 years, so I am used to working in the ever changing Scottish weather.
 

In my spare time I love to go wild camping and spend time with my husband and our little dog Alfie and cat Steve. I have always loved animals and feel that they provide so many amazing learning opportunities for the children.
 

I am very passionate about child led play and cannot wait to see your little ones flourish in this beautiful environment!

 

My name is Sarah and I originally began my career with south Lanarkshire Social Work Department in 2009. I have an SVQ in health and social care. I began working in a nursery setting in February 2021, and started here in The Nature Nursery in October of the same year. I always knew this was the place for me and waited patiently to apply to be a part of this incredible team and wonderful bunch of children! 

My earliest experience of working with children was facilitating a kids club on the west coast of France with Carisma camp holidays. I have also travelled across Asia where I volunteered teaching children aged 2-12 English in a remote village in northern Thailand. One of my most rewarding experiences was volunteering with Covey children's charity, being a befriender to children who required some extra support.
I am currently undertaking my qualification in children and young people, and hope to have gained this soon. 

The Nature Nursery is an amazing place to be and I couldn't imagine a better place for little ones to explore, grow and reach their full potential!

 Hi I’m Tara and Im originally from London. I have worked in childcare for 18 years after completing my diploma in childcare and education back in 2004. I worked as a nanny in London with many family and children.  I also done some training with Makaton as I cared for a boy with learning and development difficulties. I found this very rewarding watching him grow and develop.
 

After having two young children of my own and bringing them to work with me in my nanny job I decided it was time for a little change and thats when I came across The Nature Nursery. It is such a great place to work and also a great place for little ones to play and develop both my children have come here and one still attends.
 

I have always been passionate about outdoor play and learning and would have always had the children out at every opportunity. I feel an outdoor environment can relax and calm a child and stimulate them in a many different ways. I look forward to welcoming and working with your child in this beautiful setting. 

 Hiya, I’m hannah and have been part of the nature nursery for one year!
 

Since high school it has been my passion to work with children in an environment that encourages them to thrive. Immediately after school I enrolled in college for three years to gain my qualifications. I was lucky enough to gain a part time position here at The Nature Nursery which has now developed into a permanent position, which I’m ecstatic to be a part of.
 

Since being here I’ve been able to attain my first aid and fire and tools training. This has allowed me to develop my skills to give the children the best possible experience here at this incredible nursery.
 

 Hello, my name is Gill and I am soo happy to be part of your child’s learning journey at The Nature Nursery.
 

I am a country girl, born and bred on the family sheep farm nearby, and as an outdoors and animal lover, I will utilise every outdoor experience to the best of my ability to help your child reach their full potential as they grow!
 

After going to uni to study Social Science and achieving an honours degree, I took a year out to work at the family boarding kennels, working with my favourite animals ! I decided to change career and started my first job in Childcare in 2019 and gained my Childhood Studies Qualification in 2020 and have loved working with soo many children and families since!
 

I look forward to spending time with your child and helping them grow up, in the wonderful learning environment that is The Nature Nursery!! 

 Hello, my name is Cameron and I have just joined the Team at the Nature Nursery.

My background is in delivering outdoor learning sessions for young people with severe and complex needs and naturally my passion lies within providing positive learning experiences for young people in an outdoor setting.

I grew up spending much of my time outdoors and on farms as my parents’ kept horses and built their own stables when I was young. I know the benefit that this had on me and I wanted to harness and preserve that experience for others. I worked for over three years in a school setting and in this time set up and delivered its Forest School program. I am epilepsy trained, poolside rescue trained and first aid trained.

I Studied Scottish Gaelic and responsible agriculture at the University of the Highlands and Islands, I am as passionate about the outdoors and its use in my personal life as well as professional and spend a lot of time fishing, working with dogs and on conservation efforts.

I have a daughter who was born last year and I am keen to pass on my passion for natural spaces to her. I am very excited to be a part of the amazing work that goes on here at the Nature Nursery and can already see what a caring and innovative space it can be for young people to grow.