`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.

I’m originally from Glasgow and have worked across a wide range of childcare settings for over 20 years. 

My experience has taken me from nannying for families in the French Alps to entertaining children on cruise ships to working in a wonderful Montessori nursery here in Glasgow. However, outdoor learning has reignited my passion for early years education. There is something truly special about supporting children as they explore and connect with nature, and I feel very fortunate to be part of those experiences. I believe we meet children at one of the most important and exciting stages of their lives, and being able to guide and support them in such a rich, natural environment is incredibly rewarding.

I recently completed a degree in Childhood Practice at the University of Glasgow. I hold a Level 2 qualification in Children and Young People’s Mental Health and became a Woodland Activity Leader, gaining valuable skills that I look forward to sharing with your child.

 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!! 

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 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 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 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. 

 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.
 

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!