Meet Our Team

Our Team

Caroline Freeman - Director

I am a founding joint Director of Fenton Barns Nursery and I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2001. I have wide experience of working with children in schools, hospitals and the community. I have a specific interest in child development.

I am a mother of 4 children, one boy and three girls.

I love the homely and outdoor environment of Fenton Barns Nursery and I'm really excited about the expanding outdoor learning opportunities within the nursery.

I love being by the beach, playing tennis and spending time with family and friends.

Nicola Simpson - Director

I am a founding joint Director of Fenton Barns Nursery. I have worked for many years in the voluntary sector, latterly founder and CEO of an educational charity. I am a Director of DC Watson & Son (Fenton Barns) Ltd. My Key Role being Management of Diversification. Some of my key roles within Fenton Barns Nursery are involvement in the management, recruitment and planning.

I'm really passionate to develop the expanding outdoor learning opportunities within the nursery and working closely with staff to further develop the nursery.
I enjoy working in East Lothian. I am a mother of one.

Lauren Peacock - Nursery Manager

I have worked in childcare for over ten years and have been part of a nursery management team for six years. I have worked through my SVQ Level 3 and 4 alongside lots of additional training such as Child Protection Level 4, Leadership and Management, Autism Awareness, Wellbeing for Adults, Book Bug, Literacy and Numeracy, Supporting the Young Workforce and lots more. I use this training within the nursery in my practice and to support all members across the team to develop their practice.

I enjoy spending time with my 4 year old daughter and my fun fact is ‘I can do 12 cartwheels in a row’.

Louise Smith - Operations Manager

I started work at Fenton Barns Nursery in 2015 and thoroughly enjoy being back in the office environment.

Working in an Outdoor Nursery has encouraged me to enjoy the outdoors more and taught me how to live a healthy lifestyle with my family.

Having now lived in East Lothian for over 19 years, I have gone on to have 3 children and set up a business with my husband. After working from home for many years I felt it was time to re-start my own career.

Laura Gray - Deputy Manager

I joined the Fenton Barns Nursery team in October 2018, as I believe their values and ethos are very similar to my own. I am very passionate about the outdoor education and strive to provide all the children in my care within high equality play based learning opportunities.

I have been working within the Early Years for many years holding a number of roles from Room Supervisor to Nursery Manager. I am also a Director of a local equestrian charity focusing on providing equine assisted therapy and learning to children and young adults.

I hope my experience and strong interest in child developmental psychology will be beneficial to all the children here at Fenton Barns Nursery.

Naomi Blackhall – Senior Supervisor

I started at Fenton Barns in July 2019 and have many years childcare experience, working from a volunteer to a Supervisor. I have recently just completed my PDA Level 8 in June 2019.

I have always enjoyed looking after my cousins, so I left school and started studying Childcare. I started Volunteering when I was 17 and never looked back.

In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and friends. I also go to the gym and local outdoor bootcamps.

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Emma Maguire – Office Administrator

I am married with 3 children and a wilful disobedient dog. I enjoy our
lovely East Lothian beaches for dog walking and exploring the countryside.
I also enjoy gardening, socialising with friends and the odd game
of tennis.

I have lots of various admin experience, working in a Secondary School
which is quite a change from a Nursery.

I am looking for a new adventure, and looking forward to getting back
into the office environment.

Karen Wallace - Forest School Leader

I live in East Lothian with my family and enjoy walking, especially on the beach with my Golden Retriever, travelling, playing tennis and cooking for family and friends.

I am a qualified Montessori and Forest School teacher and have taught pre-school and reception class. I feel strongly that children should have the opportunities to enjoy, understand and appreciate their environment and the countryside at the same time as playing, risk taking, problem solving and developing their imagination.

I am looking forward to being part of the team at Fenton Barns, preparing the children for their next stage in education, developing strong foundations for their future with practical learning.

Hannah Rutherford – Wrens Room Supervisor
Currently on Maternity Leave

I enjoy caring and looking after others. I have stayed on a farm all my
days and so love being outdoors in nature and getting a bit muddy and
walking the dogs. I am very passionate about having a happy balanced
life. I practice yoga and teach in my spare time.

I gained an HNC in Early Education and Childhood and am passionate
about learning new skills that encourage health and wellbeing.

I enjoy being around children and growing with them as they grow
too, individually and with each other.

Keren Ward – Wrens Practitioner
Currently on Maternity Leave

I joined the team at Fenton Barns Nursery in April 2019 in the Wrens Room. I have worked in childcare for many years, gaining my SVQ 3.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing sports such as hockey, badminton and golf as well as socialising.

I look forward to working with the children in the Outdoor setting and gaining more knowledge alongside watching the children develop and grow.

Katie Macrae - Wrens Practitioner

I have been working in primary education for 7 years. Before that I studied science and worked as a researcher. I am a huge fan of the landscape and scenery in Scotland and like to spend my free time walking in the hills and swimming outdoors.

I am a qualified primary school teacher and have worked in primary
schools in England for 6 years before moving to Scotland.

I love working with, and supporting children, as they grow and develop.
I also love the outdoors so working in the lovely outdoor setting at Fenton Barns suits me well.

Claire Murray - Wrens Support Worker

I have worked at Fenton Barns Nursery since October 2020. I am currently working towards my SVQ Level 3.

I have always enjoyed working with children. I am a horse riding instructor and used to teach full time.

I have a son and we both love spending time outdoors. We have a horse and a pony at home to keep busy in any spare time we have.

Ellie Galloway – Robins Supervisor

I joined Fenton Barns Nursery in 2021 and have worked in childcare
since 2017. After completing my SVQ Level 3 I became a qualified practitioner before going on to work towards my SVQ Level 3 Forest
School Leadership which I completed and implemented Forest Schools
into the Nursery daily routine. I am now working towards my SVQ
Level 4 Children and Young People.

In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and go for long
walks along the beach with my puppy, Lola.

My fun fact is ‘I collect lots of different water bottles, once having 47
water bottles in my collection’.

Shirley Galazka – Robins Practitioner

I joined Fenton Barns Nursery in June 2018 and am currently based in the Robins Room. I enjoy watching the babies develop and learn new skills day by day.

I am married and have 2 grown up children and 2 grandchildren who I look after often, I am a very hands on Nana.

I enjoy playing outdoors with the children and often go on adventures. We sing, dance and often make up songs. Giving the children in the nursery a good experience, feeling cared for, being well looked after and safe is my goal.

Beth Finnie - Robins Support Worker

I have been a Support Worker in the Robins since October 2020. Before that,
I studied Fashion Management at university but decided to have a change
of career and have started by SVQ 3.

I am also the Eco Schools Coordinator as sustainability and
environmentally friendly living are topics I am passionate about. We are currently working towards our 4th green flag award with lots of exciting
plans in the works.

Outside Nursery I enjoy spending time with my friends and family,
whether it be a coffee catch up or a walk on the beach with my Labrador.
I also have a plethora of hobbies that I enjoy such as paddleboarding, gardening and crochet.

Emma Johnstone – Puffins Supervisor
(Currently on Maternity Leave)

I enjoy working at Fenton Barns Nursery and being able to further the children's development by nurturing and supporting them to become confident learners.

After gaining my SVQ, I went on to further my learning and development by doing
my PDA Level 8 in Childhood Practice and have worked in nursery settings
for many years.

In my spare time I like spending time with my children, family and friends,
being outdoors, going on adventure trips with my girls and out for meals.

Laura Buchanan – Puffins Lead Practitioner

I enjoy walking, swimming and spending time with friends and family as well
as cooking and giraffes.

I have an HNC in Early Childcare and Education with 20 years experience
in childcare including volunteering with the Scouting movement as a Beaver
leader.

I have joined the Fenton Barns team because I really enjoy the outdoors and
think it is such an interesting way for children to learn.

Jodie Perry - Puffins Practitioner

I returned to work after 2 years of maternity leave and career break
to bring up my two young daughters.

Before that I worked as an Event Manager but wanted to pursue a
career with a workable balance and starting as Support Worker at
Fenton Barns Nursery.

In my spare time I enjoy being in the outdoors with my two daughters
and walking my dog. I ran the Edinburgh Marathon in 4hr23 and a
personal achievement was climbing Kilimanjaro in 2011. I enjoy
horse riding and ice skating.

Ellie Chisholm – Puffins Practitioner

I joined Fenton Barns Nursery as I think an outdoor Nursery is a lot
more adventurous and there is more things to do being outdoors. I
have a strong feeling that Childcare is what I want to do as a future
career.

I have gained experience after a week’s work experience whilst I was at
school, volunteering at Fenton Barns Nursery and looking after my
cousin, watching him grow up.

I like to stay active and walk my dogs and look after my animals which
I own. I am looking forward to starting my college training in the
near future.

Natalie Smith – Puffins Support Worker

I grew up on a farm and enjoy spending time outside walking my dog. I love animals and have two guinea pigs called Mango and Kiwi. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends.

I have lots of experience babysitting and am now working towards my
SVQ Level 3.

I only started at Fenton Barns Nursery in May 2021 but am really enjoying myself.

Murray McKay – Owls Supervisor

I am originally from Inverness but now living in East Lothian. I enjoy travelling, playing and coaching tennis and coffee.

I gained my SVQ Level 3 and also Laying the Trail for Outdoor Learning.
I enjoy working at Fenton Barns and spending time in an outdoors setting and also developing my own outdoor practice.

Jeanie de Mullet – Owls Lead Practitioner

I started working at Fenton Barns Nursery in October 2019 and I am very passionate bout young children being outdoors.

I have been a teacher of young children since 2001 when I got my first job in Early Years while studying about it at college.

I joined Fenton Barns Nursery specifically because they support learning through play in an outdoor environment. Every day is different and exciting, and I feel fortunate to be part of a growing movement to get children out in nature, experiencing everything it has to offer.

Sayoko Love – Owls Practitioner

I am a confident and caring individual. I have an ability to prioritise
effectively and I have excellent communication skills.

I have been experiencing bringing up my own children and looking after supporting friends with their child care needs.

I am passionate about providing the best care and play experience for
children. I was looking for a nursery position that offers great training
and long term career development opportunities and I believe I can
achieve both at Fenton Barns Nursery.

Lauren O'Brien - Owls Support Worker

I started at Fenton Barns Nursery in September 2018. I previously was an
Account Manager for a cosmetic company in a Department Store.

I am looking forward to staring my journey at Fenton Barns Nursery with
the team and to develop my learning and career in Childcare.

In my spare time I like to do a lot of outdoor things with my family
such as camping, long walks with my puppy Darcy and trips up to the
North of Scotland. I also enjoy music, shopping, socializing with
friends and adore Darcy’s sister – a grey fluffy cat named Maya.

Caryn Fower – Owls Support Worker

I studied Early Education and Childcare in 2011 and started my own
childminding business aged 22. I am studying towards my Practitioner qualification. I also provide respite care and look after a child
with Autism.

I am a wife and mum of three. I love all things nature and being outdoors.
I love to forage, cook and be outdoors as much as possible.

I have worked in many nurseries across East Lothian but Fenton Barns
offers the outdoor learning experience that I love. I have a passion
for working with children with ASN.

Keira McCluskey – Owls Support Worker

I enjoy being outside, seeing my friends, spending time with my family and walking my dog. I keep fit by going to the gym.

I have a lot of experience working with children from a young age including babysitting, being an activity leader/group instructor, gymnastics coach, after school club helper and working in a nursery. I am also first aid trained.

I started at Fenton Barns on a temporary basis but have enjoyed it so much that I am now working towards my qualification.

Erin Richardson – Owls Apprentice Support Worker

I enjoy working at Fenton Barns Nursery. On my days off I like going
kayaking, walking and skiing.

I have experience of working with pre-school and school aged children
through Rainbows and tennis coaching.

I love developing my understanding of childcare whilst working at
Fenton Barns, the staff are very supportive and helpful.

Mairi Dewar – Owls Student Practitioner in Training

Since I was little I have always wanted to work with children. I would love to be a Primary Teacher. I studied Childcare at Edinburgh College and completed my Level 5 and Level 6 in Childhood practice. I am about to start my HNC qualification. I am also training to become a Rainbow young leader.

I joined Fenton Barns to gain experience in an outdoor nursery and to see how different it is from other nurseries and also because of their reputation.

Sam Wood - Head Chef

I have 10 years in professional kitchens, working in many different environments,
working my way up from Commis to Head Chef.

I relocated from Yorkshire. There I gained a passion for cooking fresh, local produce and
am looking forward to taking advantage of the quality local produce East Lothian has to offer.

Laura Brodie - Auxiliary

I live in North Berwick and have two dogs. I like taking them for walks to the beach.

I have experience in social care and also admin but fancied a change.

I joined Fenton Barns to work with children, and since joining I love it.

Finley Brown – Auxiliary

I really enjoyed my work experience at school working with children.
I love listening to my little sister’s imagination when she plays. Whilst
at school from 4th to 6th year I had work experience at St Mary’s
Nursery worked into my timetable and also at Meadowpark School.
I am also a young leader at Rainbows.

I enjoy spending free time with my family. We go on lovely walks
and seeing historic castles as we have a Historic Scotland pass.

Roz Fraser – Gardener

I have worked in a variety of roles and settings since starting my career in childcare in 2012. I have worked as a Holiday Club senior, a Nursery Nurse in private and state nurseries, a tutor and a Primary and Early Years Teacher. I hold a PACE (Primary and Early Years teachers qualification).

I returned to East Lothian having lived in Hertfordshire for seven years. I now live in Dunbar with my husband and enjoy spending time with my family,gardening, interior design and outdoor sports. I absolutely love working at Fenton Barns Nursery as its outdoor and healthy lifestyle ethos is very much in line with my own. I love the positive, child centred and nurturing atmosphere and I feel proud to be part of the team.