About Us

Jacquie Mitchell

Owner, Director

Having spent many years in Sales & Business I always had a passion to create a family orientated children’s nursery. To say I was super proud is an understatement of how I felt when opening the doors of Scallywags for the first time in April 2007. I feel immensely honoured & proud to have been entrusted with so many wonderful children over the years and equally proud of the super team who continue to ensure our children & families are our top priority. My spare time is taken up with walking my dog, listening to music and spending time with my family & friends.

Gillian McFadyen

Nursery Manager, Director

With over 25 years Experience in Early Learning and Childcare I have been Manager of Scallywags since the nursery first opened in 2007. Being part of children’s early childhood is a privilege and bring lots of joys. I love welcoming the children on their first visit and watching as they grow and learn. In my spare time I like to read and spend time with family and friends.

Clare Lees

Deputy Manager

With over 25 years experience in Early Learning and childcare I joined Scallywags Nursery in 2012, starting off as room senior in the baby room and in 2018 took on the role of Deputy Manager. During my time at Scallywags I have loved being part of the “Scallywags family ” watching our children grow and flourish through their Nursery experience.

Allison Malcolm

Lead Early Years Practitioner

I started my journey off at Scallywags back in 2008 not long after the nursery opened where I was a student, I then went on to complete my SVQ level 3 and then on to my PDA in childhood practice. I have loved every minute of my job and the team I work with so much that both my children had attended Scallywags. In my spare time I like to spend time with family and socialise with friends and have a laugh.

Jacqui McNicoll

Lead Early Years Practitioner

Having joined the team in 2010 as a student, I became a full member of staff in 2011. Over this time, I have seen how our evolving practice has impacted positively on the children we have the pleasure to care for and teach each day. Being so lucky where we are situated my enjoyment for the great outdoors has become part of our daily practice the children enjoying this in all weather conditions. Having worked in all areas of the nursery I’m currently working with our pre school children getting great satisfaction teaching them things as well as them teaching me new things. At times I have to pinch myself that I actually get paid to bake, go to the beach, visit local parks, grow plants and so much more on a daily basis while having the pleasure to build relationships with children and families.

Rudi Anderson

I joined the Scallywags team at the start of 2022.  After having my daughter in 2017 I decided to change career paths to Early Education after finding out how much I enjoyed working with children.  I have an art degree and love to bring out the arts and crafts with children.  In my home life my hobbies include reading and exploring new places.

Tanya Anderson

Early Years Practitioner

I have worked at Scallywags since 2016, my first 3 years as a support worker then gaining my SVQ Level 3 saw me promoted to Early Years Practitioner. Within my role I lead the cosy corner. Out of work I enjoy socialising and going for walks with family and my dogs.

Tracey Cole

Nursery Cook

I joined Scallywags in 2018 so that I could share my passion for cooking nutritious meals. I love hearing from the children how much they enjoy lunch and snacks. If you come to visit ask my colleagues about my love of weighing and measuring! In my spare time I enjoy hillwalking and gardening with my family.

Sheena Wallace

Nursery Domestic

I have worked at Scallywags since 2013 as a domestic. I come in as everyone is leaving to clean ready for the children to play and learn the next day.

Chloe Crabb

Early Years Practitioner

I’ve worked at Scallywags since 2015 since leaving school where I completed my training within the best team. I gained life long skills and amazing experience and I have loved every minute of it. I love seeing the children learn and grow every day and building such positive relationships with each and every family that comes through our doors! In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and friends.

Jo McGurk

Early Years Practitioner

I’ve been with the Scallywags family since 2014, and I can honestly say that I couldn’t imagine a better team to work with. I am passionate about my job and love what I do. Making the children feel safe, happy and watching them develop, explore and grow over the years makes everything we do worth while. I am honoured and privileged to work in child care and to be part of such a wonderful team.

In my free time I love to spend time with family and friends, making memories with my own two children. I enjoy reading books but I also have a passion for weightlifting and spend some time in the gym too.

Jordan Tasker

Early Years Practitioner

I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in 2018 and joined the Scallywags Team in 2019. When I joined the team every staff member made me feel welcome, it was a lovely feeling coming in each morning and knowing I was being supported in my new role.

Since joining Scallywags I just knew it was the place for me. Seeing the children’s smiles everyday, watching their personalities shine through and observing the attachments being made across the nursery certainly brings job satisfaction. I am so proud to be part of the Scallywags Team.

Chelsea Jones

Support Worker

I joined Scallywags in 2020 while studying for my SVQ 3 in Early Education. Working in childcare has always been an interest to me and is a career I feel passionate about and look forward to progressing. I absolutely love working in Scallywags and being a part of the children’s learning and development. I also enjoy spending my time with family and friends.

Ashleigh Cargill

Early Years Practitioner

I joined Scallywags in 2014, I love working with early years and watching the children learn and grow.

In my spare time I love to go for walks and spend time with friends and family

Kerry Milne

Support Worker / Admin Assistant

I became qualified as a support worker in 2005 but didn’t start my childcare career until 2015 after 18 years office experience where I became part of the Scallywags family firstly as a volunteer then supply and eventually a permanent member of staff and now my role consists of both early education and admin, so am happy that getting experiences in both. We have an amazing team who are always there for and supporting each other in all we do. I feel my job is very rewarding and love to see the progress in the children’s development and learning.

Rebecca Mitchell

Early Years Practitioner

I’ve been a part of Scallywags since 2008 as an Early Years practitioner. I love working with children providing exciting opportunities to inspire their minds and watching them as they blossom and grow! In my spare time I enjoy going for walks with my miniature schnauzer and singing!

Nadine Inglis

Area Senior (Baby Room)

I have been part of the Scallywags team since 2013. Being part of this team is a great privilege but also working with all the amazing children and families of which I have built positive and strong relationships with over the years. Working at Scallywags brings me lots of joy with being a part of a great team but also seeing the children develop and grow but also learn so much through their play. In my spare time I love to spend time with my family and friends where possible. Going for days out, exploring the community and local scenery.

Susan Wilson

Supply Early Years Practitioner

I have been with the Scallywags Team since October 2017 – with over 20 years experience working in Early Years. During this time I’ve worked within the private sector and ran my own childminding business. I’m Mum to 3 daughter’s so my spare time is spent with family and friends.

Pamela Strachan

Early Years Practitioner

I have over 21 years experience in Early learning and Childcare, beginning my journey as a nanny. I started at Scallywags in 2011 and over this time have experienced all areas and age groups in the nursery. I love how rewarding my job is, getting to see and help the children grow and develop their minds and abilities during their time with us.
In my spare time I love spending time with family and friends and doing arts/crafts or baking at home.