Meet the Wise Owls team
Managerial team
Catherine
Mark
Mark is the co-founder and owner of Wise Owls. He was instrumental in the preparation of Ivy House and the setting up of the nursery but has handed over the reins of upkeeping the building to the professionals now.
Vicky
Koren
Koren graduated from Drama school in Edinburgh in 2017 where she then went on to working in Italy for 8 months doing Panto style shows for children ages 2-16. She then set up her own princess party business – Once Upon Your Princess Party – where she has loved entertaining children across Dumfries and Galloway ever since. She joined us in July 2021 and gained her Qualification in July 2022. “Working with children is something I love doing and have ample experience in and working at Wise Owls Nursery is the icing on the cake for my career. I also have a puppy who I like to go on walks with and I love going to the theatre!”
As from August 2024, Koren is the room lead for the Owlets and Branchers room.
Claire
Claire joined us in March 2022 as a Modern Apprentice, qualifying within the year. As a mother of three herself, she has plenty of experience with young children and enjoys getting out and about with the kids. Claire enjoyed studying so much she is going on to study for her Level 4 and so is the room lead for the Fledgling Room.
Kim
Kim has joined us in the office in October 2022 to whip us and our admin into shape.
Qualified Practitioners
Fiona
Sam
Sam has been with us since 2020 and as a qualified member of staff in the Branchers Room, she is happiest when outdoors with the children. Sam enjoys going to the gym and walking her dog when she is not at Wise Owls, and of course looking after her grandson too!
Aimee
Aimee started with us in 2022 and has completed her Modern Apprenticeship in record time. We are excited to welcome her to the team way ahead of schedule!
Maya
Maya joined us in June 2021, having gained an MA (Hons) in psychology from Aberdeen University. She has since started her Modern Apprenticeship in Social Work with Children and Young People, Maya has a wonderful gentle way with the babies and so is with Owlets.
Brooke
Brooke started with us as a cleaner in 2021 and completed her Modern Apprenticeship in Social Work with Children and Young People in July 2023. She predominantly works with the out of school club children, but is also a great help within the nursery in the baby room.
Lesley
Rosie
Rosie joined us as a qualified practitioner in September 2023 and is most at home when at Forest School. Having been brought up on a farm, we are looking forward to her sharing her skills and might even have a nursery veg patch next Spring!!
Fliss
Fliss joined us in August 2023, her son having attended Wise Owls as a baby. Fliss gained her qualification in July 2024 and loves being outdoors in all weathers!
Modern Apprentices
Sindy
Sindy joined the team in November 2023 and is excited to get started on her Modern Apprenticeship journey.
Lyndsey
Lyndsey joined us in November 2023 when she loved coming to the nursery so much as a parent that she decided to join the team.
Yaroslava
Yaroslava has been a great addition to the nursery team as an extra pair of hands on busy days.
Support Staff
Mo - Cleaner
Gail - Cleaner
Gail joined us as a cleaner in November 2023. She has joined Mo in ensuring the nursery is spick and span.
Fiona - Nursery Cook
Fiona joined us in July 2022. She came to us from her last job as a catering manager at a high school and before that, cook at Bankfoot care home. Having worked with the elderly and with teens, she has decided to try her hand with our young ones! Thankfully she loves both cooking and kids, but outside of work she also enjoys exercising. football and Formula 1.
Nicky - Nursery Cook
Nicky has joined Fiona in the kitchen to ensure a healthy, well-balanced menu for our children.
Zena
Zena is our kitchen assistant helping serve up and clean up and generally keeping the kitchen hygienic and to our high standards.