Meet the Wise Owls team

Managerial team

Catherine

Catherine is the co-founder, owner and manager of Wise Owls. She has worked with children for as long as she can remember. The past 25 years of being a speech and language therapist has taken her to many nurseries in different countries and specialising in language development in the early years gives her a unique insight into what makes an excellent early learning and childcare setting

Mark

Mark is the co-founder and owner of Wise Owls. He has handed over the reins of upkeeping the building to the professionals now, but that doesn’t stop Catherine asking him to come in now and then!

Vicky

Vicky has been with Wise Owls since before it even opened, donning paintbrush and siliconing sinks in preparation for our grand opening. She briefly left but we missed each other too much so we are delighted that she came back and is now the manager in our Out of School Club at Moffat Academy. She loves all ages of children but schoolies have always been her passion! “During my free time I love walking, photography, music and singing. Most of these I have transferred to the nursery with being outdoors with children as much as possible, taking the Christmas photos the past two years and bursting into song at any given time…. Which has proved an ideal distraction technique when things get a little lively!”

Amy

Amy joined the Wise Owls team in June 2019 having just finished her HNC qualification in Childhood Studies. She is the Room Lead for the Branchers (2 year olds) Room. In her spare time, Amy helps on her family’s farm, looking after the horses.

Kimberley

Kimberley joined us in the baby room in July 2021, having had four years in a nursery in Surrey, she has decided to return to her hometown of Moffat. Kimberley is the Room Lead for the baby room as from August 2022

Kirstie

Kirstie has rejoined us at Wise Owls as the Fledgling Room Lead. She’s currently studying for her BA Childhood Practice.

Kim

Kim has joined us in the office in October 2022 to whip us and our admin into shape.

Qualified Practitioners

Fiona

“My name is Fiona Engel and I moved to Moffat from Edinburgh almost 2 years ago. I have 23 years of experience in childcare and have worked with all age groups during that time. In my spare time you can find me sitting at my sewing machine creating a new wardrobe, making greeting cards for family and friends, and doing many other crafty projects. Of course, I also like to go for walks through the beautiful countryside.”

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!”
Koren will be sharing the role of Room Lead as part of her studying for her Level 4.

Sam

Sam has been with us since 2020 and as a qualified member of staff in the Fledgling Room, she is happiest when outdoors, especially at Forest School. 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! She now works alongside Kimberley in the baby 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 also sharing the role of Room Lead in the Fledglings to give her this experience.

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 Kimberley and the 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

Lesley joined us in April 2022.

Lesley completed her Level 3 qualification in Social Services (Children and Young People) in October 2023 and works predominantly with the Babies.

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!!

Modern Apprentices

Fliss

Fliss joined us in August 2023, her son having attended Wise Owls as a baby. She is about to embark on her Level 3 qualification in Social Services (Children and Young People) and enjoys being upstairs with the Bracnher and babies.

Kasey

Kasey joined us in August 2023 fresh from school and will be starting her Level 3 qualification in Social Services (Children and Young People) along with Fliss. She is a hit at the out of school club and also covers at the nursery in a variety of roles.

Support Staff

Mo - Cleaner

Mo left Wise Owls, but missed us so much she came back! She also keeps the setting clean and tidy. She’s the one who will be most likely caught steaming in the nursery!

Maggie - Cleaner

Maggie joined us as a cleaner in June 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. Zena is Kirstie’s daughter, keeping up our family environment!