Staff

Our staff are made up of Christine Cassie who is the Head Early Childhood Educator, Jennie Stewart, Moira McDonald and Julie Wild our Early Years Educators.  They are supported by Karen Forrester our Support Early Years Educator.  They are all fully qualified, or working towards qualification and registered with the SSSC.

 

 

Christine Cassie

 

I started on January 7th 2002, having just moved back to Scotland from London.  My own three children were then aged 7, 5 and 3, the youngest having just started at Newton Nursery. 

The ethos of Preschool was one I was familiar with and I felt very much at home when my work began.

I have achieved an HNC in Early Years Childhood Education and am studying towards a P.D.A. which has a slant more towards Management.

My favourite elements of the job are enjoying the wonder that this age group of children has for the world and feeding that imagination and learning.

We have evolved into a unique Pre-School facility within the community of Dunblane and Stirling generally and I am proud to be part of our ongoing success.

 

 

 

Jennie Stewart

 

After a very successful career as a Manager of a very busy Hair and beauty salon I left to have my son Graeme (now 20) and be a stay at home mum as my husband worked away from home at this point.

My son went through toddlers – rising 3’s and finally on his 3rd birthday came to Playgroup as it was called then.  His and my experience of his time there was invaluable.  He cried every day I left him but I knew that 2 minutes out of the door he would be fine.  The staff always reassured me and were absolutely great, ‘Oh so long ago!’

That has never changed, I work with a great team of dedicated people and I am still as passionate about my job now as I was when I first joined the DPPA as a staff member.  I have been working in pre-school now for 15 years, time has surely moved on since I was a young mum doing ‘duty’

I never throught I would go back to doing any formal education, but then I found myself enrolling at Stirling College in 2007 doing my SVQ 3.  I qualified in 2009 and yes I was pleased with myself!  I think a PDA is forthcoming, you never know ‘you are never too old to learn!’

The job, well what can I say ‘It’s fabulous, I love all things green and shiny.  Working with children is a joy.  Being part of their journey is and always will be a pleasure.

 

 

 

Moira McDonald

 

I originally come from East Kilbride but have lived in Dunblane for 20 years.  I have 3 children, Andrew who is 18, Catriona who is 16, and Nicola who is 13.  They all attended Braeport Playgroup (as it was known then) and during their time here I had various roles within the Committee.

I have worked as an Early Years Educator with DPPA for over 7 years and during this time I have gained an SVQ3 in Childcare.

I enjoy working with children and watching them develop and grow in confidence over the year(s) they are here.  I love seeing their faces when they achieve something for the first time.

 

 

Julie Wild

 

I am Julie and I’m the new girl on the block!  I have been working at the DPPA for 3 years now, originally on a relief basis and now as an Early Years Educator.  I am studying for my SVQ3 and hope to finish it soon!

I have 2 children, Jasmine who is 10 and Carrie, 8 they are both at Dunblane Primary School having graduated from DPPA!  I have been on the DPPA committee when my youngest was here as Fees Secretary.  It is useful to have seen things from both sides of the fence and believe passionately about Parental Involvement.