Our Early Years Team

 

Rowan O’Donnell

CENTRE MANAGER, & CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER

I have ten years of experience working in Early Years and Child Care and enjoy working with children and families. I have my PDA in Childhood Practice and my BA in Childhood Practice at Glasgow University.

It is becoming widely known that the first five years of a child's life are the most important years and being allowed to support them in their development and learning is such a rewarding job. Before starting in nurseries, I worked at an outdoor centre outside Stirling where I gained experience in outdoor activities for children and adults. I learnt here that I like working outdoors and seeing children explore nature.

I enjoy the community Maxholme Nursery has, and I have been manager here for over a year now. Everyone cares about the nursery and believes in the values that have been set out.  It's not just a nursery you drop your children at, it's like a second home.

In my spare time I love being on adventures outdoors with my husband, son and daughter. I also do enjoy reading a good book or two when I have a spare minute between household tasks.

Samantha Arthur

DEPUTY MANAGER & CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER

I began working at Maxholme Nursery in September 2022 as a Senior Early Years Practitioner, prior to this I spent 10 years working as a self-employed Childminder registered with the Care Inspectorate Scotland. I provided childcare for local families in Bearsden for children aged 6 months to 12 years. I have an SVQ 2 in Children’s Care Learning and Development and SVQ 3 in Social Services (Children and Young People) and studying my BA in Childhood Practice at University of Glasgow.

Working in Early Years is a hugely rewarding job and I love being part of the Maxholme team. Our nursery offers a lovely home from home environment for children to learn, play and develop.

When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, travelling, going to the theatre, eating out and walks with my dog.

 
 

Suzanne Gilmour

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER

I’ve been working at the nursery since 2015.  Both of my children attended Maxholme for a short period and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I started my working career as an Interior Designer and have always enjoyed art and love sharing my love of art with the children. I am also a lover of the outdoors and like nothing more than being outside with the children and allowing them the freedom to explore and develop their learning through play. 

When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my family. My favourite pastimes are running, mountain biking and hill walking

 

Saima Zafar

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER

I started my career as a Science teacher in Pakistan having gained B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Chemistry. I then taught Science to primary and secondary school pupils for three years.

I joined my husband in Glasgow and we have two children. We lived in Hillhead before moving to Bearsden in 2011. My youngest child attended New Kilpatrick Nursery.

I retrained as an Early Years Practitioner and worked at New Kilpatrick nursery from 2018 to 2020 before joining Maxholme nursery in August 2020. I love the family atmosphere at Maxholme. Teaching the children is an immensely rewarding experience especially with the support of my colleagues and the parents.

In my spare time I love gardening, walking, cooking, and watching movies with my family.

 
 

Val Miller

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER

My name is Valerie Suzanne Miller and I have grown up in the Bearsden area. I attended Clydebank College where I gained my SNNEB certificate in Childcare. I then went onto study Social Care at Anniesland College and gained my SV3 with merit. For many years I ran my own music business, Val’s Musical Monkeys, while also working in nurseries across Glasgow.

My key interests are music and I enjoy playing the piano. I enjoy sharing this interest with the children at the nursery through music and drama experiences.

I have autism and feel personal experience allows me to support children who have their own additional support for learning needs.

In my spare time I care for two little dogs, play the piano with like-minded people, enjoy visiting the theatre to see musicals and attend a pilates class once a week.

Shivani Joshi

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER

My name is Shivani Joshi and I was born in India and moved to Scotland in 2010. I am married to an Indian Scotsman and we have two children. I have completed my BA in History and Political Science in the Punjabi medium and can fluently speak Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu.

I have been working for almost 2 years in Maxholme Nursery. I originally carried out voluntary work at Maxholme and was offered a job as a training practitioner in February 2020. I successfully completed my SVQ3 Qualification in June 2021 and I am now a qualified practitioner. I enjoy supporting the children's health and wellbeing through yoga and exercise and I also like to hear the children's stories.

In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, long walks, helping my children with their homework and my Indian TV dramas.

 
Elaine Anderson Maxholme staff photo

Elaine Anderson

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER

I worked for 9 years in Finance after studying Business Economics. I was a stay at home Mum to my 4 daughters up until a few years ago when the last 2 left to go to University. At that point I started volunteering with Maxholme and more recently also with Oxfam.

The happy nurturing environment in Maxholme was and continues to be very appealing. From day one, I have enjoyed watching the children’s confidence and abilities develop through learning whilst having fun.

I recently gained my SVQ3 in Children and young people in early years.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening, doing crafts and going for walks with my dog

Kimberley Currie

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER

I have been working in childcare since 2019 and have loved every moment of it. I started working at Maxholme in August 2023.

In my free time I love spending time with family and friends. I am a very busy Aunty and enjoy making special memories with my nieces and nephews. My favourite hobby is watching formula 1 racing and i am looking forward to booking another Grandprix.

Jennifer George

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER

I qualified in 2018 with my SVQ 3 from Carousel Training . I have experienced of working with children from 6 weeks until 5 years of age. I joined Maxholme Nursery in August 2023 and currently work in the Willow room.

I have a daughter Isabella and due my second in Jan 2025. I also have a little dog Mila. Outside of work i enjoy socialising with Friends, holidays and spending time with my fiance Logan who proposed on the beach in Mallorca during a family holiday.

Vhairi Sands

EARLY YEARS PRACTITIONER

I joined Maxholme nursery in October 2024. In 2023Ii obtained by BA(hons) in Primary Education from the University of Strathclyde and now a trained primary teacher and continue to work supply in East and West Dunbartonshire when not at the nursery. I love working with young children and enjoy getting stuck in and messy. My favourite experience to share with children is through the outdoors, exploring nature and all it has to hold through mud kitchens, water and sand play. I also enjoy being creative and often like to provide music and drama based activities for children. I don’t mind looking silly as long as we’re having fun and learning.

Outside of work I am keen sports person and play rugby and football for a local club in East Glasgow. I also enjoy going on walks with the dogs, listening to country music and disappointedly watching my favourite football team lose!

Have a question for our team?