CARE AND LEARNING ALLIANCE - Key Persons
I have been working in Junior World in Nairn since August 2000, starting off as a volunteer progressing to a full-time position .
I have recently taken up post of Senior Childcare Practitioner in Out of School Care where I do breakfast club and after-school care. I enjoy this role and working with the older children.
I am also the Cashier for CALA preparing all invoices on a monthly basis, receiving payments and allocating to the relevant invoice. I carry out my role as cashier based at Junior World in Nairn.
Job Titles:
- Childhood Practice Manager
I have been working in Junior World in Nairn for 10 years in a variety of roles, starting off as a part-time helper in Out of School Care, then spending some years in Early Years as a Playworker and as a one to one support. I then became a Senior in Out of School Care which is where I found I was most comfortable and enjoyed this role and working with the older children.
In 2012 I became the Senior in the new Daycare facility and with the rest of the team, we now have a very busy and successful service for children aged 2-5-year-old.
In 2014 I reduced my hours at Junior World to mornings to able me to fulfil my role as a CPM in the afternoons. Within the role, I am responsible for 4 Out of School Services and a breakfast club. I enjoy this new position and the different people I get to work alongside many different professions and background,
Job Titles:
- Childhood Practice Manager
I worked in childcare settings through placements and jobs for the past 7 years, starting as a student, becoming an Early Years Practitioner, then a Senior Practitioner. I joined CALA in March 2022 as a Childhood Practice Manager and I really enjoy working with such an amazing team and am learning every day.
I completed an NPA, NC and HNC course in childcare and I am currently studying BA Childhood Practice. In my free time I enjoy going camping, outdoor swimming, rock climbing, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Childhood Practice Manager
I have worked for CALA for the last 16 years and during this time I have gained qualifications to match the childcare roles I have held. I most recently gained a BA Childcare Practice and am currently the Manager of Sutherland Stepping Stones Childcare Centre and Golspie ELC.
On a personal note, I have two daughters and a son and am also blessed with three beautiful grandsons. In my spare time I like to spend time with my family and new puppy Hunter who is very lively. I enjoy reading, socializing and anything crafty.
Having travelled about a lot and had many interesting and varied jobs I love working with CALA as the Family Support Co ordinator for Lochaber. I support 11 Parent and Toddler Groups in this stunning area. Outdoors is where you will find me in my time off where I love to walk, cycle and chop wood for the stove.
My newest activity is Polytunnel Gardening, so I soon hope to be growing & eating lots of fresh veg. Children all grown up now but I have superb memories of making friends at my own Parent and Toddler Group when they were wee and I am delighted to be able to work with Parents, Babies & Toddlers again.
On leaving the travel industry after a short career, I knew I wanted to work with people. This lead on to me taking an apprenticeship in HR & HSEQ within in the construction industry. After spending a year splitting my time between them both, I decided that I wanted to work in HR and I choose that as my path. Progressing forward, I went on to achieve my CIPD qualification and other relevant qualifications.
After reaching the peak where I was and eager to learn more, I moved to CALA where I became the HR Manager. This was a huge change in ‘working ways' and excited me that there was so much we could achieve. Working in HR was crucial in playing a part to the overall aims at CALA ensuring we had a successful and adequate workforce to provide a childcare service that we were proud of in the Highlands.
I have always been passionate about working within charitable organisations, partaking in fundraising etc. So, upon leaving CALA to progress my career as HR Business Partner in social housing, I decided to join the board of directors as I felt I had more to give and didn't want to loose my connection with CALA.
Out with work, I enjoy travelling with my partner and going on nice long walks with our French bulldog Ollie! I love to socialise and really enjoy experimenting cooking in the kitchen (not that I am any good!).
Born and raised on the Isle-of-Lewis, I left home after High School to train as a Primary School teacher - work I continue to do in a Supply Teaching capacity. Life has presented me with many opportunities of working alongside children in a variety of contexts, whether through Gaelic-based groups, after-school clubs or within the Voluntary Sector where I have served on the Children's Panel for the past 21 years. These ongoing opportunities and experiences have been invaluable. Currently, I chair our local Fèis Ghallaibh group and act as Gaelic Advisor to Melvich Gaelic Choir. It remains my desire to encourage all things Gaelic and so the opportunity of joining CALA in February 2021, as Gaelic Parent & Toddler Development Worker, based in Thurso, Caithness, seemed like the perfect, next step. I'm looking forward to the work and the challenges. When I'm free, I enjoy singing, writing, walking and occasional fly-fishing.
Job Titles:
- Head of Quality, Learning and Workforce Development
I live in Dulnain Bridge in the Badenoch & Strathspey area where I am fortunate enough to have beautiful views of the Cairngorm Mountains from my windows. In my spare time, I love walking and cycling with my two dogs Kylo and Hughie.
Hi, my name is Debbie, I have worked in childcare for over 25 years in a variety of roles, the last 15 of which have been with Care and Learning Alliance, with whom I started as a Childhood Practice Manager, working up to my current role as Head of Services.
I hold numerous childcare qualifications culminating in my PDA Level 9 Childhood Practice.
I am responsible for the management of our Office team, CALA Staffbank and Early Learning & Childcare Services, tasked with ensuring the smooth and professional running of all services.
Job Titles:
- Childhood Practice Manager
After spending many years working within safety and works control, an opportunity arose to change career path after having my 3 children. Since then I have spent 9 years in childcare running my own childminding business and acting as a relief practitioner in Highland Early Learning Centres.
After completing my SVQ 3 and beginning my degree in Childhood Practice I now manage 3 Early Learning Childcare Centres, Reay, Watten and Norlin and also provide support to the CALA Childminder Members. I am enjoying the challenges this position provides whilst caring for my 3 children.
Dr Graham Watson was Head of Resources for High Life Highland, with responsibility for finance, HR, IT and capital projects. Before that he worked as the cultural manager with The Highland Council's Education Service and had play development policy as part of his portfolio. He is interested in the role of leisure and culture in the early years, particularly in play development.
Now retired from paid employment he enjoys being a full-time historian.
Despite being Chief Executive since June 2017, there is still so much to learn and every day is so different, interesting and exciting! Our staff are incredibly dedicated and it is such a privilege to work with them to support children, families and communities. Our strong partnerships mean we are all working together with the child at the centre and I am so proud of all that we do together with colleagues in Highland Council, HTSI, Scottish Government, NHS Highland and more. I truly believe that these innovative partnerships and joint working are needed if we are to develop and sustain quality provision in a beautiful, if often remote and rural, place like the Highlands.
Before I was with CALA, I was an Independent Councillor for Badenoch and Strathspey for a decade and during that time held senior roles including Co-Leader of the Opposition and Opposition Budget Lead as well as a Board member of NHS Highland and Cairngorms National Park Authority. Previous to that I lived abroad in the USA and Scandinavia for many years including running an international outdoor play space in Oslo. I currently chair the community development organisation Voluntary Action Badenoch and Strathspey and am a lay member of the Joint Standing Committee for Legal Education of Scotland.
As a mother of four (almost grown-up!) daughters, life is never calm and quiet but I wouldn't have it any other way! I do however try to find time to do yoga, read and, once restrictions are eased, I am looking forward to doing more travelling.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Manager and General Organiser
Jane moved to Scotland 16 years ago after a career in retail working for Sainsburys. Following some time at home with her young family, Jane worked for Eden Court Theatre for 10 years. In 2020, Jane moved to a new challenge as a manager at the Fortrose Medical Practice.
Jane started at Belladrum Festival 11 years ago working as the assistant to the Event Manager on a voluntary basis. This led to the role of Entertainments Manager for the last 5 years. Jane programmes and looks after all the weird & wonderful parts of the festival that are not music on a big stage. Jane is passionate about making the festival easy & fun for families with children, nurturing new talent & bringing community groups to the festival.
Jane also works as an event manager and general organiser of things on a freelance basis.
I have worked with CALA for nearly 20 years, starting as an assistant practitioner in OOSC and have worked in all roles in Daycare and ELC and also spent several years as a Family Support Worker for Social Work and working as Youth Worker in the local community. As well as raising a family of 3, I also used to run a village shop and post office, this I did whilst studying my Childhood Practice Degree. I gained a huge amount experience whilst managing Junior World, Nairn for the last 7 years and furthering my studies by gaining my Childhood Pratice Degree.
Job Titles:
- Childhood Practice Manager
My name is Karina Pawszok, I am a Childhood Practice Manager at Care and Learning Alliance.
My work within the company started years ago, first as staffbank, then as Senior Practitioner. I also worked for local authority nursery in Inverness and in a private nursery school in Edinburgh. While working I was gaining qualifications in Early Education and Childcare; first through college then onto university, where I gained my degree in Childhood Practice.
I come from Poland and live in Inverness with my family, I am a mother of three (now grown-up) children and grandmother to twins (boy & girl).
I love reading books, travelling - especially camping, art - oil paint and pencil drawing, and theatre.
I joined CALA in March 2017 as Payroll Administrator. I have to say there is never a dull moment and I really enjoy working within the Central Support Team.
I have been involved in childcare since 1990 when myself and a group of Mums and Dads helped set up the Toybox Children's Centre here in Gairloch.
Since then I have worked setting up out of school clubs then moved into CALA working with committee led groups before moving to the Family Support Team. I cover a large area from Lochinver to Portree and love seeing children grow and develop.
I was lucky enough to join the CALA team in November 2013 and I have never looked back. CALA is such a nice company to work for. I was given the opportunity to take on the role of Payroll Administrator which I was a bit nervous about as I had no experience in this line of work. It turns out I had nothing to worry about. I was given all the support I needed from my team and although I am still learning I am really enjoying the role.
Outside of CALA I like to spend time with my family. I have two little boys who keep me busy so never a dull moment. We own a caravan and love to go off on our adventures whenever we get the chance.
Job Titles:
- Childhood Practice Manager
I have always known I have had a passion for working with children. After I had gained my HNC I took some time to focus on my practice and had the opportunity to work my way up to deputy manager of a private nursery. I began studying for my BA Childhood Practice in the summer of 2020.
I joined CALA in November 2021 and I have really enjoyed working within such a supportive and inspiring team. It is amazing to be able to play a role in the early years of children's lives and to watch them grow and flourish.
Marie has been involved in the development of childcare services in the Highlands since the 1990s with Inverness and Nairn Enterprise and HIE and currently works as State Aid Manager for HIE. She is a director on a number of social enterprise boards with experience of financial management and governance matters. She brings business knowledge and connections to the CALA Board.
Job Titles:
- Head of Business Development & Communication
I have just joined the team at CALA in May 2022 and I'm very excited to be part of the fantastic work that they already carry out and to help them with all that comes in the future. I am completely new to the childcare sector as I had been in management and business development within the motor trade for 26 years.
I have been married for 22 years and have a wonderful wife and 3 fantastic daughters, we recently got our first family dog which is a boy to at least try to even out the numbers!
I enjoy spending quality family time at home or away travelling and I'm also a keen watcher of all sports.
I joined CALA's Family Support team in June 2019 covering the Badenoch and Strathspey area, after working as an Early Years Practitioner for 11 years. I love being able to get out and about in the Community, meeting lots of lovely families and I'm passionate about supporting children's early learning and development. It's an extremely rewarding job!
Scott retired from Scottish Fire and Rescue service in 2016 after more than 30 years serving in Glasgow and the Highlands, latterly as a local senior officer. He had the responsibility for fire and rescue service delivery and wider partnership engagement with other public and third sector agencies across the Highland area. This included working in a range of initiatives aimed at children and young people from raising awareness of safety issues to cross partnership working on community projects.
Since retiring he has joined the board of trustees for Relationship Scotland - Family Mediation Highland and in 2020 took on the chair's role.
Scott is very supportive of promoting positive life experiences for children and young people. As a father of three, he knows the importance of ensuring all can get the best start in life and become confident and successful individuals
Job Titles:
- HR & Office Administrator
I am South African born, with a Scottish father. I came to Inverness Scotland at the beginning of June with the intentions to find permanent work and to emigrate here permanently.
I joined CALA in 2006 as a Finance Officer working my way up to my current role as Director of Finance. I am lucky to be part of such a dedicated team and wonder where the last 14 years have gone! CALA has changed in many ways during my time here and in true CALA style, I am looking forward to the many changes, challenges and successes ahead.
I am happily married with 3 grown-up children, in my spare time I enjoy cycling, walking, travelling and socialising with family and friends