The Old School House Team

 Hannah – Co-Owner, Manager 

Hannah is the passionate co-owner of Family First Nurseries, bringing over 12 years of experience in early years education. She holds a Higher National Certificate in Early Education and Childcare from Edinburgh College, along with a BA in Childhood Practice from the University of Dundee.

Hannah began her journey in the early years sector as a practitioner, steadily progressing to a managerial role within a private nursery setting. Her dedication to high-quality early learning and care led her to work as an Early Years Officer within the local council, where she gained valuable insight into public sector approaches to early education.

With a strong foundation in both private and public nursery environments, Hannah co-founded Family First Nurseries to create a nurturing, child-centred space that supports every child’s development. Her wealth of experience and commitment to excellence continues to shape the ethos and everyday practice at Family First Nurseries.

 Kirstie – Co-Owner, Business Manager

Kirstie is shared owner of Family First Nurseries and oversees the business management within the setting as well as working as a qualified practitioner both at the Woodlands and School House.

Kirstie started out her career in childcare, working alongside her mum, Debbie-Ann, in their childminding business in 2020. Kirstie holds a Forest School Leader, Level 8 qualification and her SVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People. She is extremely passionate about the outdoors and learning in nature. Kirstie is our food and nutrition leader, having completed several certificates in food hygiene and nutrition. Kirstie also holds a certificate in children’s mental health as well as managing behaviour that challenges.

 Tasha – Deputy Manager

Tasha is our dedicated Deputy Manager and has been an integral part of Family First Nurseries since day one. She holds both Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications in Social Services (Children and Young People), demonstrating her strong knowledge and commitment to high-quality childcare and early education.

With a passion for creating nurturing and engaging environments for children to thrive, Tasha brings experience, warmth, and a deep understanding of child development to her role. Her leadership and hands-on approach help ensure our nursery runs smoothly and continues to deliver the very best care for every child.

  Jane – Management Support

Jane joined the Family First team in September 2024 and plays a key role in our management support team. Originally from South Africa, Jane brings a wealth of international experience, having taught in South Africa, Hungary, and Hong Kong.

She holds a Sports Management Diploma and a PGCE in Early Childhood and Foundation Phase, and is currently expanding her expertise by studying for her Level 8 qualification in Forest School Leadership. Jane also holds certificates in Montessori Learning and Psychomotor Education, reflecting her commitment to holistic, child-led approaches to learning.

Jane’s diverse background and passion for early years education make her a valued member of our team, bringing global insight and creativity to everything she does.

Chloe – Room Leader, Bumblebees 

Chloe joined Family First in August 2024 and leads our Bumblebees room with warmth and enthusiasm. She holds an SVQ Level 3 in Social Services (Children and Young People) and brings valuable experience from her previous role in nursery management.

Chloe is passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging environment where children feel safe, confident, and curious to explore. Her leadership and dedication make her a key part of the Family First team.

Brook – Practitioner, Bumblebee Room

Brook started at Family First in July 2023. She enjoyed her time at the Woods assisting children with transitions and she is now based in the Butterfly Room. Brook has 2 years’ experience and she has successfully completed her SVQ Level 3 in Social Services (Children and Young People). Brook also has the Bronze Award for the Duke of Edinburgh.

Brook loves to be outdoors going on hikes and walks. She is passionate about creating a safe space for children to grow and develop to reach their full potential.  

  Megan – Room Leader, Butterflies Room

Megan joined Family First in March 2023 and has been a valued member of the team ever since. During her time with us, she has successfully completed her SVQ Level 3 in Social Services (Children and Young People) and now proudly co-leads the Butterfly Room.

Megan brings a calm, nurturing presence to the nursery and is passionate about supporting each child’s development through play, exploration, and meaningful interactions.

Katie – Apprentice

Katie joined Family First in November 2024 and is currently pursuing her SVQ Level 3 in Social Services (Children and Young People) as an apprentice in the Ladybirds Room. She holds a Business Management Honours degree from the University of Edinburgh and is now following her passion for childcare.

Katie is excited to combine her skills in management with her growing knowledge in early years education, contributing to the development and wellbeing of the children in her care.

Emma – Room Leader, Ladybirds

Emma joined Family First in June 2025. She has been working in childcare since 2019. After completing her HNC in Childhood Practice, she took on the role of Room Senior in the baby room in her previous nursery, where she developed a strong passion for supporting young children during their earliest stages of development. She brings a calm, nurturing approach and enjoys creating warm, engaging environments for children to grow and thrive.

Daniella - Apprentice

Daniela has a varied background in construction and retail, bringing a strong work ethic and adaptability to her role. From a young age, she has been involved in supporting her mum with childminding, which has given her valuable experience working with children and helped her develop confidence in understanding and meeting their individual needs.

She is proud of her Portuguese heritage and enjoys sharing her culture with others, helping to create an inclusive and diverse environment for children. Daniela’s caring and responsible nature is reflected in her home life, where she looks after six cats and three dogs, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing and wellbeing.

Daniela is passionate about continuing to grow within the early years sector and is keen to develop her skills and knowledge to provide the best possible support for children in her care.

Lori –  Apprentice

Lori is a mum of two and brings a naturally patient and caring approach to her role. She particularly enjoys supporting children in their play through songs and storytelling, helping to create a warm and engaging environment for all. Before joining us, Lori worked as a hairdresser. After having her own children, she decided to pursue a more family-friendly career that would allow her to spend valuable time with her children at weekends, while following her passion for working with young children. Lori loves caring for and nurturing the children in our setting, supporting them as they learn, grow, and develop. She is excited to continue building her career in early years with Family First and to be part of our nursery community.

Abbie – Apprentice

Abbie brings a warm and friendly nature to our setting. She has a brother and loves her two dachshund dogs. She has previous experience working in retail and also worked as a nanny for a family with a young girl. This experience sparked her interest in early years and inspired her to pursue a career in childcare. Abbie is passionate about supporting children’s development and has a particular interest in wellbeing and safeguarding. She is looking forward to growing her knowledge and skills and will be working towards completing her Early Learning and Childcare qualification with us.