TAKE A BREAK WITH FIONA, BRIGHT HORIZONS NURSERY MANAGER

TAKE A BREAK WITH FIONA MACLEOD, BRIGHT HORIZONS NURSERY MANAGER

Meet Fiona Macleod, the bubbly new manager of on-site nursery Bright Horizons who has a secret talent for singing and a passion for all things Scottish.

A Day at Nursery Discovery Day F r i d a y 1 1 t h O c t o b e r Fiona re-located from London late last year to take over running our busy on-site nursery whilst manager Lyndsay Kilpatrick is on maternity leave. With over 25 years of childcare experience her passion for early years care shines through. "It’s the best job in the world" she says. "I knew from the age of 16 this was what I wanted to do." Trained as a professional singer she gave up a scholarship to sing in the West End to pursue a career in childcare. From Dingwall to Dundee, Skye to Shetland Fiona also has a huge extended family across Scotland and being closer to them is one of the reasons she re-located to Glasgow. "My parents are very proud of their Scottish heritage. My dad played bagpipes and tried to teach us when we were growing up and we did Scottish country dancing lessons at the weekend. Every school holiday was spent up here" Fiona is relishing her time at Skypark. There is great community spirit here she says "we are part of something special at Skypark. I love the potential for partnerships, particularly in fundraising. We have a Bright Horizons Foundation and raise money to put Bright Spaces in places normally intimidating or unpleasant for children to be in. It’s incredible to make a difference to a child or to family life. Can you help? Bright Horizons are collecting new Easter themed toys and activities for the Glasgow Children’s Hospital. If you wish to donate please leave your gift with Brian on the Concierge Desk in Skypark 1. Hospital staff have asked that no edible items are given as there are children with a range of medical and dietary requirements.

w o n d e r e d w h a t a d a y i n a n u r s e r y l o o k s l i k e ? C o m e a l o n g t o o u r n u r s e r y y D a y w h e r e y o u c a n e x p e r i e n c e o u r d a i l y r o u t i n e a s w e l l a s s e e i n g h o w w e n a t u r a l o p p o r t u n i t y t o s u p p o r t a n d n u r t u r e e a r l y l e a r n i n g a n d d e v e l o p m e n t . C o n t a c t u s t o R S V P o r f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n . What’s a typical day like? "I usually start at 7:30am and if it’s a long day I finish around 6:30pm. At any one time I can be meeting and greeting children and parents, showing new parents around, helping feed or put our children to sleep and overseeing menus and activities. I support our staff team 1 5

and visit each of the rooms over the course of the day."

Have you settled into Glasgow life? “I am still getting used to it – but I am getting lost less! It has taken a while to find my way around but I love having just a 20 minute commute. In some places I have worked previously the commute has been 2 hours! I love being a tourist in Glasgow at the weekend and just wandering around the city."

Describe Yourself "Well I hate flying and travel everywhere by train. I have agreed to go to New York later this year and am not sure how I will manage the long flight. But if I am to describe myself in 3 words I would say I am bubbly, creative and dedicated!"

Bright Horizons provides early years childcare from 6 months to 5 years. The nursery benefits from rooms that are welcoming, spacious and give a real home from home feel, as well as an indoor and outdoor garden space. All meals are healthy, well-balanced and prepared on site using fresh, seasonal ingredients by a team of qualified chefs. Every dietary requirement is catered for and breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner are supplied and included in the monthly fee.

SKYPARK RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM A 10% DISCOUNT.

To book a visit or find out more visit: www.brighthorizons.co.uk or email skypark@brighthorizons.com