Owner Carol MacRae set up Ankerville Nurseries over 20 years ago...
Our Head of Centre, Carol MacRae has over 40 years’ experience in childcare. Having successfully completed a BA in Childhood Practice. Carol, manages the staff in all nurseries to provide children with a wide variety of stimulating opportunities and believes that the children should be an active part of the community. We strongly encourage children’s independence and supporting their ability to self regulate and manage their play.
At Ankerville, we pride ourselves on the close relationships we build with our families and the care and support we give to all our children, in keeping with our belief that this should be responsive and appropriate to the individual child and their stage of development.
ANKERVILLE ALNESS
Baby Room
Hi my name is Kerrie and I have been part of the team since 2009, I am Assistant Manger of the Alness Under 3's. I love my job as every day is different and being a part of each child's life, watching them learn and grow is a privilege. Outside of work I spend my time with my own two children and enjoy socialising with friends and family.
Hi my name is Katie, I joined Ankerville in 2019 and am one of the Supervisors. I enjoy going to work every day to help each child develop their social skills and promote their learning through play. In my spare time I enjoy socialising with my friends and playing football for my team.
Hi I’m Becky! I’ve been a nursery practitioner in Alness since 2020. I enjoy how every day can be different and we are faced with daily opportunities to learn more. I enjoy walks to the woods and messy play while at nursery. In my spare time I enjoy being with my own little boy, family, friends and staying active with fitness classes and walks.
Hi my name is Hannah and I started in June 2024 having previously worked as an after school helper for 2 years. I also attending Ankerville myself as a child and am enjoying being back as a staff member. I enjoying exploring in the community with the children and learning alongside them.
Toddler Room
Hi, my name is Lucy and I’m one of the under 3s Assistant Managers and part of the Training Team. I became an Ankerville member of staff in 2013. I enjoy coming to work every day to see the smiles on the children's faces and watching them as they learn and grow through their play. In my spare time I like to socialise with friends and spend time with my little boys Alfie & Brodie.
Hi my name is Sarah-Kate. I first started as an apprentice in 2018, I love how I was able to complete my training here at Ankerville. I enjoy seeing the children develop and grow from young children to confident pre-schoolers ready for their next chapter in life. In my spare time I enjoy meeting up with my friends and family.
Hi my name is Ellen and I started working at Ankerville in March 2024. I am enjoying how everyday is different. I love exploring the outdoors with the children and seeing them use their imagination while playing and learning. Outside of work you will find me spending time with my own little family and 2 dogs.
3-5s Room
Hello, I’m Catriona and I am currently the manager of Alness 3-5’s nursery. I have worked as a primary teacher with a specialism in early years for the past 8 years. I previously worked in Ankerville from a young age so it’s lovely to be back where I started. I love seeing children grow and develop over the years and helping them develop their learning. In my free time, I like to go running or spend time with my family.
Hello my name is Laura and I have worked in Ankerville since 2011. I’m currently the Assistant Manager of the 3-5s. I love it, my passion has always been to offer the very best for the young people in my care. It’s so rewarding watching the children grow and learn every day. I feel very lucky to work with such a special team. In my spare time I love spending time with family and enjoy the outdoors with my own 2 amazing kids.
Hi I'm Rebecca and I am a supervisor and also part of the Training Team. After graduating Ankerville in 2004 I came back to work as part of the team in 2017. I have been fortunate to experience all 3 settings, playing a role in children's lives during their early years is extremely rewarding. I dedicate my free time it to spending it with my family, two horses and my dog Tessa.
Hi my name is Tricia and I'm one of the supervisors and ASN Lead, I have been a part of Ankerville team since 2016. My job is my passion and I enjoy coming to work each day, I love that Ankerville provides an environment that is inclusive and nurturing while supporting each child to thrive. In my spare time I can usually be found curled up with a book or spending time with my two children.
Hi, I'm Kirsty and I have been working at Ankerville Nursery in Alness since 2014. I've enjoyed watching many children grow through the years during my time here, as well as my own two children. I was given the opportunity to study my SVQ and further develop my knowledge and understanding of how to promote and encourage children to reach their full potential. I'm also a carer for my autistic brother which has taught me to be compassionate and understanding, these qualities are also evident in the staff that I've been fortunate enough to work alongside.
Hi my name is Kamryn and I am currently working towards my SVQ at Ankerville Alness. I find it incredibly rewarding working in a nursery setting, getting to watch and help young children develop their skills and personalities. In my spare time, I enjoy taking my dogs for walks and spending time with friends and family.
Hi I'm Louise, I have worked in Ankerville since 2019. I love my job, helping each child develop through there different stages and watching the children become individuals. In my spare time I enjoy walking/taking my two kids on new adventures and spending time with family and friends.
Hi my name is Laura and I have worked for Ankerville since 2017, I began working here when my daughter started in P1. Previously she attended Ankerville herself and loved it. At work I love to get the children involved in the garden, we have planted vegetables and herbs for the children to learn how to care for them each day. I love encouraging the children to use their fantastic imaginations by going on 'adventures' such as to the moon, under the sea and other stories. In my spare time I love to cook, bake and spend time with my daughter Abigail and partner Bill.
Hi my name is Shirley I have worked at Ankerville since September 2022, and was an Ankerville parent before hand. Each day I love coming into work and seeing the children achieve their goals and build beautiful friendships. When not at work, I love to spend time with family & friends. Especially my two girls Maise & Poppy who love being outdoors.
Office
My name is Carol, owner and Managing Director of Ankerville Nurseries. I have worked in early years for over 40 years and since 1999 I have run my own nurseries, initially Ankerville House in Tain. I believe in offering the best environment possible for both staff and children to flourish through dedicated, specialist training and investment into their surroundings. Both my granddaughter’s and great nieces and nephews have used and grown up in my Tain and Alness settings. In my spare time I like to share it with my family and friends and going on holidays with my husband Donald or out walking with my two Cockapoos.
Hi my name is Pamela Cassie and I joined the Ankerville team in 2014. I work in the Office. I'm one of the first faces you see when you walk through our doors, I like to welcome both parents and children, hopefully putting them at ease as nursery can be very daunting time for some. As time goes on I love seeing the children progress through their different stages when they are with us and it does get quite emotional when they leave. In my spare time I love spending time with my family and friends, socialising watching football and trying to keep myself fit.
Training Team
Hi I'm Kathleen, I have worked in Ankerville since 2001. I first began as a nursery practitioner and have worked with all ages over the years. I then started to be an Assessor supporting the staff gain their childcare award and I'm now the Training Manager. I love my job, especially seeing the enjoyment when the staff members gain that precious certificate. In my spare time I'm part of a judo club, which I have done for a very long time. I also love to read.
Hi I'm Dorothy and I have worked in many different areas of childcare all of my working life, having been a childminder, practitioner and manager, I started working for Ankerville in 2014, where I have worked as an Assessor, Trainer and Internal Verifier and in all of my years of working for different organisations and employers, I have never worked for a more caring and supportive employer. My hobbies are reading watching documentaries and in the past few months trying to make "Reading a story" videos for my two granddaughters, one living in the central belt of Scotland and one living in Melbourne, Australia
Hi, I’m Tracey, I have loved working for Ankerville since 2010 and feel lucky to be part of a fantastic team. I started off as a nursery practitioner working in the baby room, then became an assessor in 2016 supporting staff to achieve their Modern Apprenticeship. In 2019, I completed my BA in Childhood Practice and began supporting senior phase pupils to achieve their Foundation Apprenticeship. I have recently qualified as an Internal Verifier where I continue to work as part of the Training Team to ensure our training is of the highest quality. In 2021, I also became part of our Quality Assurance Team where we all strive to maintain our excellent nursery provision. In my spare time, I love spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, listening to music, reading and shopping.
Hi, my name is Lucy and I’m one of the under 3s Assistant Managers and part of the Training Team. I became an Ankerville member of staff in 2013. I enjoy coming to work every day to see the smiles on the children's faces and watching them as they learn and grow through their play. In my spare time I like to socialise with friends and spend time with my little boys Alfie & Brodie.
Hi I'm Rebecca and I am a supervisor and also part of the Training Team. After graduating Ankerville in 2004 I came back to work as part of the team in 2017. I have been fortunate to experience all 3 settings, playing a role in children's lives during their early years is extremely rewarding. I dedicate my free time it to spending it with my family, two horses and my dog Tessa.
Cooks
Hi my name is Kirsten and I work in the Alness Kitchen. I started working for Ankerville in February 2022. I enjoy making lovely new dishes for the children to try as well as encouraging them to try new things as part of a healthy balanced diet. In my spare time I enjoying spending quality time with my own children, family and friends.
ANKERVILLE HOUSE TAIN
Baby Room
Hi my name is Ellie and I started working for Ankerville in March 2023. After doing my Fountain Apprenticeship I was lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to work for Ankerville and gain my Modern Apprenticeship. I also attended Ankerville when I was a child and being back reminds me of loads of lovely memories and I am enjoying creating new ones with the children. Away from work, I enjoy spending time with my Friends and Family.
Hi my name is Katie but I am known as Katie Mhorag since attending Ankerville myself as a child. I have worked for Ankerville since September 2012, and I am one of the Supervisors. During my time here I have been fortunate enough to have worked in all 3 settings and with all ages. Each day I get to support the children discover their own strengths and talents as well as helping to reach new individual milestones. In my spare time I enjoy making lovely memories with my own little boy, Kane.
Toddler Room
Hi my name is Amy. I have been part of Ankerville since 2005 as I attended the nursery as a child. I then started as an after school helper in 2016 and then went on to work full time in 2020 when I started my apprenticeship. I love my job as it allows me to help and watch each child grow and develop in so many ways. When I'm not working I like spending time with my family, attending concerts and music gigs.
3-5s Room
Hi my name is Stacey and I started with Ankerville in February 2020. I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of the job - especially taking the children out on our weekly adventuresin the community and helping the children be creative with crafts. In my spare time I enjoy being with my own little boy.
Hi I'm Fiona. I'm the manager of Ankerville House and the Baby Unit, Tain and have been part of the team since 1999. I enjoy helping children spark their creativity and imagination through stories and songs. In my real life I'm a 'dance mom' to my daughters. I am also partial to a wee sing song on the Karaoke.
Hi I'm Gemma, the assistant Manager of Ankerville House. I have worked with Ankerville since 2005 and still love each and every day. The nurseries values are evident in each room: family orientated with the individual child's needs always at the forefront, which was so important for me as a parent also. My home life is all about spending quality time with my family and friends.
Hi, my name is Stacey and I've been a part of the Ankerville team since 2017 and am one of the Supervisors. I have had the opportunity to work in all three settings during my time with Ankerville. My favourite thing about working for Ankerville is getting to know each of the children individually and watching them learn and grow over their time spent at nursery. In my free time I enjoy getting out and about and exploring new places.
Hi my name is Iona and I started working for Ankerville Alness in 2021. During this time I have completed my Foundation Apprenticeship, and have now started working on my Modern Apprenticeship. I love each day and I like to be apart of the childrens everyday learning and making them smile. In my spare time I enjoy teaching swimming lessons and spending time with my Nieces and Nephews.











































