Team

Joe

CEO

Joe brings over 30 years of senior leadership experience to Puddleduck Nursery, with a career built on operational excellence, team development, and delivering exceptional standards across some of Scotland’s most prestigious organisations. Beginning in the health and leisure sector, Joe progressed into hotel management, holding senior roles with global brands including Hilton and IHG before moving into independent ownership groups. His career highlights include serving as Director of Operations across multiple properties simultaneously, working alongside three championship golf courses, and building high-performing teams in some of the most demanding hospitality environments in the country. Most recently, Joe led the operational management of the Marhall estate through a significant period of transformation — appointed by administrators, he successfully oversaw the completion of the sale, assembled an entirely new team, and managed a £30 million refurbishment programme from the ground up. He has spent the past year consulting across the sector before bringing his wealth of expertise to early years care. Joe is passionate about applying the same rigorous standards of leadership, guest experience, and operational quality that defined his hospitality career to creating a truly outstanding environment for children and families at Puddleduck.

Kathleen

Nursery Manager

Kathleen has a long-term career in the childcare industry which began back in 2001 with training with Carousel and achieving her SVQ 3 in 2003. Kathleen continued to grow as a practitioner and added SVQ 4 to her qualifications, she is now studying towards her PDA Childhood Practice with Glasgow Clyde College. Soon after becoming a manager, with Kathleen as manager her setting achieved the best scores in care inspectorate history in Glasgow of all 6s. This is the highlight of her career. Kathleen believes in delivering a curriculum with a child's individual needs, cognitive and social-emotional processes in mind. She is great team player with the ability to support other staff members and work with management. Kathleen is also the leader of our parents committee, this is a great way to get our service users involved in the life of the nursery. Kathleen Is one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) and last updated her training in October 2025, she also received her updated Paediatric First Aid at Work Training in August 2025.

Claire

Depute Manager

Claire Murray has worked at Puddleduck since qualifying as a Practitioner in 2014. In that time she has been promoted to senior practitioner then team leader before getting her latest promotion to depute Manager and she runs our little duckling department. Claire has completed SVQ 2,3 & 4. Claire is passionate about her career and enjoys helping both the staff and children to reach their highest potential. Claire prides herself in providing and maintaining a safe, caring and fun environment for the children within the Puddleduck setting. Claire Is one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) and last updated her training in October 2025, she also received her updated Paediatric First Aid at Work Training in August 2025.

Lesley

Senior Leader of Learning

Lesley started her journey in Childcare over 20 years ago, and has worked in a wide variety of childcare settings ranging from Nursery to primary, Secondary and a children's charity organisation. Lesley is our Lead Practitioner within the 3-5 year old room and she works with other professional's who visit our nursery such as Glasgow City Council teacher, Lesley works alongside them and her staff team to implement and monitor learning such as numeracy and literacy. Lesley has started her own professional journey in August 2025 to achieve her PDA childhood Practice award.

Orlaith

Qualified Leader of Learning

Orlaith began her career in Puddleduck nursery in August 2024, she show confidence and takes pride in what she does. She completed her SVQ level 3 in Childcare and development and is also a qualified paediatric first aider.

Lorraine

Qualified Leader of Learning

Lorraine has been working in early years for 4 years and started in Puddleduck early in 2024. She completed her qualification and achieved her SVQ level 3 in Early Years and Childcare. Lorraine enjoys exploring arts and crafts and science with the children.

Abby

Qualified Leader of Learning

Abby started her career in early years in March 2023, when she Joined Puddleduck nursery. She successfully completed her SVQ Level 3 in childcare and development with L&G Learning in August 2024. Abby is a bubbly member of staff who has developed positive relationships with all children, families and staff, she also works alongside Pauline in part of our Eco committee.

Liana

Early Years Modern Apprentice

Liana has began her journey in her SVQ level 3 Early year qualification, she has settled in well and made great relationships with children, families and staff. We look forward to celebrating her achievements.

Megan

Early Years Modern Apprentice

Lily

Nursery Cleaner

Lauren

Nursery Chef

I bring over 15 years of experience in food and hospitality, including running my own catering business and working in professional kitchen environments.

Emma Timoney

Puddleduck Social Media Creator

Hi, I'm Emma and I recently joined Puddleduck Nursery as Social Media Creator! You'll usually find me taking photos, capturing special moments, sharing events/updates all over our socials, and helping show families what Puddleduck gets up to every day. I'm currently finishing my HND in Media and Communications at Glasgow Clyde College and will be graduating this year. I've always loved being creative, whether that's writing, creating content, or coming up with new ideas, it’s exactly the place that be allows my brain to be free creatively! One of my favourite things is getting to know people and hearing their stories. I love showing the real personalities behind the photos and sharing the little moments that make PuddleDuck such a lovely place to be. I'm excited to continue building my skills, exploring new creative opportunities, and sharing all the amazing things happening at the nursery! ❤️