History
We started in 1965 as a playgroup which was a focal point in the village for many years. It started when a group of mothers came together and brought some of their own toys for the children to share when playing. At this stage the parents recognised the benefits of their children being together and decided to fundraise for toys for the group. The playgroup developed and was on of the first to affiliate to the former 'Scottish Playgroups Association' which is now known as 'Early Years Scotland'.
The Group expanded and started meeting in the Public Hall. since the group was community-based it later moved into the Community Centre when the Paisley Convalescent Home was given to Ayr County Council. At the Annual General Meeting in 1999 it was voted that the then playgroup should be known as West Kilbride Village Nursery.
From May 2015 we became known as West Kilbride Early Years Centre, retaining the trading name West Kilbride Village Nursery SCIO for business purposes.
Regulatory, Trade & Charity Organisations We Work With
Our Board of Directors
The centre is under the overall management of The Board of Directors and is a registered charity. The board is comprised of a group of members who volunteer to take on the roles of:
Chairperson & Vice Chair
Treasurer & Vice Treasurer
Secretary & Vice Secretary
Members of the Board
Fundraising Committee
We also aim to have a separate committee who can focus on the main fundraising events and organise the sourcing and completion of grant forms. We fund raise all year and this enables us to be able to provide a high quality of provisions and resources for the children.
Funds raised support all activities and experiences offered to the children and their families. This includes our spectacular evening events such as our Fantasy Night held at the end of October and our Winter Wonderland which has replaced the traditional Christmas Party.
Charitable Obligations
As a charitable organisation we have administrative duties that take place on a monthly & annual basis which informs our AGM (Annual General Meeting).
The Constitution is a document that informs the number of board members required to ensure WKEYC is quorate and can perform its legal duties.
You can view our Constitution, Annual Accounts and the previous years AGM Minutes by clicking the button below.
Membership of our SCIO
as parents or carers you automatically become a key member over charity which is a Scottish charitable incorporated organisation (SCIO).
according to our constitution the following people are our members:
1) The parents or guardians of children on the attendance register of the organisation.
2) any registered childminder or adult family carer who regularly accompanies a child on the register.
3) any other individual aged over 16 or over who does not qualify for membership under paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 but is nominated by two members who do fulfil the membership qualification under those paragraphs.
we have adopted this model to keep our administration simple and because we always invite our families and carers to all our formal events.
Advice from OSCR (Office of the Scottish charity regulator)
OSCR does not have an objection to this method of managing our membership but has asked us to advise members of the following (and remember our charity is a SCIO). All members must:
1) act in the interests of the SCIO;
2) seek, in good faith, to ensure the SCIO acts in a manner which is consistent with its charitable status.
OSCR recognises members may not be involved in the day-to-day management and control of the SCIO. At a practical level the membership powers are most likely to apply when there are changes in the Constitution or when electing new directors.
if you require any further information please contact:
Manager@wkeyc.co.uk specifying subject: OSCR Membership
Our People
Early Years Manager,
Mrs Pisani
My passion in life has been about the nurturing care and development of children’s learning. I started my career working with children in 1983 as a Nursery Nurse at Seafield Children’s Hospital in Ayr. I then moved onto West Kilbride Village Nursery in 1996 as a Nursery Nurse working with the children in the playrooms. By 2001, i was the Manager of the nursery and i undertook my BA in Childhood Practice in 2009. I have used my skills and knowledge to lead the nursery forward and manged the change from a nursery to West Kilbride Early Years Centre in 2015. I am proud to continue to lead and develop the staff and the early years centre as we progress towards 2020 and children attending early years for up to six hours per day.
Deputy Early Years Manager, Mrs McGill
My Childcare journey started in 2009 when I received my HNC in Early Education an Childcare. Gaining a position as a practitioner in a nursery in Largs, where I worked for over 10 years. Starting as a practitioner, working my way up to a Senior of the 3-4’s and for the latter 8 years senior of the 3-5’s. During this time I acquired a large number of skills to help lead, provide a rich learning and nurturing environment for all in my care.
I joined WKEYC in April 2021 and I have loved getting to know the children and staff. I had the opportunity to start my BA in Childhood Practice this year (2022) at the University of the West of Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity and I am really looking forward to implementing and sharing my knowledge with the whole staff team. It is an absolute pleasure working at WKEYC and I am excited for all the times ahead.
Early Years Senior Practitioner & CFE Coordinator,
Mrs Byers
I started working with children as a Nursery Nurse in 1980. I started my career in a children’s day nursery in East Kilbride in 1981. I then moved to the lovely village of West Kilbride when I started my family in 1985. Being passionate about working with children I started as a parent helper at West Kilbride Village Nursery where my children attended, taking up employment in the nursery in 1993. I undertook a Professional Development Course and was promoted to Deputy Manager supporting the manager in all areas of the centre whilst also continuing to work with the children in the classrooms.
When Curriculum for excellence was implemented I became the Curriculum Development and Planning Coordinator, ensuring that the children received high quality learning experiences.
Finance & Office Administrator,
Mrs Wilson
Having graduated from Heriot Watt University in 2000 with a BSc in Estate Management, I then qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2002 and worked in private practice for 6 years I subsequently worked in Corporate Property Finance at an international bank for 6 years before taking a career break in 2012 to start a family. Both of my children attended WKEYC and so when the opportunity came up as financial administrator at the nursery I enjoyed taking on the challenge of a change of career. My past experience as both a professional and in the finance sector help with the financial planning and budgeting required in my current role. Previous short term jobs in administration and receptionist roles also help in the day to day admin of the office.
Early Years Senior Practitioner,
Mrs Blair
I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in 2010 when I worked within different early year settings gaining experience such as 1:1 support, toddler rooms and with ante and preschool children. I am currently working towards a Hygge in Early Years Accreditation award (inspired by the Danish way of living well. A slow and calm approach to early education focusing on creating more joy to support child led learning). In addition I am also studying Wanderlust: A Nature Study Programme, ‘raising children that love nature!’.
I am motivated by seeing children grow, develop, learn and thrive. I strive to provide the highest possible quality of childcare and early education, promoting awe and wonder in early childhood. My past qualifications in business studies and administration are benefiting me in my current role as Senior Early Years Practitioner.
Our Wonderful Early Years
Practitioners.