Juliet Hancock: Chair and SCMA President
Juliet has been the President of SCMA for many years and, once again, will be our chairperson for the SCMA Conference 2025 - welcoming delegates from all across Scotland to the event.
In terms of her background, Juliet started teaching in primary schools in London before moving to a promoted post as part of the management team with a primary school in Cambridge, then worked for two years in a State Secondary school in Karoi, Zimbabwe as Head of Department for English. In 1990, she moved to Scotland and worked with the third sector as part of an initiative supporting under-fives education, before taking on a national role promoting early years education, with the Scottish Pre-School Play Association.
Holding a lecturing post at Falkirk College, Juliet developed flexible learning programmes in early childhood education, before taking on the role of development officer with Learning and Teaching Scotland. During her time at Learning and Teaching Scotland, she had responsibility for taking forward Scotland’s first national guidance of Birth to Three, as well as leading developments on pedagogy in early childhood education, curriculum and listening to children.
Juliet subsequently moved to the role of Senior Education Officer for early years with local government - continuing her focus on pedagogy, curriculum and children’s rights, before joining Moray House School of Education and Sport, the University of Edinburgh, as a Lecturer, also acting as an international early years consultant for the Open Society Foundation and taking on the role of Director of Professional Learning for Moray House in August 2017. Juliet served as a consultant for the Open Society Foundation in Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova, working on early years inclusion. She has also served as a Qualifications and Development Specialist within SQA and served on a number of Scottish Government and national advisory groups.
Recently retired from her full-time post at Moray House School of Education and Sport, Juliet continues her keen interest in children's education, wellbeing and rights through her consultancy work. Becoming a first-time Gram-gram to her granddaughter in January will ensure that Juliet continues to keep her hand in!
Barbara Dennistoun: SCMA Convener
For over 20 years, Barbara has dedicated her career to creating nurturing and engaging environments for children in South Lanarkshire. As a registered childminder since 2002 and a partner provider with the local council since 2018, her passion lies in fostering children's holistic development through enriching experiences.
Along with embracing childminding, Barbara spent 10 years as a foster carer in Glasgow, gaining invaluable experience in understanding the diverse needs and sensitivities of children. This foundation, coupled with her SVQ Level 3 in Children's Learning, Care and Development, solidified her commitment to continuous learning.
Recognising the power of play in early childhood development, Barbara undertook the Froebel course in Childhood Practice at the University of Edinburgh which has deepened her understanding of play-based philosophy and its practical applications in professional early years practice today. She tirelessly advocates for high-quality childminding practices that prioritise children's well-being and growth and her rich experience and knowledge of Frobel now empowers her to champion play-based pedagogy and to support fellow childminders in implementing these principles in their settings.
Barbara’s commitment to supporting children extends beyond her individual practice and she was delighted to be accepted last year onto the Scottish Childminding Association's Family Childminding Partnership contract – expanding her reach and providing specialised care to local vulnerable families.
Graeme McAlister: Chief Executive of SCMA
Graeme took up post as Chief Executive of SCMA in April 2019, and since then he has worked to strengthen membership engagement and support, to increase the influence of SCMA and the value attached to childminding.
In 2021, he launched an ambitious new ten-year Changing the Narrative strategy for SCMA, with the first phase of implementation (from 2021 - 2024) focusing on Strengthening Childminding, Supporting Families and Increasing Choice. This strategy provided a catalyst for change which created much wider interest in and support for childminding, including securing vital commitments to childminding in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government.
We are now one year into the second phase of the strategy – a delivery phase focused on ‘Childminding: Providing Solutions for Scotland’ (2024 – 2027). This work includes SCMA delivering the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future (PSCF), a three - year programme predominantly funded by Scottish Government which aims aims to grow the childminding workforce. This will be achieved through piloting new ways to support and retain our current childminders, as well as recruiting new childminders in areas where they are needed.
Prior to joining SCMA, Graeme worked for almost 20 years in a number of roles spanning membership, communications and advocating evidence-based policy and practice in the Third Sector and health. He has a strong interest in mental health and wellbeing, inequalities and influencing change.
Audrey Donnan: Chief Inspector for Early Learning and Childcare, Care Inspectorate
ADD COPY
Clare Josa: Imposter Syndrome Author, Speaker and Leadership Mentor
Clare Josa is considered a global authority on Imposter Syndrome, having spent the past fifteen years working with business leaders to help them to overcome it, as well as leading the landmark 2019 Imposter Syndrome Research Study and publishing her new book: Ditching Imposter Syndrome.
An expert in the neuroscience and psychology of performance, her original training as an engineer, specialising in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing, means her inspirational approach is grounded in practical common sense, creating breakthroughs not burnout.
She is the author of eight books and has been interviewed by the likes of The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and Radio 4, amongst others. Clare speaks internationally on how to change the world by changing yourself.
Ben Kingston-Hughes: Managing Director, Inspired Children
Ben Kingston-Hughes is an international keynote speaker, author and multi award-winning trainer. He is also the Managing Director of Inspired Children and has worked with vulnerable children across the UK for over 30 years.
He has appeared on television several times working on a variety of children’s projects and his distinctive blend of humour, neuroscience and real-life practical experiences have made his training invaluable for anyone working with children.
His groundbreaking book, “A Very Unusual Journey into Play.” is now available and his new book “Why Children Need Joy” was a finalist for the Nursery World Professional Book of the Year 2024 where it was awarded “Highly Commended”
Karen Watson: The Scottish ASN Teacher
Add Copy
Nyree Cooper: Quality and Learning Lead, SCMA
Add Copy
Lisa France: Senior Childminding Development Officer, SCMA
Add Copy
Susannah Knox: Professional Learning Manager
Susannah was a childminder for 17 years before becoming SCMA’s Professional Learning Manager four years ago. She previously worked as a Project Co-ordinator and trainer for young people as well as an SQA Assessor for Modern Apprenticeships. Having extensive knowledge and understanding of childminding as well as listening to lots of our members feedback has really helped the Professional Learning Team at SCMA to shape our learning to ensure it is interesting, relevant, and accessible.
In the last four years our existing professional learning offering has been extensively updated, revised, and added to. We have also introduced webinars, podcasts, and new content on our bespoke learning platform. We are also participating in further work to support members including a review of all resources, including paperwork.