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 2024 - 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.
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 recently embarked on the Froebel course in Childhood Practice at the University of Edinburgh. This rigorous program, she began in autumn 2023, is deepening her understanding of Froebel's play-based philosophy and its practical applications in professional early years practice today. Barbara is eager to integrate these insights into her childminding setting, further enriching the experiences she offers young minds.
Recognising the importance of community and shared learning, particularly during the pandemic, Barbara re-joined the Scottish Executive Board in 2021. Currently, she serves as the Convener for SCMA, where she tirelessly advocates for high-quality childminding practices that prioritise children's well-being and growth. Her rich experience and the ongoing knowledge gained through the Froebel course empower her to champion play-based pedagogy and support fellow childminders in implementing these principles in their settings.
Barbara views continuous learning as the cornerstone of her childminding journey. The Froebel course serves as a testament to her dedication to acquiring valuable tools and strategies that enhance her practice and benefit both the children in her care and their families.
Commitment to supporting children extends beyond her individual practice. She is thrilled to announce her recent acceptance into the Scottish Childminding Association's Family Childminding Partnership contract. This exciting opportunity allows her to expand her reach and provide specialised care to vulnerable families in her area, making a positive impact on their lives.
With its focus on Barbara's dedication, continuous learning, and the impact of the Froebel course, this profile highlights her qualifications and passion for providing exceptional childminding care. Additionally, it emphasises her commitment to supporting vulnerable families, showcasing her well-rounded approach to fostering the well-being of children in her community.
Natalie Don MSP: Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise
Natalie Don was born in Paisley and grew up in Bridge of Weir. Natalie attended Gryffe High School and then went on to study History at University of Glasgow.
Before and during her time at University, Natalie worked in a variety of sales roles working her way up to manager of a local food retailer.
Natalie was elected as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Renfrewshire North and West in 2021. Prior to this, she served as the Councillor for Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank.
Natalie Don was appointed as Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise in March 2023.
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.
SCMA prioritised supporting members, children, and families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic during which childminding stayed open more than any other form of childcare. Graeme led the development of SCMA’s first three-year strategy (launched in May 2021 and at a time when few were looking forward) to promote recovery, strengthen childminding, support families, and increase choice.
Arising from this, Graeme and SCMA were shortlisted for the Leadership and COVID-19 Awards in the Scottish Public Service Awards 2021 - the only Third Sector organisation in both categories. This strategy has provided a catalyst for change, and created much wider interest in and support for childminding including securing vital commitments to childminding in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government.
This will enable SCMA to deliver an ambitious national programme aimed at supporting the existing childminding workforce by piloting a series of innovative measures to improve retention while scaling-up our childminder recruitment model nationally with the goal of increasing the childminding workforce by 1000 in three years.
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.
At this year's Conference, Graeme will share with members the details of our exciting new three-year strategy: ‘Childminding: Providing Solutions for Scotland’ and provide an update on our work to grow and retain a sustainable childminding workforce.
Dr James McTaggart: Educational Psychologist, Writer and Consultant
James is an Educational Psychologist with specialisms in early years and childhood trauma. His work ranges from infant mental health to developmentally informed curriculum in early primary school.
James was one of the writers for Realising the Ambition and contributes consultation and content for Parent Club and other national resources. More locally, he curates bumps2bairns.com.
He loves to chat to anyone about anything early years, and often does this on Twitter as @JamesEdPsych, or blogging on happyandlearning.com.
Clare-Louise Knox: Founder and CEO of ‘See Her Thrive’
Clare is a Business Psychologist and the visionary founder of ‘See Her Thrive’. Her own experience of working with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) ignited a mission to revolutionise the way menstrual and reproductive health conditions are addressed in the workplace. Clare is a trailblazer, leading the change for greater awareness and support for women’s health issues at work.
She spent two years as Board Director at the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) and is an affiliate member of The British Menopause Society, Association for Business Psychology, British Psychological Society, CIPD and Institute of Directors. She’s also a lay examiner for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Clare was selected for a Government Taskforce to address menstrual stigma and education in the UK and is a member of an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Women’s Health at Work. She has lectured on Women’s Mental Health at King’s College London, where she conducted research on maternal mental health in collaboration with the NHS and Ministry of Defence.