Our Early Years Managers
Coriena Douglas
Coriena has been involved with Bananas Playgroup ever since her daughter joined in 2002, initially as a parent doing duties and a member of the committee, before the opportunity to study as a playleader become available at the group.
Since then Coriena has passed the SVQ 3 course in Early Years Care and Education and the SVQ 4 in Children's Care, Learning and Development. She also has qualifications in Elementary Food Hygiene and First Aid in Childcare and Health Emergencies.
She continues to complete training courses in Child Protection, as the playgroup's Child Protection Co-ordinator, Planning and Improvement, courses on ADHD, Asthma and Infection Control and has completed several courses on the Curriculum for Excellence and dealing with different behaviours. Coriena is registered with the Scottish Social Service Council.
Coriena gets most enjoyment when she sees the children develop thoughout the time they have been at playgroup and by providing challenging and stimulating activities for them.
Christine Parker
Christine has been actively involved with children since her son was born in the millennium. She is a past chairperson of both Broughton Toddlers and Bananas and was a relief playleader before starting as a full time playleader. She is currently on the Additional Needs Supply List for local primary schools.
Christine's qualifications include SVQs Level 3 and 4 in Children's Care, Learning and Development as well as Elementary Food Hygiene and First Aid in Childcare and Health Emergencies.
Christine has attended many training courses including HMIe in Early Years, Curriculum Planning, Child Protection, Movement and Breathing, Dyslexia, DFE and Speech and Language. She feels that the training has given her a wider understanding of childcare and she has been able to use her new knowledge to benefit Bananas Playgroup.
Christine especially enjoys craft activities, baking and story time and relishes the feedback she gets from helping children learn through play.
For Coriena and Christine's full qualifications and training, please click here.
Our Assistants
Emma Reid
Emma has been involved with Bananas Playgroup for 12 years, since her son joined at the age of 3. She has performed various roles on the Management Committee as well as holding a full time position as an Additional Needs Assistant.
In 2007 Emma completed her SVQ 3 in Child Care, Learning and Development as well as a Diploma with Highest Honours in Child Psychology. Emma holds a First Aid and Emergency Certificate and has attended various courses including Assertive Discipline and Teaching Children with Challenging Behaviour. Emma works four mornings a week at Bananas (Mondays, Tuesdays , Wednesdays & Fridays).
Emma really enjoys working with children of all ages and thinks it is important to offer a stimulating, safe and happy environment for them. She admits to finding the pre-school years the most rewarding.
Ali Janeway
Ali has been involved with Bananas for the last four years as both a parent and as a relief assistant playleader. She is on duty every Thursday and on alternate Wednesdays and holds a SVQ level 3 in Advanced Skills in Foster Care, which encompasses many aspects of child development.
Ali really enjoys story time, dancing, movement and drama with the children.
Lesley Mason
Lesley has been involved with Bananas since 2003 when her daughter Hazel started attending. She became an assistant playleader in 2008, when Fergus enroled.
Lesley works at Bananas on alternate Wednesdays. In her other job she works for the Royal Highland Education Trust and arranges for school groups to visit farms to learn how their food is produced.
Our Relief Assistants
It is necessary for us to have a back up team of Relief Assistants, who are the wonderful people we rely on to cover for any absences of the permanent staff.
They not only cover for absence through sickness, but also enable our staff to attend training courses.
They all have up to date Enhanced Disclosures and are knowledgable of all our policies, curriculum and standards. All are experienced, so your children are in good hands.
The Management Committee
Bananas is run by a management committee, which is elected from amongst all parent members at the Annual General Meeting. The committee is responsible for overseeing finances, employment of staff, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, compiling duty rotas and liaising with Scottish Borders Council and other authorities. The committee also arranges trips, outings and special events including fund-raising events.
The committee meets regularly, with the office bearers in attendance only. There is an open meeting each term, to which everyone is invited, and the committee also provides regular information via a newsletter and on the notice boards at Bananas.
For details of members of this year's committee, please click here.
