Outside of work, I enjoy engaging with research and professional learning relating to Early Years practice, inclusion and child development As a parent of a child with AuDHD, I have a particular interest in neurodiversity, advocacy and ens
Laura Kinnaird
Blackburn,west lothian
Summary
Seasoned Early Years Officer with expertise in strategic leadership and service improvement. Specialises in staff development, coaching, and mentoring, while promoting equity and inclusion. Experienced in quality assurance and safeguarding, with strong skills in multi-agency collaboration and family engagement to support children with additional needs. Focused on leveraging data analysis to implement interventions that enhance educational outcomes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Years Officer
West Lothian Council
08.2023 - Current
- Provide high-quality early learning and childcare while supporting children, families and colleagues across the setting.
- Lead by example in promoting inclusive, child-centred and rights-based practice.
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to support children with a range of additional and emerging needs.
- Provide safeguarding leadership and support child protection processes.
- Supported students, placement learners and newly appointed colleagues through coaching, mentoring, and modelling best practice to foster a positive learning environment.
- Contributed to service improvement through self-evaluation, reflective practice, and participation in Care Inspectorate Improvement Programme to ensure high-quality care and education.
- Design and deliver professional learning and in-house training for staff.
- Oversaw team operations and strategy to enhance service delivery and support children's development.
- Managed supplementary leadership duties
- Acted as a designated member of staff
- Demonstrate financial accountability and effective resource management.
- Purchase Card Holder
- Fire Warden
- Support health and safety compliance and emergency planning.
Equity and Excellence Lead
West Lothian Council
12.2021 - 08.2023
- Led targeted interventions and community-based initiatives aimed at reducing barriers to participation and improving outcomes for children and families.
- Planned, implemented and evaluated targeted interventions using evidence-based approaches.
- Identified learning gaps using Renfrew assessments, data tracking, and professional judgement to inform targeted interventions.
- Delivered Word Boost, Box Clever, Maths Through Stories and PlayBox interventions to improve communication, literacy, numeracy and social development.
- Presented effective practice at Equity Network events, contributing to professional dialogue and influencing practice across establishments.
- Supported colleagues in embedding equitable and inclusive approaches to learning and teaching.
- Collaborated with families to pinpoint barriers and implement practical solutions, enhancing participation and engagement.
- Forged partnerships with charities, community organisations, and external agencies to broaden access to vital support services.
- Established food larders and clothing banks to support families experiencing hardship.
- Signposted parents to adult learning opportunities and local services, helping strengthen family engagement and wellbeing.
- Demonstrated leadership in driving improvement initiatives across teams.
- Led community initiatives to strengthen local partnerships and support networks.
Education
BA Childhood Practice - Childhood practice
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow2027
HND Childhood Practice - Childhood practice
west lothian college
West Lothian, Scotland2011
Skills
- Child protection
- Child safeguarding
- Family and Community Engagement
- Inclusive practices
- Curriculum leadership
- Quality assurance
- Evidence-based interventions
- Community involvement
- Performance evaluation
- Service improvement
- Change management
- Strategic leadership
- Leadership development
- Partnership working
- Multi-agency collaboration
- Community involvement
- Family and Community Engagement
- Family support
- Professional training
- Reflective practice
- Report-writing
- Crisis management
- Resource allocation
- Informed decision making
- Needs assessment
- Assigning work
- Teamwork
- Critical decision making
- Problem solving
- Empathy and compassion
- Conflict Resolution
- Compliance monitoring
- Responsive action
- Cultural awareness
- Influencing skills
- Staff development
- Empathy and compassion
- Conflict Resolution
- Compliance monitoring
- Responsive action
- Cultural awareness
Certification
- Designated Member of Staff (DMS)
- Child Protection and Safeguarding
- Paediatric First Aid
- Food Hygiene
- Fire Warden Training
- Purchase Card Holder Training
- Care Inspectorate Improvement Programme
- PlayBox Intervention Training
- Box Clever Training
- Word Boost Training
- Maths Through Stories Training
- Equality and Diversity
- Health and Safety
- GIRFEC
Interests
Accomplishments
- Led equity-focused interventions that improved access to learning opportunities for children experiencing disadvantage.
- Designed and delivered professional learning for colleagues.
- Presented effective practice at Equity Network events.
- Established community-based supports including food larders and clothing banks.
- Built sustainable partnerships with charities, community organisations and external agencies.
- Mentored students, placement learners and new members of staff.
- Used assessment and attainment data to identify need, target interventions and evaluate impact.
- Demonstrated leadership through safeguarding, operational management and quality improvement responsibilities.
Personal statement
I believe that leadership is about creating the conditions for others to succeed. Whether supporting children, empowering families or developing colleagues, I strive to build positive relationships, inspire confidence and promote a culture of continuous improvement. My lived experience as the parent of a child with AuDHD has further strengthened my understanding of inclusion, advocacy and the importance of listening to and working alongside families. I am now seeking a senior leadership role where I can build on my experience of leading improvement, supporting teams and driving equity-focused practice to achieve the best possible outcomes for children, families and communities.
Timeline
Early Years Officer
West Lothian Council
08.2023 - Current
Equity and Excellence Lead
West Lothian Council
12.2021 - 08.2023
BA Childhood Practice - Childhood practice
University of Strathclyde
HND Childhood Practice - Childhood practice
west lothian college