Our Directors
Louise Licznerski's journey from a successful career in retail management to a passionate advocate for outdoor learning is truly inspiring. Her transition into education and her experiences teaching in primary and early years settings provided her with valuable insights into the benefits of outdoor learning, particularly for children with additional needs. This realisation ignited her passion for bringing outdoor learning to a wider audience. The creation of Little Bugs, an outdoor nursery, exemplifies Louise's dedication to this cause. Since its inception in 2021, Little Bugs has rapidly expanded, diversifying its services to include after-school care and opening a second nursery location which not only offers early years care but has branched out to offer Flexi school sessions as well. Through Little Bugs, Louise and her team are making a significant impact on the educational landscape, promoting the benefits of outdoor learning and encouraging new practitioners to incorporate nature-based activities into their teaching through training events and initiatives like Practitioner Fest. The success of Little Bugs is a testament to Louise's vision and leadership, as well as her commitment to providing children with enriching educational experiences in the great outdoors. As they continue to grow and innovate, Louise and her team are poised to further influence the educational sector and inspire others to embrace the transformative power of outdoor learning.
Roz Mullin, the esteemed Educational Director of the Scottish Outdoor Learning Association (SOLA), brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. With a background in outdoor nurseries, including notable work at Secret Garden, Mullin has championed the importance of nature-based education and the benefits of learning outdoors. Transitioning to support local authorities in expanding outdoor learning initiatives, Mullin has been instrumental in driving forward the integration of outdoor education into mainstream curricula. Currently serving as the Manager at the industry-leading Little Bugs Fordell Firs, Mullin continues to inspire educators and children alike with her unwavering dedication to nature nurture and learning for sustainability. Her inclusive approach extends to supporting children with neurodiversity, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive in the outdoor environment. Through her leadership and advocacy, Mullin remains at the forefront of advancing outdoor education in Scotland, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of countless children and educators.
Kirsten Paterson, the dedicated Care Director of the Scottish Outdoor Learning Association (SOLA), brings a unique blend of childcare expertise and outdoor enthusiasm to her role. With over 15 years of experience in childcare, Paterson made a bold transition to the outdoor sector over two years ago, driven by a passion for nature-based learning. In her previous role as a Young Room Senior at a UK chain nursery, Paterson demonstrated her commitment to promoting gender equality through the development of inclusive play policies and care plans. Her innovative approach and dedication to fostering a supportive environment propelled her swiftly up the ranks, transitioning from an outdoor practitioner to a team leader, and eventually, to the esteemed position of Nursery Manager at Little Bugs Abercorn, nestled within the prestigious Hopetoun Estate. Despite being relatively new to the outdoor sector, Paterson's impact has been nothing short of transformative. She continues to challenge conventional norms and pioneer new approaches, striking a balance between education and care within the outdoor early childcare sector. Paterson's journey serves as a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and unwavering dedication to empowering children through the wonders of outdoor learning.
Mairi leads the Thrive Outdoors programme at Inspiring Scotland and has long been a passionate advocate for children, play and the natural environment. With almost 20years experience, Mairi brings a wealth of knowledge in early years, childcare, children’s rights, workforce development and quality improvement. Mairi is a qualified ELC practitioner, has an MA in Social Policy, holds a professional award in Leadership & Management and trained as an Improvement Advisor with the Institute of Healthcare Improvement in 2015. In 2023 Mairi gained an MSc Education (Early Childhood Practice & Froebel). Mairi also acts as Strategic Lead for Inspiring Scotland’s Outdoor Nursery subsidiary, Willow Den Scotland.
Zoe spent 20 years as a PE teacher in secondary schools in both England and Scotland, so one way or another she has managed to have some form of play at the centre of her working life. In addition to the mainstream curriculum, Zoe had a passion for outdoor activities, and sought to implement outdoor adventure elements into the curriculum in the city schools she taught in, bringing team building challenges with loose parts and programmes of orienteering into urban playgrounds, and taking groups of city children on adventures outside of the school gates - hill walking, horse riding, camping, watersports, climbing and just freedom to ‘be’ in the outdoors. Moving into pastoral leadership, Zoe enjoyed a few years as a middle leader before a Guidance role meant moving away from teaching PE. Having to wear ‘proper clothes’ to work and not be outside for most of the day made Zoe realise just how much she appreciated and needed the outdoors as part of her daily life. Having a then-2-year-old who she wanted to send to the local outdoor nursery made it a no-brainer when the opportunity to take up the position of manager arose. A part-time setting based out of the local village hall grew under Zoe’s management to a full-time Forest School nursery in the woodland, offering up to 40 places for 2-5 year-olds, and eventually provision for school-age children as well as wrap-around care. A second setting was opened (albeit briefly) at the start of 2020, before the original setting became a base for a childcare hub for children of key workers during COVID, opening to brand new children for longer hours and with more staff (and volunteers) than ever. During this time Zoe was also one of a team of nursery managers who were working to bring guidance on operating an outdoor setting to others, working with Thrive Outdoors on the beginning of their ’Top Tips’ series, as well as consulting on Scottish Government Guidance. After 5 years as Nursery Manager, Zoe left to begin her own freelance Forest School business, and was invited to co-manage a specialist Early Years provision for children with significant additional support needs for a fixed term. She remains on their board, as well as that of another early years setting and Third Sector Interface Moray, to whom she is very grateful for the opportunity to learn about Board operations and the incredible work of the wider third sector. Zoe now runs Jackdaw Forest School, delivering training and facilitating outdoor play and learning for all ages and also works with Play Scotland and OPAL as a Play Mentor. She is passionate about play and learning, and volunteered at the IPA conference in Glasgow in 2023. She is in the final stages of co-authoring a book on ‘risky play’, in the early years. Unsurprisingly, Zoe can frequently be found out in woodlands and playgrounds, occasionally roaming the Cairngorms as a volunteer reindeer herder and often by the sea as a Shorewatch volunteer, as whales and dolphins are another passion! She works closely with Outdoor Woodland Learning Scotland as secretary of the Moray OWL Group and is beyond excited to be joining SOLA as Play Director.
Dawn taught in early years, ASN and primary for over 15 years before leaving to open Mucky Boots, an outdoor kindergarten which has its values rooted in the science of child development, relationships and play. Mucky Boots operate completely off grid, in a community woodland. As well as the kindergarten for children aged 3-7, there’s a Forest Friday group for primary aged children and events for families. Dawn commits much of her time to mentoring, advocacy and training work and is also an associate trainer for Outdoors Thinking and Vice-chair of Upstart Scotland. Dawn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of early childhood development to her role and is excited to be part of SOLA. You can find out more about Dawn’s work via www.muckyboots.org and www.dawnewan.com