About meÂ
I'm an early years and play consultant, conference speaker and course facilitator. I work with educators and leaders across the UK and internationally to help them make sustainable improvements to the care and education they provide.
I'm especially passionate about the impact that positive relationships, quality interactions and play has on a child's learning and life chances.
I run The Place to Learn, an online professional learning platform and IÂ co-lead Press Play, exploring how play can flow through the primary years.
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My path
I started my career over 35 years ago as pre-school assistant in Norfolk, and then a nanny in London, learning what respectful care looks like day to day. That early grounding shaped everything that followed. I went on to teach and lead in primary schools, specialising in Early Years and Key Stage 1, before stepping into a wider role as leader of the Local Authority Early Years team in Lewisham, London
Working alongside schools and settings across the borough gave me a close-up view of what truly makes the difference for children. Together, we saw Lewisham transform from being one of the lowest-performing local authorities in Early Years outcomes to consistently among the highest, despite high levels of disadvantage.
For the past decade, I’ve taken what I’ve learned into independent work with education and care providers across the UK and beyond. Engaging with different curricula, languages, and cultures has enhanced my thinking and perspective. Yet, wherever I go, the foundations remain the same: clarity of purpose, consistency of knowledge, and confidence in practice, underpinned by compassion and respect for each child.
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What I do today
Alongside public speaking and training, most of my work is spent in schools and nurseries, working directly with practitioners and alongside leaders. I observe and model play-based practice, listen carefully, and agree priorities with you. I offer clear, practical steps teams can use straight away, with follow-up support to ensure good intentions become lasting change. My approach isn’t about quick fixes or promoting a single method, it’s about helping you create lasting improvements.Â
Alongside my in-person work, The Place to Learn offers on-demand training your team can revisit any time. Press Play brings together ideas and tools for keeping play alive beyond the early years.
Affiliations and recognition
I’ve provided training, conferences or advice for many organisations such as the Department for Education, The National College, National Association for Head Teachers, Early Excellence, Upstart and Mudiad Meithrin. I’m an associate consultant for Early Education and an affiliate of the Federation of British International schools in Asia (FOBISIA) I was shortlisted for Nursery World’s Trainer of the Year in 2022.
Work with me
If you’d like support with consultancy, training or a conference input, or you want to explore The Place to Learn for your team, please get in touch. I’ll listen first and suggest a simple plan that fits your context.
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