About Me
I believe that education should always centre on children.
I am deeply passionate about how children grow, learn, and thrive through play and meaningful experiences in the early years and beyond. My work is rooted in the belief that every child deserves high-quality care and education—experiences that ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and build strong foundations for life.
I am committed to supporting and empowering the adults who guide children’s learning. Whether through training, mentoring, or consultancy, I help educators reflect on and refine their practice so they can create rich, engaging, and purposeful learning environments. My work spans early years and primary education, supporting those working with children aged 2–11.
My journey in education began in 1988 as a teacher before transitioning into advisory roles, where I supported early years and primary leadership teams. From 2007 to 2009, as Director of Programmes for Early Years, The Organisation for Young Children, I focused specifically on the design and delivery of the Sure Start Developmental Programme for 2-3-year-olds in Northern Ireland, as well as the Eager & Able to Learn programme. During this time, I developed and delivered a range of high-quality early years training programmes. By 2009, I made the decision to go freelance, allowing me to dedicate my time entirely to raising outcomes for children through professional development, mentoring, and advocacy for play-based learning.
Nothing inspires me more than seeing children flourish—watching their confidence grow, their thinking deepen, and their joy in learning come to life. But I also thrive on seeing educators experience their own ‘light bulb’ moments—those transformative shifts in understanding that lead to real impact in the classroom and beyond.
My approach has been shaped by many influences, including the work of Professor Ferre Laevers and the Leuven Scales, Reggio Children, The Boulder Journey School, and Lilian Katz. However, some of my most profound learning has come from being in schools across the world—particularly in Northern Ireland—where I’ve had the privilege of working alongside dedicated educators who share my belief in the power of play, relationships, and high-quality practice.
