I have been working in Early Years and Childhood since I left formal Education. I qualified as Nursery Nurse completing my BTEC National Diploma in Early Years and Education. I completed Higher Education and completed a teaching qualification and PGCE. Since graduating I have been heavily involved in the Early Years and I have worked in Early Years for the majority of my career. I have also taught in FE teaching Early Years and Care. I have been fortunate to work and lead a large team in Sure Start and Short Breaks for Children with Disabilities. I have also been a Children's Commissioner for Public Health and Social Care. My current role at Nottingham Trent Institute of Education is Principal Lecturer for Early Years and Childhood.

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I am the Principal Lecturer for Early Years and Childhood (Learning and Development, Psychology, Special Educational Needs, and Inclusion) and Early Childhood Studies at Nottingham Trent University. I am a Member of the Coalition for the Early Years on the Birth to Five Matters Non-Statutory Guidance for the EYFS and chaired and written the Equalities and Inclusion section with colleagues in the sector. I am currently researching on Early Childhood workforce development and has a project called “Reconceptualising the third teacher: A study of trainee experiences of work-based learning on level 3 early years programmes.

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I am a published author on early childhood theories and child development. I am leading a joint research project with academic colleagues from NTU and UPSI in Malaysia focusing on Early Years Policy. I sit on many national early childhood groups and I am also a consultant on many aspects of early years and child development. I have spoken as a keynote speaker both nationally and internationally on contemporary issues within the early childhood sector. I have a passion for making the voice of the child, nurturing through a diverse lens and pioneers of early childhood the foreground of practice.