Leadership in Early Childhood

Jill Harrison is the academic portfolio lead for Early Years and link tutor for SEGI Colleges Malaysia. After gaining her NNEB qualification worked in Early Years for many years as an early years practitioner, working her way through the ranks to become a coordinator of a work based nursery, and then a Manager of a children's centre, which was part of a research project to introduce High/Scope to the sector. More recently she has been a college lecturer before moving to the University of Greenwich. She now has a research focus on leadership and mentoring in the early years and is near completion of her research on 'Maids or Masters: A study reviewing the concepts of leadership in early years provision in Malaysia and England. She has a passion for improving experiences for young children and giving them the love of learning, and believes that a well-trained, open minded, reflective staff who are inspired can do this.

Heather Munn began her working life with children after completing an NNEB, she has worked in a variety of private and voluntary settings, becoming the manager of a large workplace nursery in her late 20's. She worked as an early year's consultant and has a wealth of experience in supporting practitioners from nursery to year one. Heather came to higher education later in life completing a Higher Diploma in Child Development from the Open University. And then her Master's in Education, she holds a post graduate Diploma in Consultancy for Educational Improvement from the Institute of education, and a PCGE in Teaching for Higher Education Her research interest are children under the age of two in group settings, transformational learning in adults, using outings and particularly museums to extend young children's learning. Outside of work Heather is, active in her local community acting as a trustee for a local children's and family centre, enjoys visiting local parks and open space. She is a believer in the power of theatre and cultural organizations to enhance our world and open possibilities for growth and joy in all of us.

Rebecca Thistle has always been interested in the early years sector training and qualifying as an early year's practitioner in 2008. Since then, she has had a variety of experiences and roles in the early years sector both in the Midlands and internationally. Rebecca became particularly interested in SEN after spending significant time looking after children with various needs, most notably children on the autistic spectrum. In 2015, Rebecca joined the Early Years team at the University of Greenwich as a Senior Lecturer in Early Years where she leads modules around special educational needs. Alongside this, Rebecca is completing a PhD which explores early years practice from the perspectives of children, practitioners and parents in England and Ghana. Rebecca's interest in early years leadership focuses on empowering her students to be reflective advocates for young children, exploring ways they can lead inspiring and innovative early years practice.

Diana Harris describes her professional career as a "meandering pathway through education", working as a teacher, lecturer, mentor, facilitator, professional leader across nursery classes and infant schools, primary and secondary settings, FE and HE. Individualism, freedom of choice, empowerment and pedagogical practice are her central principles and interests alongside her passion for children's literature. Professional and personal values are interwoven.

Louise Atkins studied a Ba (Hons) Childhood Studies Degree and Early Years Professional Status at the University of Greenwich. She has a MA Education (Early Years) and is studying toward and Doctorate in Education. Her research topic is looking at the impact Early Years Teachers have on children's learning and development and pedagogy. Her general areas of interests in research are the impact that graduate early years practitioners and teachers have in settings, quality in practice and children's and young people's wellbeing. Louise has previously worked and led in early years settings for 10 years within the private, voluntary and independent sector and has mentored and assessed in early years in other institutions. She is an ex Early Years Ofsted Inspector and also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. At the University of Greenwich, Louise leads Initial Teacher Education within the School of Education, lectures on the BA Hons Early Years degree and coordinate the Early Years Teacher Status programme. Her first passion is within Early Years and she highly committed to raising the profile of Early Years within the sector and is am dedicated to ensuring that all children get best start in life.

Lauren Whale is a Teaching fellow (Early Years) at the University of Greenwich and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Lauren has been working in the early years sector since 1995 within private, maintained, voluntary and independent settings. Lauren's background is in early years leadership and management, particularly supporting vulnerable children and their families. Lauren teaches on the Batchelor of Arts Early Years and the Early Years Teacher Status, Initial Teacher Education. Lauren is also an accredited mentor for Early Years Teacher Status Programme. Lauren has a MA Education (Early years) and is studying towards a Doctorate in Education. Lauren is particularly passionate about the benefits of developing reflective practice in Early Years students and trainees and believes this strategy is a step towards bridging the gap between theory and practice. Lauren's current areas of interest are developing leadership skills and upskilling the workforce through collaborative reflective practice, supporting students to achieve high quality practice through a triangulation of communication.