Masterclass: Does your curriculum tie in with your setting ethos?

Pennie Akehurst is an author and leadership specialist with over 30 years’ experience in the early years sector, 17 of which were spent delivering strategic early years priorities in local authorities. During this time, she developed and implemented support programmes that enabled leadership teams to improve educational provision for children from birth to five and to manage changes to legislation.

Pennie now leads Early Years Fundamentals Ltd, a research, training and consultancy company focused on identifying and managing issues that affect outcomes for children, as well as inspection outcomes.

She has written three books including the bestseller ‘101 Audit questions to evaluate your practice and prepare for inspection’ through Practical Preschool Books and has contributed many articles to Nursery World Magazine.

Adam Marycz is an ‘Outstanding’ early years teacher (EYTS), setting manager and early years adviser. He has been working in early years for over 13 years (eight of which have been as a manager.)

Adam has also worked as a freelance writer for a wide range of early years organisations including Tapestry, Famly, and Teach Early Years. His most prominent work in this field however is with Early Years Educator Magazine as a member of their editorial board, a writer and notably as editor and co-creator of the supplement Practice Insight – Provocations for learning from across the sector.

Adam holds EYTS, BA (Hons) and is currently completing an MA in Early Childhood.

Gemma Thomas-Bohr is an award-winning child development expert with over 13 years of experience in the sector. Gemma has helped support over 8,000 families feel confident during their early years journey.

Gemma’s journey started as a nursery practitioner in 2009 at an ‘Outstanding’ Nursery and she won Nursery Newcomer of the Year at the Nursery World Awards in 2009.

At only 21 Gemma started her own business in child development, focusing on the importance of using children’s senses. Gemma created Pure Imaginations in 2021 as a unique parent friendly imaginative experience providing classes for babies and children under the age of five, which won its first award after only being open four months at Essex Mums awards 2021.

Gemma has spoken on local radio, featured on national TV in Sam and Billie Faiers: The Mummy Diaries and has written several articles in the Early Years Educator Magazine. Gemma is leading the way in helping parents and educators on how to get the best for our children in those precious early years.

When Gemma is not inspiring parents or creating imaginative worlds for children, she is either outside amongst nature with her husband and Cavador dog – Bumble, or enjoying quality time with friends and family.

Aaron Bradbury is an early childhood academic, paying close attention to all aspects of early years and child centred practice, workforce development, child development and early help. His current role is principal lecturer for Childhood and Early Years at Nottingham Trent University in the Institute of Social Sciences. Aaron also leads a national website and training organisation called Early Years Reviews.

I have worked in early years for over 10 years, starting my career in a KS1 Department as a Teaching Assistant. I then moved to join Busy Bees in 2015 as a QEYE and progressed to Assistant Manager whilst completing my Degree in Childhood Education.

In 2018 I joined the Busy Bees Academic and Research Team where I supported the development of Unleashing Potential (UP); Busy Bees’ unique learning and development programme, delivered through a digital application. The programme is available for all Busy Bees educators and parents and is used in the UK, Australia and Jersey with over 40,000 users worldwide. As part of this role, I have been fortunate enough to research practice globally, travelling to work with colleagues in Singapore and Malaysia.

In 2022 I joined the Busy Bees Quality Team; I support a group of nurseries in the North West of England with the delivery of the curriculum and thrive from seeing the progress our centres, team and most importantly the children make each day.

I am a strong believer in play-based learning and committed to highlighting the importance of early years education.