Speakers

Jackie joined the Open University in 2017. Jackie trained as a General Nurse and then completed post-registration training at Birmingham Children's Hospital to become a Sick Children's Nurse. She left nursing to teach child health to NNEB students at a college of Further Education. Following the introduction of foundation degrees, she became course leader for the Early Years Foundation Degree at Solihull College in the West Midlands. Jackie learned from the highly experienced and knowledgeable practitioners who were studying for the foundation degree the vital role they play in supporting the health of very young children. Jackie studied for her Masters and doctorate at the University of Sheffield. Her research brings together her professional and personal interests in children's health and early education. The foundation students became the inspiration for her research and publications. Jackie's current research explores health promotion for young children in early childhood education and care settings. Jackie (with Professor Jane Payler) is the author of Early Childhood Health Promotion: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Education and Care Practitioners: A resource to support your practice in improving the health of children in pre-school settings. The toolkit is available at no cost to practitioners working with pre-school children.