About Me

Hello, and welcome to Circle Time. I’ve created this podcast to share the conversations of Early Years professionals from all over the UK and why we are so passionate about our sector, despite the challenges we face.

So, I’ve been doing this sort of work for nearly 27 years, this is my (very brief) biography.

In 1991 I went on school work experience week to Mr Men 90 Playgroup in Hereford. This was such a rewarding and challenging experience that filled me with enthusiasm for the Early Years, and still does to this day.

It was a challenge to break into the sector at first, it was still so unusual for men to work in Early Years and we were still regarded with much suspicion (regrettably this is still about today!) I completed my HNC in Childcare and Education in 1995 but it took me a year after graduating to secure my first role as a Nursery Nurse with NHS Western Isles. The early experience of being a male in Early Years has given me the drive to continually prove myself and keep my skills and knowledge fresh.

As the childcare sector is constantly changing and evolving, I have always valued Continuing Professional Development as I seek to update my skills, knowledge and qualifications. While living in Scotland I achieved my Level 4 SVQ. In 2019 I moved to England and have gone on to complete my PANCo Level 4 certificate as well as my Early Years Level 5 Diploma.

It was a tough year in 2020 through to 2021. Not only were we living through a global pandemic, but I made the crazy decision to complete the final year of a degree full time – whilst working full time. It was a bad decision at the time as trying to be a deputy nursery manager during a pandemic, while studying was not a good combination and I ended up stepping down from my role, mainly to protect my own mental health.

Returning to being a practitioner enabled me to complete my degree while having the breathing space of not having to run a nursery. It was a tough choice but the right one. I’m thankful that my manager was loving and supportive (Thanks Lyndsey!)

I’m proud at my achievements so far. I understand the more I develop and learn, the better able to support and encourage the children in my care through their own journey of learning and development. My passion for Early Years was acknowledged during the first Coronavirus lockdown when I was nominated for a Star Teacher Award. This nomination came from my nursery families and meant such a lot to me.

A question that has been asked of me is my I chose to call this podcast circle time?

The simple answer is because I actually don’t like circle time within a setting, I feel it’s detrimental to the freedom of the children to play and explore. That said, the basic concept is about conversation and the sharing of ideas, therefore I welcome you to circle time – the early years podcast.

Some of may also recognise my name/face. Many years ago I started a blog called “The Male Practitioner” and ran it for many years before I finally ran out of steam to keep posting and closed it down.

I really enjoyed doing this, and met some amazing people in the Early Years who do amazing things. During the first Coronavirus lockdown I was lucky enough to speak to some brilliant names in Early Years about their own personal pedagogy, you can watch those videos HERE.