Clair Stevens

As an experienced and passionate Early Years Professional with expertise and practice both in PVI and home settings, the role advertised would offer a new opportunity to lead quality Early Years practice. Having worked as a childminder while at home with six children, the turning point came when completing the Foundation Degree and BA top up in Early Years. This led to completion of the Early Years Professional Status and opened up an opportunity to work at the University. In addition to working as an academic, going on to lead the Early Years FD and BA top up for work based students. In 2008 a dream of opening a nursery school and outdoor kindergarten with Forest school was fulfilled. As registered person, director and lead practitioner, the role involved working with all staff teams to develop a shared ethos and working principles. Situated in Margate Central one of the most deprived wards of Kent. It has been rated outstanding in every Ofsted inspection and in 2014 won Nursery Worlds Nursery of the Year. In 2016 I took six months sabbatical to lead practice in a Kindergarten in Guangzhou China. I have returned to China five times, enabling opportunities to learn and reflect on alternative cultures and early childhood curriculum models. I enjoy research and have published articles, chapters and a child development book -The Growing Child.