Lindsey Bielby
Sheffield
Summary
Experienced Early Years Teacher (Level 7) and Director/founder of two outdoor nurseries with over 13 years’ experience leading high-quality early years provision and driving continuous improvement. Passionate about supporting leaders and practitioners to improve outcomes for children through coaching, mentoring and collaborative leadership. Extensive experience embedding the Early Years Foundation Stage, strengthening safeguarding, developing inclusive provision for children with SEND and those facing disadvantage, and leading sustainable organisational improvement. Recognised for building positive relationships, nurturing and building confidence in teams and creating environments where children, families and professionals thrive.
Overview
7
7
years of post-secondary education
19
19
years of professional experience
Work history
Director and Cofounder
Growing Wild
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
2019.09 - Current
- Lead the strategic development and operation of two successful outdoor nursery settings.
- Coach and mentor managers, deputy managers and practitioners through supervision, reflective practice and professional development.
- Lead quality improvement initiatives that strengthen teaching, learning, safeguarding and leadership.
- Develop and embed an innovative, child-centred curriculum fully aligned with the EYFS.
- Work closely with families and multi-agency professionals to support children with SEND and additional needs.
- Lead organisational change, workforce planning, recruitment and business growth.
- Build partnerships with local authorities, schools, health professionals and community organisations.
- Maintain a culture of continuous improvement through self-evaluation, action planning and quality assurance.
- Oversaw daily business operations to ensure efficiency and compliance with financial regulations.
- Facilitated professional development through targeted coaching and mentoring for leaders and practitioners..
- Assisted team members in reflective practice to promote continuous learning and professional growth..
- Directed efforts to enhance curriculum design and ensure successful implementation of EYFS standards..
- Facilitated support for inclusive education strategies aimed at benefiting disadvantaged children and those with SEND..
- Using quality assurance, data and self-evaluation to identify priorities for improvement.
- Developing safeguarding systems and promoting best practice.
- Facilitated workshops to disseminate effective practices and improve training across the early years community..
Selfemployed outdoor educator
Growing Wild
, South Yorkshire
2007.06 - 2019.09
- Delivered forest school sessions to enhance children's learning experiences.
- Work directly with schools to improve outcomes for children
- Procure, develop and deliver educational programmes of work
- Ensured health and safety compliance across all programmes, prioritising student well-being.
- Worked with a variety of groups with behaviour needs, SEND and mental health needs
- Influenced positive behaviour amongst students by setting clear expectations and consistent boundaries.
- Fostered enthusiasm for learning by presenting subjects in engaging ways that captured students' interest.
Early years practitioner
Sheffield Woodland Kindergarten
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
2016.09 - 2019.07
- Planned, led, and evaluated activities to ensure alignment with EYFS, promoting holistic development.
- Collaborated with SENDCo to implement tailored strategies for children with special educational needs, ensuring inclusive learning.
- Developed children's language skills by organising regular storytelling sessions.
- Implemented creative play activities for enhancing children's imaginative abilities.
- Observed and recorded child behaviour to identify developmental issues.
- Key person for 8 children at a time
- Followed health and safety guidelines meticulously, maintaining a safe environment for children.
Education
Early year teacher status -
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield 2025.09 - 2026.06
NPQ for Early Years Leadershiop -
Ambition Institue
Bradford 2023.09 - 2025.04
NCFE level 3 - SEND Coordinator
NCFE
Barnsley 2020.09 - 2021.10
Level 3 Diploma Early learning and childcare -
Sheaf Training
Sheffield 2012.03 - 2013.02
Bachelor of Science - Zoology
Swansea University
Swansea 1994.09 - 1997.06
Skills
- Strategic Planning & Vision Setting
- Curriculum development
- EYFS curriculum delivery
- SEND inclusion strategies
- Early Maths
- Health and Safety Risk Assessment
- Staff coaching and mentoring
- Parent partnerships
- Paediatric first Aid (October 25)
Timeline
Early year teacher status -
Sheffield Hallam University
2025.09 - 2026.06
NPQ for Early Years Leadershiop -
Ambition Institue
2023.09 - 2025.04
NCFE level 3 - SEND Coordinator
NCFE
2020.09 - 2021.10
Director and Cofounder
Growing Wild
2019.09 - Current
Early years practitioner
Sheffield Woodland Kindergarten
2016.09 - 2019.07
Level 3 Diploma Early learning and childcare -
Sheaf Training
2012.03 - 2013.02
Selfemployed outdoor educator
Growing Wild
2007.06 - 2019.09
Bachelor of Science - Zoology
Swansea University
1994.09 - 1997.06