A Bit About Me — Donna

I’ve been working in Early Years since 2005, starting out as a class teacher in a small rural school and eventually working across a wide range of settings — from school-based nurseries to large, urban environments. I’m currently an assistant head in a nursery school, combining leadership responsibilities with hands-on, practice-based work, which keeps me grounded in what matters most: the children.
My approach is child-centred, inclusive and rooted in the belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive — without being rushed into formality before they’re ready. I lead by example and aim to foster a calm, reflective culture where high expectations and warm relationships go hand in hand.

One of my passions is outdoor learning and nature pedagogy. I’m a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader and have developed and led outdoor provision across all my settings — not just in EYFS but across the primary phase too.

Over the years, I’ve supported settings through challenging periods, including helping one school move from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’. More recently, I’ve focused on consultancy work — particularly around post-Ofsted triage and mock inspections — supporting teams to strengthen their curriculum intent, implementation and impact with a clear, shared vision.

Since becoming a mother myself, I’ve seen the other side of early years education — and it’s only deepened my commitment to getting it right for children and families. If you’re looking for honest, grounded support to reflect, reset or refresh your EYFS practice, I’d love to help.