I left my previous full-time position in 2013 to undertake fertility treatment in order to have a family. My husband eventually welcomed two children. Key career achievements:Between Feb 2023 and July 2024 I lead aspects of the work of the East London Stronger Practice Hub at Sheringham Nursery School and Children's Centre. Prior to that I worked with Newham Nursery Schools and the East London Research School on a range of programmes of work supporting early childhood workforce development and pedagogical practice.Since October 2018 I have been an Associate of the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), commissioned to research and write timely policy briefings in early childhood education and care for elected members and officers in local authorities. In successfully balancing the needs of my young family and ongoing work, I have remained engaged in policy developments and debate as well as in contact with those making, influencing, and delivering early childhood education and care and family policy. Between September 2013 and March 2015 I was engaged in• setting up of a parent/school engagement programme in Ipswich for the evidence-based parenting programme Parent Gym;• undertaking organisational strategic and funding development mentoring and policy and campaigns training for the Institute for Food, Brain and Behaviour;• completing an evidence review of public policy in relation to food poverty and hunger for the UK’s national network of charitable food redistributors FareShare.I am a member of the New Visions for Education, and have lead the early years education contributions over their last decade, the most recent in the run up to the 2024 General Election. https://newvisionsforeducation.org.uk/a-vision-of-early-education-and-care-beyond-the-next-general-election