I am an Early Years Specialist and Consultant with over 15 years’ experience, including as a Nursery Manager, teacher and EYFS Lead in an Outstanding primary school. I am passionate about helping practitioners see the mathematical learning in children’s everyday experiences, through play-based practice and purposeful adult interaction. I am an Associate with the NDNA, a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, and was a facilitator for the Jigsaw Project, a White Rose Education trial with the EEF and NFER supporting Reception staff with early maths. I host Rethinking Early Years, a podcast exploring evidence-informed practice, and speak at sector events including the Childcare & Education Expo. I look forward to helping you enhance your practice and provision.

Debbie Brace works in Early Years as an early language and behaviour consultant bringing child development theory to life in practice. Historically a qualified teacher with a BA in Drama, she works directly with babies and their families as well as the early years education workforce. Graduating with distinction with an MA in ‘infant mental health’ from the world famous Tavistock and Portman she is also an accredited Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) practitioner. Debbie’s attachment and psychoanalytic informed approach inspire parents/carers and early years professionals to have meaningful interactions and strengthen bonds between babies, young children and their caregivers giving them the best chance of developing positive foundational relationships alongside early language skills.

Sarah Tillotson has over fifteen years’ experience in education, specialising in early years research, policy and practice. As Early Years Learning Lead for Early Language at the London South Stronger Practice Hub, she helps leaders and educators develop conversation-rich practice through high-quality professional development and in-setting support. She is also Early Years Lead at the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), setting the strategic direction for its early years work and leading a team focused on evidence generation and mobilisation. Sarah has played a key role in national initiatives including the Stronger Practice Hubs programme and the scale-up of the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI), and leads evidence-based guidance such as the Early Years Evidence Store.

Nicola McGarrell leads the London South Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, based at our lead setting, Charles Dickens Primary School and Nursery. She has over twenty years' experience in early years education, including ten years as an EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Manager at a Lambeth primary school. She has also worked closely with the local authority moderating the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, and supported schools well beyond London in her role as a Specialist Leader of Education. Through her leadership of the Hub, funded by the Department for Education, Nicola provides tailored support to early years settings, promotes evidence-informed practice, and builds strong partnerships with local authorities.

Daniela Jamois works as an early years educator, advisor and trainer, and has spent over twenty years in the sector. She brings a genuine love of the outdoors and nature into her role, and finds working with the youngest children especially rewarding, since it means being part of the biggest leap in development a child will ever make. She's proud to carry forward the rich tradition of early years education, helping children build curious, independent minds from the very start.