The ABC of Nursery Management is back!
We’re thrilled to announce that The ABC of Nursery Management guide has officially returned for its third year, and it’s had quite the glow-up. ✨
Packed with insights from some brilliant contributors across 26 expert-led topics, this free guide is tailored just for nursery managers and leaders like you. Whether you’re heading up a single site, a nursery group or stepping into your very first leadership role, this one’s for you.
✅ 26 expert-led topics covering everything from leadership and wellbeing to Ofsted, inclusion, communication, and more.
🧠 Insights from 28 sector voices, including Rachel Buckler, Ben Kingston-Hughes, June O’Sullivan, Ofsted and Tamsin Grimmer.
💡 Real-life tips, reflections and advice designed specifically for nursery leaders and managers to support you day-to-day.
Meet the fantastic authors
Structured in an easy-to-follow alphabetical format, the guide brings together insights from 28 expert voices. Each letter of the alphabet covers a key topic in early years education, providing valuable advice, activities, and resources for childcare professionals.
Charlotte NG
Charlotte has over 20 years’ experience in early years, working across the UK and Europe. A qualified Forest School leader and outdoor specialist, she founded Earthlings Outdoor Learning Services, offering Forest School sessions, training, and consultancy. Charlotte is passionate about child-centred, holistic learning in nature for all ages and settings.
Clare Stead
Clare Stead is the creator of the Oliiki app, an education researcher, and a teacher. She helps parents and practitioners build babies’ brains in the first 1,000 days through evidence-based play. Her mission is to build confidence and excellence in early years practice, right from the very start.
Alexandra Chiorando
Alexandra Chiorando is the founder of Marmalade Early Years Consultancy. A qualified teacher, former Ofsted inspector and SENCO, she works with schools and early years settings across the UK and internationally. Alexandra delivers training on behaviour, sensory regulation, play and child-led learning, with connection and calm at the core.
Dr June O’Sullivan
Dr June O’Sullivan OBE is CEO of London Early Years Foundation and founder of the London Institute of Early Years. A social entrepreneur and thought leader in education, she champions children’s rights, social justice, and sustainability, advising globally and shaping policy through research, writing, and public engagement.
Divya Kaur Sahni
Divya Kaur Sahni is a children’s mental health professional specialising in emotional wellbeing and positive behaviour. With experience across Dubai, India, Wales, and England, she offers tailored, child-centred support to help children flourish socially, emotionally, and academically in a range of environments.
Emily Krause
Through her platform Early Observer, founder Emily shares practical, evidence-informed support with a dedicated focus on children’s wellbeing. With over 20 years’ experience, she’s a Consultant, Senior Mental Health Lead, Forest School Leader, and former Early Years practitioner rated Outstanding by OFSTED. She aims to help educators and families create nurturing, wellbeing-focused environments.
David Wright
David Wright is an Early Years Ambassador for Paint Pots Nurseries. He is an author, advisor, international presenter, consultant, trainer, board member and charity trustee. A former nursery group owner, he received the 2022 Nursery World Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to the early years.
Tasha Bretten
Tasha Bretten has been working as a Boogie Mites teacher and trainer for 5 years, following 13 years as a Primary School Teacher, working across all year groups in both the UK and abroad. She is a classically trained singer and has a passion for supporting children’s literacy and musical development. She is a mum of 2 and a military wife.
Sukhy Kaur
Sukhy Kaur is an experienced author, primary school practitioner, and puppeteer with over 15 years of experience in education. She leads engaging, diversity-themed workshops for children in schools and early years settings, celebrating neurodiversity and cultural diversity with creativity and passion. Sukhy inspires learning through storytelling, play, and inclusive education practices.
Ben Kingston-Hughes
Ben Kingston-Hughes is an award-winning trainer, author, and international speaker with 35+ years’ experience working with vulnerable children. As Managing Director of Inspired Children, his acclaimed books and unique training, blending humour, neuroscience, and practical insight, have transformed how professionals support children’s development, earning industry recognition and awards.
Samantha Dholakia
Samantha Dholakia is the Founder of SPD Training and Consultancy and creator of The Behaviour Balance System™ and The Behaviour Bank™. She empowers schools, parents, and early years settings to drive inclusion, behaviour change, and emotional regulation through CPD-accredited training, expert consultancy, and her impactful online portal.
Rebecca Skinner & Becky Poulter Jewson
Becky, with over 25 years of experience, is the Director of Early Years at Thriving Language Community Interest Company. She specialises in play, communication, and schema play, developing language-rich environments nationwide. Rebecca, a qualified Speech and Language Therapist since 2001, also directs Speech and Language Therapy at Thriving Language and works for the NHS.
Dingley’s Promise
Dingley’s Promise is the largest specialist provider of nursery education to children under 5 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in England. They are also a leading training provider in early years inclusive practice, committed to creating a more inclusive early years sector which offers the best start in life for every child.
Tamsin Grimmer
Tamsin Grimmer is a director of Linden Learning, Principal Lecturer at Norland College, and Emotion Coaching Practitioner. She supports Early Years educators and is passionate about inclusive, loving pedagogy. Tamsin has contributed to Birth to Five Matters, edited Play Matters, and authored several books on early childhood education.
Dr Aaron Bradbury
Aaron Bradbury is Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood at Nottingham Trent University and Co-Chair of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network. He contributed to Birth to Five Matters and edited Play Matters. A published author and consultant, Aaron champions inclusion, child voice, and diversity in early years practice.
Jayne Coward
Jayne is Deputy Director for Early Years Regulatory Policy and Practice at Ofsted. Since joining in 2006, she has held various leadership roles and brings extensive experience as an inspector, practitioner, and adviser. Jayne has led major initiatives, including children’s centres and the Early Years Foundation Stage implementation.
Dawn Rigby
For over two decades, Dawn has worked in Early Years, advocating for play, especially through in-the-moment planning. She feels passionately that adults engage with children as play partners, supporting, extending, and respecting their play. Dawn believes we need to develop playful interactions to enable strong emotional connections.
Mandy Cuttler
Mandy has over 20 years’ experience in education, including outdoor and Montessori settings. She holds a master’s from UCL and is Head of Pedagogy, Learning and Development at LEYF. Mandy champions LEYF’s unique pedagogy and leads professional development across its nurseries and the wider Early Years sector.
Lucy Lewin
Lucy Lewin is a passionate entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience in early childhood education. Founder of Little Angels (Uppingham) and the Profitable Nursery Academy, she champions high-quality, child-centred care. Lucy is known for her innovative approach, inspiring educators and making a lasting impact in the early years community.
Rachel Buckler
Rachel Buckler, with 30 years in social care, trains early years workforces and consults for nurseries across the nation. A frequent contributor to Nursery World, she co-founded the Early Years Hub and created the Safeguarding Hub. Her book on child protection practices was published by Routledge in 2023.
Cheryl Warren
Cheryl is a neurodiversity affirming consultant and trainer with a passion and specialism for neuroinclusion in early years, supporting early years settings and schools to provide safe spaces where neurodivergent children can thrive. Cheryl regularly speaks at events and conferences nationwide, and her debut book, Neurodiversity in Early Years, is out now.
Jamel Carly Campbell
Jamel C Campbell is an Early Years educator, consultant, storyteller, and bestselling author with over 20 years’ experience. A Men in the Early Years ambassador, he’s featured on CBeebies’ Tiny Happy People and works with major organisations to champion inclusive practice, storytelling, and children’s development from birth to 19.
Alison Featherbe
Alison Featherbe is a leading authority in the EYFS, a thought leader, and a speaker. She provides consultancy, training, and virtual support through emails, content, and her VIP Circle membership. An expert in the sector, leadership, competency, AI, and safeguarding. Alison empowers teams to embed meaningful change and drive continual development in early years provision.
Charlotte Ghose
Charlotte Ghose is the Director of Mini Minds Matter, a UK-based dinosaur-themed mindfulness resource for early years education. She is a qualified teacher with a background from the University of Edinburgh. She creates inclusive digital content, manages online platforms, and champions environmental regeneration, especially in forestry, blending innovation with a passion for sustainable learning.
Chris Reid
Chris Reid, CEO and Founder of Connect Childcare, envisioned using technology to simplify nursery administration and enhance parent engagement in 2004. Now, Connect Childcare supports over 3400 nurseries with integrated management, observation, and communication software, improving efficiency and enabling staff to focus on children’s development.
Jamie Victoria Barnes
Jamie, aka The Childcare Guru, is the founder of Everything Early Years. With experience as a nursery manager, Forest School leader, deputy head, and Ofsted inspector, she now supports UK settings through consultancy and training. Jamie is dedicated to empowering Early Years professionals with clarity, confidence, and practical tools.
Zebedees
Zebedees is the UK’s leading nursery catering specialist, delivering freshly prepared, nutrient-rich meals to nurseries across the Southeast. For over 25 years, we’ve created balanced menus using local, seasonal ingredients. We work closely with baby and child nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed to ensure healthy, inclusive mealtimes for every child.
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