Role
Aaron Bradbury is Principal Lecturer for Early Childhood Studies, Childhood, Early Years Apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications in Early Years.
Career overview
I have been working in Early Years and Childhood since I left formal Education. I qualified as Nursery Nurse completing my BTEC National Diploma in Early Years and Education. I completed Higher Education and completed a teaching qualification and PGCE. Since graduating I have been heavily involved in the Early Years and I have worked in Early Years for the majority of my career. I have also taught in FE teaching Early Years and Care. I have been fortunate to work and lead a large team in Sure Start and Short Breaks for Children with Disabilities. I have also been a Children's Commissioner for Public Health and Social Care. My current role at Nottingham Trent Institute of Education is Principal Lecturer for Early Years and Childhood.
I am the Principal Lecturer for Early Childhood Studies, Childhood, Early Years Apprenticeships, Higher Technical Qualifications in Early Years and Early Years Initial Teacher Education. I am a Member of the Coalition for the Early Years on the Birth to Five Matters Non-Statutory Guidance for the EYFS and chaired and written the Equalities and Inclusion section with colleagues in the sector. I am currently researching on Early Childhood workforce development.
I am a published author on texts around theory, early years curriculum and child development. I am leading a joint research project with academic colleagues from NTU and UPSI in Malaysia focusing on Early Years Policy. I sit on many national early childhood groups and I am also a consultant on many aspects of early years and child development. I have spoken as a keynote speaker both nationally and internationally on contemporary issues within the early childhood sector. I have a passion for making the voice of the child, nurturing through a diverse lens and pioneers of early childhood the foreground of practice.
Research areas
Doctor of Education - Reconceptualising the Third Teacher: A study of trainee experiences of work based learning on Level 3 Early Years Programmes.
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) (England) and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) Early Childhood Development Centre (Malaysia). Joint Research Project. Play and Pedagogy - A Global Perspective: Play and Early Childhood Pedagogy; A comparative study investigating Play and Early Childhood Pedagogy between England and Malaysia.
External activity
- Co Chair of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network
- Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Skills - Trailblazer
- Early Years Reviews - Website and Blog
- Pearson HND Module Writer - BTEC Higher Nationals Early Childhood Education and Care
- ECCTIS - Consultant Level 5 Early Childhood Qualifications China
- School Governor - Chair of Governors - Washwood Heath Nursery School
- Consultant - Early Years Qualifications, Early Years Curriculum, Child Development
Publications
News and Articles
Bradbury, A. & Murdoch, J. (2018) Above and Beyond: Widening Participation for Apprenticeship Learners within Health and Social Care. FE News
Bradbury, A. (2020) Why Universities need to work more closely with Training providers and how it can be achieved. FE News.
Publications
Doctor of Education - Reconceptualising the Third Teacher: A study of trainee experiences of work based learning on Level 3 Early Years Programmes. https://repository.derby.ac.uk/download/25d79dcddb01945a339784de9bef3a460364b9b1e8bc45e547f86a2d89da003b/2530229/Aaron%20Bradbury%20Reconceptualising%20the%20Third%20Teacher.pdf
Bradbury, A. & Wynne, V. (2019) Apprenticeships In Tummons, J. (2019) PCET Learning and Teaching in the Post Compulsory Sector. London. Sage
Bradbury, A. & Wynne, V. (2020) The Apprentice's Guide to End Point Assessment. London. Learning Matters
Bradbury, A. (2020) Early Years Supervision: A Practitioners Guide. Early Years Reviews. https://earlyyearsreviews.co.uk/product/practitioners-guide-to-supervision/
Bradbury, A. (2020) Early Years Guide to the Voice of the Child. Early Years Reviews. https://earlyyearsreviews.co.uk/product/early-years-guide-to-the-voice-of-the-child/
Early Years Coalition (2021) Birth to Five Matters. Chair of the Equality and Inclusion Chapter. https://www.birthto5matters.org.uk
Bradbury, A. (2021) Foreword. Early Years Foundation Stage. London. Learning Matters.
Bradbury, A. (2022) Nurturing in the Early Years: What the science tells us? (96), 1, pp. 7-9. ISSN 0960-2816
Bradbury, A. (2023) Chapter 7. Working with LGBT Parents in Early Childhood. In Simmons, H. & Thompson, P. (2023) Partnership with Parents in Early Childhood Today. London. Learning Matters
Bradbury, A., Musgrave, J., Perkins, H. (2023) A Practical Guide To Early Childhood Studies Graduate Practitioner Competencies. London. Learning Matters.
Bradbury, A. , & Grimmer, T. (2024) Love and Nurture in the Early Years. London. Learning Matters.
Bradbury, A., & Swailes , R. (2024) A Child Centred EYFS. London. Corwin.
Bradbury, A. (2024) The early years and play: The last bastion for democracy. Democracy & education. BERA Research Intelligence. Issue 160. Autumn 2024.
In development
Bradbury, A., Swailes, R., & Thompson, P. (2024) An Early Childhood Manifesto. London . Sage.
Meechan, D., & Bradbury, A. (2024) Balancing Numbers or Addressing Needs? Child to Adult Ratios, Practitioner Well-being and Quality of Provision in Early Years Settings in England. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Conferences/Keynote speaker
Bradbury, A. (2019) Conference Paper - Working together through an apprenticeship framework for Early Childhood Professionals. Macao, China.
Bradbury, A. (2020) Presentation - The changing landscape of the Early Years and its implications on the child. Socialist Educational Association. February 2020. Bristol.
Bradbury, A. (2020) LGBTQ Representation in the Early Years. Early Childhood Conference. University of Derby.
Bradbury, A. (2020) The importance of Nurture and Nurturing environments in the Early Years. Kinderly Learn.
Bradbury, A. (2021) The Early Years Voice. BELMAS. Birmingham
Bradbury, A. (2021) Diversity and Inclusion and Gender Discussion. Sefdey. https://sway.office.com/hw6uS8I6ISxTmC00?ref=Link
Bradbury, A. (2021) LGBTQ Representation in Early Childhood and services. Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network.https://www.ecsdn.org/research-conferences/research-conference-apr-2021/
Bradbury, A. (2021) The Early Years Child: Nurturing Children through a diverse lens. Early Excellence: A Celebration of Early Childhood Education.
Bradbury, A. (2023) Nurturing Children - What the Science Tells Us. Nursery World Show.
Bradbury, A. & Swailes, R. (2023) Early Childhood Theories Today. North West Early Years Stronger Practice Hub.
Blogs
Bradbury, A. & Pemberton, L. (2020) The Early Years Inclusion Revolution. Famly. https://www.famly.co/blog/early-years-inclusion-revolution
Bradbury, A. (2020) Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Early Years. Kinderly. https://kinderly.co.uk/2020/08/04/where-do-early-years-practitioners-stand-when-it-comes-to-equality-diversity-and-inclusion/
Bradbury, A. (2020) Play, is it a lost word?. Nottingham Institute of Education Blog. https://nottinghaminstituteofeducation.wordpress.com/2020/06/03/play-a-lost-word/
Bradbury, A. & Coffey, G. (2021) Why LGBTQ Representation matters in the Early Years. Famly. https://www.famly.co/blog/lgbtqia-representation-early-years
Bradbury, A. (2021) How to nurture children and enhance your environment in the Early Years. Kinderly. https://kinderly.co.uk/2020/12/17/how-to-nurture-children-and-enhance-your-early-years-environment/
Bradbury, A. (2023) Just another huge blow to the early years sector. Nottingham Institute of Education Blog. https://nottinghaminstituteofeducation.wordpress.com/2023/03/20/just-another-huge-blow-to-the-early-years-sector-funding-ratios-and-ping-pong-politics/
Affiliations
Co Chair Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network - https://www.ecsdn.org
Member of TACTYC - https://www.tactyc.org.uk
Member of the Early Years Coalition
QAA Subject Benchmark writer - Early Childhood Studies - Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
Press expertise
- Early Years
- Disadvantage
- Child Development
- Early Childhood Research
- Workforce Development
