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Dr. Aaron Bradbury

School of Social Sciences

Role

Aaron Bradbury is Principal Lecturer for Early Childhood Studies, Childhood, Early Years Apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications in Early Years.

Career overview

Principal Lecturer in Early Years and Childhood | Researcher | Author | Consultant | Advocate for Inclusion, Play and Child Voice.

I have dedicated my career to Early Years and Childhood Education, a journey that began after completing my BTEC National Diploma in Early Years and Education and progressed through Higher Education. Since then, I have worked extensively across early childhood sectors spanning frontline practice, education, leadership, and strategic commissioning.

My career has included leading teams within Sure Start and Short Breaks services for children with disabilities, teaching Early Years and Care in Further Education, and serving as a Children's Commissioner for Public Health and Social Care. These experiences have shaped my deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and the voice of the child.

Research areas

Doctor of Education - Reconceptualising the Third Teacher: A study of trainee experiences of work based learning on Level 3 Early Years Programmes.

Play Policy and Power - A report reviewing literature: Early Childhood Education in the UK

Child in the Now:  Reclaiming Early Childhood

Informal Learning as Professionalisation in Early Childhood Education: Rethinking Tacit Knowledge and Workplace Pedagogies

PHD Supervision

I am currently co supervising a student looking at  School Readiness and Disadvantage

I am a co  supervisor  for a  Funded PHD  Project  -  Project Title: Reimagining Practices of Play: Collaborating with Nottingham communities to support children’s social and education development through curiosity-driven play

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
  • School Governor - Chair of Governors - Washwood Heath Nursery School
  • Consultant - Nottingham Trent University- Early Years Qualifications, Early Years Curriculum, Child Development

Publications

News and Articles

More men in the early years: Why we need to move beyond the 'male role model' narrative.  Nursery World - Aaron Bradbury: More men in early years – Why we need to move beyond the ‘male role model’ narrative

The Policy contradictions in Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life. Nursery World - Aaron Bradbury: The policy contradictions in Giving Every child the Best Start in Life

Children are not percentages: Rethinking the 'Good Level of Development'. Nursery World - Children are not percentages: Rethinking the ‘Good Level of Development’

Nurseries in England say new rules have reduced care to 'crowd control'.  The Guardian. Nurseries in England say new rules have reduced care to ‘crowd control’ | Early years education | The Guardian

Publications

Doctor of Education -  Reconceptualising the Third Teacher: A study of trainee experiences of work based learning on Level 3 Early Years Programmes.

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

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. (2021) From being to becoming - Early years education and research within practice. In: Flood, J. & Brown, C. The Research Informed Teaching Revolution. London. John Catt Publication. pp 17 - 26.
Bradbury, A. & Swailes, R. (2022) Early Childhood Theorists Today. 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.

Bradbury, A.,  Swailes, R., & Thompson, P. (2024)  An Early Childhood Manifesto. London . Sage.

Bradbury, A., & Hare, M. (2025). Play Policy and Power - A report reviewing literature: Early Childhood Education in the UK. Play, Policy and Power ECE England 1

Bradbury, A.,  & Grimmer, T.  (2025)  Child in the Now:  Reclaiming Early Childhood.  Early Years Reimagined: Child in the now

Bradbury, A., Wright, D., Boardman, K., Thompson, P., Jarvis, P., Cowley, S., Veale, V., Wayne, D., Swailes, R., Scollan, A., Grimmer, T., & Renshaw, K. (2025) Play Matters. Available at: https://www.early-years-reviews.com/play-matters

Bradbury, A. (2025). Reconceptualising the third teacher: a study of trainee experiences of work-based learning on level 3 early years programmes. Early Years, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2025.2558819

Bradbury, A.  (2025)  Starting Strong : Nurturing  School  Readiness  the  Child  Centred  Way.  Early  Years  Reviews.  Lulu  Publishers.

In development

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.  (PDF) Balancing Numbers or Addressing Needs? Child to Adult Ratios, Practitioner Well-being, and Quality of Provision in Early Years Settings in England Balancing Numbers or Addressing Needs? Child to Adult Ratios, Practitioner Well-being, and Quality of Provision in Early Years Settings in England

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
  • School Readiness
  • Play
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