Kay Aaronricks

Kay's expertise is in Early Years Education, working with children aged 0-7 years. She has a specific interest in the professional identity of the early years workforce and the importance of continuous professional development.

kay.aaronricks@aru.ac.uk

Background

Kay's background is in early years childcare and education, with over 10 years experience in supporting children and their families to gain the best start in life. In addition, Kay has worked closely with colleagues and other professionals, providing continuous professional development opportunities through establishing communities of practice and training workshops.

Kay has tutored, assessed and mentored students studying early years education at both an FE and HE level for the last four years, including the Early Years Professional Status and the Early Years Initial Teacher Training pathways. Her varied experience and involvement in the early years industry has led to the development of a strong interest in raising the professional status of the early years workforce, through education and continued research within the industry.

Research interests

• Professional Identity
• Continuous Professional Development
• The value of Early Years Education

Kay is currently researching into the professional identity of the early years workforce for the completion of an Educational Doctorate; exploring the potential impact of continuous professional development on raising the status of the early years workforce. With increasing government focus on this area of education, Kay is keen that her research can contribute to the development of the profession.

Teaching

• Teaches on the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Professional Studies and the FdA Early Years Playwork degrees, along with continued involvement in the delivery and assessment of the EYITT professional qualification. Additionally, supervising undergraduates with their final year major projects and providing support to students throughout their studies.

Qualifications

• Educational Doctorate, Anglia Ruskin University (completion due 2018)
• MA Early Years Professional Practice, Anglia Ruskin University
• Early Years Professional Status, Anglia Ruskin University
• BA (Hons) comb Early Childhood and Education Studies, Anglia Ruskin University