How did it feel to be presented with an Honorary Doctorate?
It was wonderful, but it came totally out of the blue. I had a lovely afternoon returning to the college and seeing some of my former colleagues.
You started out as an Early Years teacher – how did this lead to you starting the UK’s first Early Childhood Studies degree?
In my job I spotted lots of clever nursery nurses who had so much to offer but their potential was not being fulfilled by the current training courses. It became clear that there was a great need for a degree that would provide a good qualification, ensuring a high-quality provision.
How does it feel to have created such an influential degree programme that has been replicated in many countries worldwide?
I was invited back to Suffolk by the current leader of the Early Childhood Studies department as this year marks the 21st birthday of the degree. It was there I was told all about how the graduates are now teaching all over the world, which is wonderful to hear.
