Paulette has worked in the field of early childhood throughout her career as a teacher, foster carer, school-home liaison worker, nursery practitioner and advisor, and as a childcare and education lecturer in further education. These different areas of work experience have inspired a deep interest in the ways that children and adults develop understandings of the world and the pedagogies that promote learning.

Paulette joined Anglia Ruskin University in 2003 and is currently a senior lecturer in the Department of Education. She enjoys teaching modules linked to early childhood curriculum and pedagogy, especially ‘Supporting Children’s Learning’ where students undertake projects on areas of continuous provision and also compare different curricula. Paulette currently leads the MA Early Childhood Education and is keen to share ideas about early years practice and professionalism.

Paulette’s doctoral research focussed upon understandings and uses of child observation in early years settings, revealing the significance of practitioners’ seeing and knowing of young children. This has led to two related areas of research and publication: firstly, about childhood observation and ethics of care; and secondly, educators’ learning and professional development. Paulette is currently involved in a ‘Creative Writing through the Arts’ project, in partnership with Royal Opera House Bridge and Billericay Teaching School Alliance.

Paulette teaches specialist modules on early childhood pedagogy: at MA level ‘Early Childhood: Principles, Practice and Professionalism’; and, for BA students, ‘Supporting Children’s Learning’. She also leads a Professional Enquiry module, across all MA courses in Education, together with FdA and BA modules focused upon work-based learning and critical enquiry.