Tanya Richardson University of Northampton, UK

Tanya Richardson owns and manages a 56-place nursery and out-of-school club and has done so for the last 7 years. Prior to establishing the business, she had no qualifications in the field of early childhood (she was a financial consultant in a previous incarnation) but just knew that she wanted to make a difference to young children's lives. In 2008, she embarked on a foundation degree, with the University of Northampton, and has not stopped studying since! She is currently putting the finishing touches to her master's degree and enjoying every minute. Research has become an integral aspect of her working life, and she now has the confidence to stand up for her beliefs, backed up by theory. She now has the underpinning knowledge to explain the rationale behind any decisions made and as such has just secured an ‘outstanding’ outcome on a recent Ofsted inspection. She has recently begun to work, part time, for the University of Northampton as an Associate Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies, and she is privileged to be able to share her knowledge and passion with others.