Nicky Shaw
Care and Learning Consultancy Ltd.
Putting Caring Relationships at the Heart of Learning
Early Years Professional Coaching
Supportive, sector-specific coaching for early years practitioners and managers
Working in early years is meaningful and rewarding, but it can also be demanding, especially when you’re balancing the needs of children, families, staff, and ongoing expectations within your setting.
Strengthen your practice, grow in confidence, and feel more assured in your role.
My approach is compassionate, practical and grounded in 30 years experience, so you can apply what we discuss directly in your setting. Whether you’re developing your own practice or leading a team, sessions are tailored to your needs and can include
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building confidence
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supporting work relationships
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pedagogy and curriculum
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preparing for inspection
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team leadership
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continuous improvement
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supporting wellbeing
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work-life balance
Early Years Academic Mentoring
Academic mentoring tailored specifically for early years students
With years of experience supervising graduate and postgraduate early years and childhood practice students, I can provide valuable support, guidance and academic insight to help you succeed in your studies.
As a mentor with specialist early years, trauma-informed and neurodiversity qualifications, I will support you as a unique individual.
Together, we will create a safe and reflective learning space where we can explore your ideas, build your confidence, and develop your academic skills of:
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Stress Management
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Time Management and Organisation
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ICT Skills
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Reading and Effective Notetaking
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Grammar, Punctuation & Sentence Structure
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Critical Thinking and Analysis
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Linking Theory and Practice
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Communication and Presentation Skills
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Academic Assignment Writing
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Academic Referencing Skills
Early Years Interview Coaching
Personalised, sector-specific coaching for all childhood practice professionals
Interviews can trigger anxiety as they combine high stakes, social evaluation and performance pressure; all of which activate our stress response!
Overcome your interview anxiety and make a strong impression at your next interview.
I will support you to:
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Learn calming techniques to regulate your emotions
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Develop effective communication skills
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Present your unique personal qualities and interests
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Identify your Values, Skills and Knowledge
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Make links from Policy into Practice
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Prepare for Scenario-Based Interview Questions
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Learn to tell your Professional Story through focused examples from your practice
Book a 2-session interview package
Present your best self in your next interview. Let me help you to reduce anxiety and increase self-confidence to enable you to take the next step in your career.
WHAT PRACTITIONERS SAY
Early Years Interview Coaching
Nicky was amazing! She worked with me to develop my interview skills and gave me the confidence to answer questions in a way that demonstrated my abilities and achievements, both professionally and personally. I would highly recommend Nicky as she was so patient, understanding and helpful.
Emma, Early Years Practitioner
Early Years Academic Mentoring
Nicky has been a brilliant mentor who has shared her wealth of academic experience and knowledge of research. I have benefitted from Nicky's supportive and engaging sessions where she has helped me unpack highly complex theoretical concepts and frameworks into relatable ones. Thank you so much!
Early Years Doctoral Student
Book Bespoke Professional Learning for your Team or Cluster
In-service and twilight training for early years settings, childminders, primary schools, school-aged childcare, secondary schools, colleges, local authorities, national and international organisations.
In-person or online CPL sessions, conference workshops, lectures and keynotes.
Get in touch to book high quality, inspiring training for you and your team.
WHAT SETTINGS SAY
Nursery Manager
We honestly can't thank you enough for the inspiration and confidence you have given us.
The difference you made to our practice was felt right from the very first session.
You brought something truly special, and early years desperately needs more people with your heart."
Head of Family Learning Centre
Nicky is a phenomenal and inspiring trainer! She speaks from the heart with understanding, empathy and compassion.
She tailored the training to the needs of our team, first finding out where they were on their journey as educators and then meeting them at that point to ensure that the course was able to meet their needs.
Book Your Own Professional Learning
CPL training for professionals working in early years, primary schools, childminding, school-aged childcare, secondary schools and wider organisations.
Recorded courses: available to purchase and complete at your own pace.
Live sessions: twilight or evening events on zoom, and upcoming events will be advertised here.
All sessions: certificated and contribute to your annual CPL hours.
Part 1: Understanding the Journey
Part 2: Hearing Children's Voices
Purchase this pre-recorded course for only £35.
Receive certificate upon completion, evidencing 3 hours CPL.
Part 1: Professional Noticing - What Matters?
Part 2: Who's View is it Anyway?
Purchase this pre-recorded course for only £35.
Receive certificate upon completion, evidencing 3 hours CPL.
Part 1: What are Children Really Telling us?
Part 2: Holding Space for Big Feelings
Purchase this pre-recorded course for only £35.
Receive certificate upon completion, evidencing 3 hours CPL.
WHAT PROFESSIONALS SAY
Emotion Coaching:
Supporting Emotion Regulation
I found the course to be an instant lightbulb moment where I could correct my current practice to support the emotional resilience of the children I have within my care.
I feel empowered to implement this new thinking into my practice.
Thank you very much for the training as it helped me look at it a whole different way and developed my practice.
Out-of-School Care Leader
Observations:
The Power of Multiple Perspectives
I’ve absolutely loved having you at our setting, Nicky. You have such a calm, thoughtful way of explaining early years practice that really makes everything click.
Your approach opened our eyes to new perspectives and we all feel more confident and skilled going forward.
Thankyou for such meaningful and impactful training!
Early Years Lead Practitioner
Neurodiversity:
A Different Starting Point
This has been a superb course. The sessions were so engaging with lots of great discussions and tasks. I really liked the interactive tasks we did on our phones.
Having the weekly reflections was great as it helped us to focus on making changes in practice. Focusing on our case studies in the final session was so helpful and really helped me to see how this can all work in practice.
Child Development Officer
