ABOUT | Nicky Shaw Care and Learning

About Me

A caring and nurturing professional with experience in care, education, and leadership roles, I have spent my career working with children and families across Early Years, Childcare, Primary and Higher Education settings. From local authorities to private and third sector organizations, I support child and adult learning journeys across the UK.

CPL, Conference and Consultancy Clients include:

Arthurlie Family Learning Centre, East Renfrewshire Council

Arcadia Nurseries, Edinburgh

Brent Council

Brighton and Hove City Council

Bright Little Stars Nurseries, Middlesex

Calderside Family Learning Centre, South Lanarkshire Council

Colville Primary School, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Craighead Country Nursery, North Ayrshire

Craigneuk Family Learning Centre, North Lanarkshire Council

Cumbernauld Family Learning Centre, North Lanarkshire Council

Educational Institute of Scotland

Escape to the Story Nursery, Hamilton

Forgewood Family Learning Centre, North Lanarkshire Council

Glasgow City Council
Hamilton Early Years Unit, South Lanarkshire Council

Kingfisher Pre-School, Hampshire

Leicestershire Council

Little Sparrows Nursery, Surrey

Marlborough Primary School, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Oldham Council PVI sector and Childminders

Renfrewshire Council

Scheuchan and Park Primary Schools, Dumfries and Galloway Council

Shetland Isles Council

St Andrew's Primary School, North Lanarkshire Council

Stepping Stones Nursery, Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute Council

Surrey County Council

Windmill Nursery, Motherwell

Freelance Professional Learning Trainer and Consultant
BA Childhood Practice Course Leader at University of Strathclyde
Early Years Lecturer and Early Level ITE Lecturer
LA Early Years Outdoor Play Quality Assessor
LA Nursery Class Teacher
LA Professional Learning Team Leader for "Building the Ambition"
Solihull Approach Parenting Group Facilitator
LA Children's Centre Manager
LA Primary School Teacher
Private Nursery Teacher
Third Sector School-Aged Daycare Leader
Third Sector Playgroup Leader

Mind, Brain, and Relationships in the Cultivation of Well-Being (PESI & Mindsight Institute Certified)
Attachment: How Close Relationships Shape Who We Are (PESI & Mindsight Institute Certified)
Masters in Education in Early Years Pedagogy (University of Strathclyde)
PGCE Early Childhood Education (University of Glasgow)
PGDE Primary Education (University of Strathclyde)
BA Degree Sociology and Psychology (University of Strathclyde)
First Aid for Mental Health (FAA certified)
Advanced Diploma in Learning and Development (Level 5)
Safeguarding Everyone (Level 3)

Shetland Islands Council - ELC Mentoring and Leadership Programme
Glasgow City Council - A Different Starting Point: Embracing Neurodiversity and Inclusion for all in ELC
Glasgow City Council - Changing Hearts and Minds Project
Oldham Council - Quality Improvement Project across PVI Sector
Oldham Council - Quality Improvement Project with Childminders
Scottish Emotion Coaching Interest Group Lead
EY Trauma Informed Resources Development Group for Attachment Research Community (ARC)
Advisory Panel Member - Thin Raft (Supporting Young People's Wellbeing through Gardening)
External Advisor for Masters Degree in Home-Based Childcare at Norland College, Bath.
Member of Scottish Curriculum Review Group : Ethos and Life of the School collaboration group
External Advisor for SUNRISE Scotland Project: 24-hour Movement Behaviours, Child Development, and Early Childhood Settings

Mission

My teaching, training, and writing aims to support all aspects of professional education and childcare practice with a focus on emotionally intelligent, empathic interactions with children, parents, and staff teams.

Vision

Human beings are innately social beings. Building solid relationships is key to supporting children and families.

Research suggests that IQ accounts for only 20% of your success in life. The remaining 80% comes from non-IQ factors including your capacity to relate to others.

I work to support individuals, parents, and teams to adopt a relational approach to all aspects of care and learning, with the aim of creating a community thrives on social connections.