Jayne Hackett

I began my career in the children’s workforce as an early years practitioner in a day nursery. This is where my passion for working with the 0-8 age group was ignited.

My experience within a school based setting across the Early Years Foundation and Key Stage 1 phases equipped me with the skills and knowledge required to establish and manage a community based playgroup which had strong links to a local children’s centre. The group offered the children learning and development opportunities but also provided their families with additional support services.

My transition into higher education began with supporting a local college in co-writing and teaching on a BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies Degree. I also had experience as an assessor on the Early Years Initial Teaching Programme and as a placement co-ordinator, both of which required liaising and securing strong links with industry.

After securing a fulltime lecturing position at University College Birmingham in 2014, I became the Childhood Studies Foundation Degree Programme Manager. I have also managed the Level 4 and 5 Children, Young People and Families Apprenticeships. I currently teach on a range of fulltime and online programmes within the field of childhood and education. I consider being in the classroom and supporting our wonderful learners in achieving their goals an honour and a privilege. 

My enduring passion for teaching and learning was recognised in 2017 when I won the first ever Spotlight in Teaching award and feel immensely grateful that University College Birmingham students took the time to vote for me.

Although I now teach the next generation of early years professionals my passion for making a difference to the lives of young children still burns as brightly as it did when my career first began.

• Children’s voice
• Research project (face to face and online)
• Research for enquiry
• Creativity and play in the early years
• Behaviour and individual differences
• Communication and language
• The Early Years Framework
• Growth, learning and development
• Maths and science in the curriculum
• Principles of learning
• Protecting children and safeguarding
• Work in partnership and managing inter-professional teams.
• Multi-agency working
• Supporting children's wellbeing and resilience

• Professional Identity and Leadership within the Early Years Workforce.
• Andragogic approaches to supporting student centred learning in Higher Education.   
• Young children’s creativity and criticality.
• The Voice of the Child.
• Shortly to begin doctoral study exploring professional identity and leadership within the early years workforce.

• Director on the Equitas Academies Trust Board
• Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Member of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network