Dr Gemma Ryder

Gemma's passion for working in early childhood began when she completed the NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing. Her experience in the sector has seen her work in private and not-for-profit settings, which included a study visit to Joliet and Chicago to shadow practitioners and learn more about Head Start, Early Head Start and special education provision. She has worked in further education as an Early Years Work Placement Coordinator on the CACHE courses in early years and childcare. In addition to her role as a Senior Lecturer, Gemma has worked as an assessor, mentor and Programme Leader on the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) and Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) pathways. She has acted as an External Validation Panel Member on foundation and undergraduate degrees in early childhood and education courses across England.

She has also been part of a Reading Group revising the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement in Early Childhood Studies (2021-2022). Gemma has continued to develop her skills and expertise in early childhood through the completion of the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS), a Masters in Early Years Professional Practice and a Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD). Her thesis explored prosocial development across the birth-to-three years age group in formal early childhood settings.

Gemma is a certified Adult Mental Health First Aider and holds a CMI Level 5 Award in Management Coaching and Mentoring, supporting academics and professional service staff with their professional development and personal goals.