Karen Vincent is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education in the Faculty of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University. Her experience as a teacher in a variety of school settings with a particular interest in the earliest years of learning, has led to her practice based pedagogical research interests. Karen supports the professional learning and development of new educators in early childhood, leading on the placement modules in early childhood studies. She is secretary of the International Professional Development Association as well as a member of TACTYC and the Chartered College of Teaching.