Get to Know Me

My name is Laura Henry-Allain. I’m a leading, award-winning expert in Early Years education and children’s media both in the UK and internationally.

I’ve been working with babies and the under-sevens for three decades and I never get tired of watching them grow and develop into independent children and young people. I strongly believe that a good educational start offering love and support is the best foundation for a life of growth and learning.

Since I started in education I’ve used my skills to support colleagues who work directly with children, parents and settings. I also work with national and international organisations that provide services and expertise to children and their families.

As well as training and consultancy work:

- I’ve been a nursery manager, Ofsted inspector, teacher and curriculum manager.
- I’m a regular contributor to Nursery World, other trade publications and the national press.
- I have written several books of my own. These include the JoJo and Gran Gran book series, which now airs on the BBC’s CBeebies channel.
- I have been a regular member of the judging panel for the Nursery World, GESS and TES.
- I have shared my expert knowledge with government departments, including the Department for Education, advising them on policy and strategy decisions.
- I have served on a number of national and international forums and working parties.
- I mentor a number of young people, which I find thoroughly rewarding.
- I am vice-president of The British Association for Early Childhood Education
- I am an educational consultant for the BBC
- I am an ambassador for the Jermain Defoe Foundation