Dear Miss Piper…
Thank you for being my rock over the past decade. Because of you, I’ve been able to build a strong foundation—for myself and for my family. Through you, I created a safe space to be creative and playful. I’ve been you for just over 10 years, and now, it’s time to say goodbye.
I’ve loved stepping into your shoes day after day, and I hope together we’ve brought something meaningful to the EYFS teaching space. But now we’re at a crossroads. It’s time for me to prioritise myself. I’ve cherished teaching young children—it’s been a wild, wonderful ride—but I now feel called to influence those working in this space in a different way.
Love from,
Ann-Marie xxx
Reflections from Over a Decade as an EYFS Teacher
When I reflect on how I became ‘Miss Piper’, it was a rocky path. I decided to become an Early Years teacher at 17 after being placed in a Reception class during work experience. I only spent a week there—but I was hooked. There was no going back. Even though I specialised in the EYFS during my studies, the training and support I received were anything but specialised. In many training sessions, the EYFS was mentioned on just a slide or two—if at all.
I still remember my first day as an NQT: a classroom full of children, and I had no idea what Development Matters was. Looking back, that’s shocking.
The teaching landscape has changed considerably since then—Development Matters was reformed in 2021, the Ofsted framework has evolved, there's been a pedagogical shift in how we view behaviour, and there have been multiple national strikes, just to name a few. While many of these changes have been positive, I now feel ready to make an impact in the EYFS in a different way. It's time for someone else to take on the teaching mantle. I imagine there are many practitioners who’ve been in this world for 10+ years and feel the same.
What’s Next…
The EYFS is a precious and crucial space—it lays the very foundation of our children’s development and must never be taken lightly. Specialised training isn’t a luxury; it’s essential. It deserves the respect and depth it is so often denied.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to train and support EYFS teachers and leaders in their practice—and I absolutely loved it. That’s where I feel called now. I want to revolutionise how EYFS practitioners are introduced to the field—so they begin strong, with confidence and clarity, rather than bumbling through like I did.
So, as this blog is titled, it’s time for me to say goodbye to the character I’ve played for so long. Today, I let go of Miss Piper and step into something new—still rooted in the EYFS, but from a different angle.
A New Chapter Begins
As I close this chapter, I step into a new season—one where I continue to uplift and support the Early Years community, just in a different way. Miss Piper’s Play Pod will grow into a space for shared knowledge, creativity, and collaboration. I hope you’ll stay connected as the journey evolves—there’s still so much magic to create together.
A Little Note…
I want to take a moment to thank all of the children and families I’ve had the privilege to teach and support. Letting go of that part of the job has been the hardest part of all. I wish you nothing but joy, love, and success in whatever paths you take