Most children know me as Miss Piper, but I'm Ann-Marie to friends and colleagues. Welcome to my little corner of the education world, where I share ideas, resources, and a passion for early learning.

My Philosophy

I believe every child has the innate ability to learn and a natural curiosity about the world. It’s up to the adults around them to create a safe, supportive space that nurtures this potential. I’m a strong advocate for open-ended play and unlimited access to the outdoors, as both provide rich opportunities for learning, creativity, and exploration.

When it comes to the curriculum, I believe children can learn about any subject—including geography and history—as long as it’s meaningful, engaging, and carefully designed. By creating a stimulating and thoughtful environment, children can confidently tap into their potential and thrive in all areas of learning.

I’m particularly passionate about early reading, recognising it as a powerful gateway to lifelong learning. I believe that systematic, well-structured phonics teaching—alongside a rich diet of storytelling and access to high-quality texts—lays the foundation for confident, joyful readers. My work supports practitioners in delivering early reading provision that is both rigorous and inspiring, ensuring every child has the opportunity to see themselves as a reader.

Having taught across both the EYFS and Key Stage 1, I also understand the importance of a smooth and developmentally appropriate transition between phases. I’m committed to maintaining a balance between play-based learning and more formal approaches, supporting children’s growing independence while nurturing their curiosity and love for learning.

My Experience

11+ years' experience in Early Years Education, working across nursery, reception, and primary settings.
Experienced EYFS Lead Practitioner, leading and supporting high-quality EYFS practice across a range of educational environments.
Expertise in curriculum development, provision design, and learning environment enhancement to ensure outstanding outcomes for young children.
Extensive experience as an Early Years Educator, supporting children's development through play-based, child-centred learning.
Experience teaching and supporting in Key Stage 1, ensuring smooth transitions from EYFS while maintaining developmentally appropriate practice.
Skilled in developing guided reading provision, formative assessment approaches, and curriculum planning across core subjects.
Freelance education writer, contributing to publications including:
- Tapestry
- Teach Early Years
- Times Educational Supplement (TES)
- Kent Teach
- Department for Education (DfE)
Guest Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University, delivering bespoke EYFS lectures to trainee teachers and early years professionals.
Early Reading Specialist, supporting schools to strengthen:
- Phonics provision
- Reading for pleasure
- Early comprehension
- Reading leadership and curriculum development
Experienced in delivering training, coaching, consultancy, and in-school support, with particular expertise in the Read Write Inc. programme.
Proven track record of modelling best practice, delivering targeted interventions, and supporting sustainable improvements in reading outcomes from EYFS through to KS1.
Passionate about sharing practical, evidence-informed approaches that support educators, children, and schools to thrive.