Kay Aaronricks

Kay Aaronricks is a Senior Lecturer and Head of the School of Education at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). With a background in early childhood care and education, she specializes in professional identity development for early years practitioners, particularly home-based childminders. Her work emphasizes action research and community-driven professional development.

Education:

• Doctorate in Education (EdD), ARU
• PGCert in Higher Education, ARU
• MA Early Years Professional Practice, ARU
• Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT), ARU
• BA (Hons) Combined Education Studies and Early Childhood Education, ARU

Kay's research focuses on distinctive home-based pedagogies, childminder identity, and cyclical models of professional development. She advocates for childminder-led, reflective practices that adapt to evolving policies in early childhood education.

Her recent publications explore contextualized professional development frameworks and home-based childcare pedagogies. Kay has presented her findings at major conferences like the European Early Childhood Research Association (EECERA) events, highlighting innovative approaches to continuous professional development (CPD).

Scientific Awards:

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• ARU 3 Minute Thesis Winner (2018)

Kay supervises research students and collaborates with early years professionals. She contributes to organizations such as the Association for Professional Development in Early Years (TACTYC) and the Collaborative Action Research Network (CARN).