EARLY START - Key Persons
Prof Edward Melhuish is a founder and co-creator of the Early Years Toolbox. His research has contributed to social policy in the UK in the area of families, young children, early education and social disadvantage. With 300 publications, he has contributed to discussions of social policy for children in Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China, Korea, Chile, European Commission, OECD and WHO. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and in 2016 was awarded an OBE for Services to Social Sciences.
A/Prof Cathrine Neilsen-Hewett is a co-creator of the Early Years Toolbox. She is Academic Director of the Early Years at University of Wollongong. Her research focuses on quality early childhood education and care environments, integrated service delivery, and enhancing access to early childhood education and health services. She has pioneered in-service professional development interventions for ECEC educators that have been the focus of multiple successful evaluations, showing impact at both the centre and child level.
Job Titles:
- Software / Systems Engineer
Ricky Tat is a software/systems engineer based in Sydney, Australia. He has worked with clients all around the world in helping to develop and integrate software solutions. He is a co-founder of Sockii, a company that creates mobile, desktop and web applications.
Simon Chadwick is an author, illustrator and cartoonist based in the New Forest, UK. He's created over 20 children's books. His cartoon work has appeared on children's material for many of the UK's leading restaurant, leisure and travel brands, and for clients in the UK, America, Canada, South Korea, Greece, the Middle East and Australia.
Sophia Lay is a software engineer and UI/UX designer based in Sydney, Australia. She has worked with clients all around the world in helping to develop and integrate software solutions. She is co-founder of Sockii, a company that creates mobile, desktop and web applications.