I caught up with Caroline Vollans to find out a little more about her and her involvement in Brighter Start over the last three years.
We talked about her work, her ideas, her hopes for the future - and even her favourite spot in East London.
First things first, Caroline, what’s one thing you’d like our readers to know about you?
I’d like them to know that I’m a behind-the-scenes person. I enjoy working with others, supporting them to get their voices heard.
Now for a slightly trickier question – can you tell us something about yourself that not many people know?
I make a grand soda bread. Actually quite a few people know this by now - I go on a bit about it!
I started making it during Covid – it’s the easiest bread to make. I think I might have gone a bit extra since going to my motherland of County Mayo (Ireland) in the summer – I’ve noticed my family bringing sourdough home!
Can you say a bit about what brought you to Brighter Start in 2022?
I worked a lot with Sheringham nursery school when freelancing for various early years publications, so I knew about their work and how to showcase it.
When the opportunity arose to work for the Stronger Practice Hub, I jumped at it. I felt a little nervous as it was unknown territory and I didn’t want to let Melissa, Fliss and Lindsey down. I’m still around, though, so I guess I must be OK.
In a nutshell, could you tell us what your role involves?
I lead on the writing and editing for the hub. I write blogs regularly and work closely with early years educators and other experts in the field to create content about high-quality practice and associated areas of early years education.
So, I do a lot of planning and scheduling of blogs as well as finding educators who are interested, or can be persuaded to be interested, in having a go at writing with my support.
Which aspect of your work are you most proud of so far?
I feel a warm glow when educators, especially those who haven’t previously written for publication, say how proud they are of their final draft and thank me for supporting them to get there.
I feel even better when they say how much they’ve learned from working with me (even enjoyed it) and would like to write again – that’s me happy!
And, looking forward, is there something that you are most excited about for the next phase of the SPH work?
I’m keen to refine my approach to working with our contributors. Every year I feel it gets better, and I want to continue that trajectory. I’ve become more adept at finding ways of working that better suit the individual. So, I try to assess what input would most benefit them and take it from there. Some start by writing with me, some have a go and then work with me on developing it, and so on – there are lots of ways of working together.
I’d also like to incorporate my knowledge and practice of psychoanalysis into the columns I write. I enjoy it when I can write in a way that brings together my experience as a teacher and psychoanalyst.
Building on these areas is what I’m most interested in doing over the coming year.
What’s the one difference you hope to make through your work?
I encounter so many bright and capable women in the early years - I want to help give them a voice through their writing. It’s an opportunity for them to share their vast knowledge and expertise with others.
If I caught up with you in a year’s time, what would you hope to be telling me about?
I’d like to be sharing two aspects of my work.
Firstly, some of the publications that first-time writers have produced over the year.
Secondly, how some of the ‘once first-timers’ are writing more confidently and regularly.
And finally, what’s your favourite spot in East London?
This is so hard. I moved to Tower Hamlets for my first teaching job, and love so much of it.
I’ll opt for the canal. I especially love the walk from Victoria Park to Limehouse basin and Ropemakers Park – it’s so beautiful and restful (except for a few wild cyclists and runners). On a lucky day I see a Kingfisher.