Erica Evans, joint programme manager

Erica has over 17 years experience working in education. She has worked as a class teacher, registered childminder and childminding network co-ordinator. In 2007 she successfully completed the EYPS validation pathway at the University of Brighton.

Erica has enjoyed supporting adult learners in a range of settings, including childminders, teaching assistants, early years practitioners and student teachers. She currently teaches on the Foundation Degree in Early Years at the Open University, and the BA(Hons) with QTS at the University of Brighton.
She also delivers Early Years training workshops through Brighton and Hove Early Years and Childcare.

Erica has enjoyed working as an EYPS assessor and mentor. She brings her wealth of experience of quality Early Years provision, and her passion for the development of excellence in Early Years to her role as joint programme manager for the EYPS programme at the University of Brighton.

Annie Richardson, joint programme manager

Annie has worked in Early Years for over 20 years in a number of roles including being a supervisor of a committee managed playgroup and a nursery manager. More recently she worked with children with complex special educational needs and their families and as a Local Authority Early Years Consultant.

Annie gained EYPS during the national pilot in 2006/7 after completing the Foundation Degree in Early Years Care and Education in its introductory year at the University of Brighton, followed by the BA (Hons) in Professional Education Studies.

She is currently the Route Leader for the Foundation Degree in Early Years Care and Education at the Hastings Campus and teaches across various Education modules. She brings her experience of early years to the EYPS programme alongside her passion in supporting those working in the early years sector to develop their professionalism.