About Us

The Company

There is a need in Early Years for additional training and support. The problem is finding a company that understands the complexities of this specialist area and the best way to deliver the content.

Jackie Hardie, our Managing Director, observed this requirement and realised that there were fellow professionals searching for this type of assistance. She decided to use her knowledge and experience to bring a service to the professional teaching environment that would fulfil this shortfall.

Having worked very closely with Early Years Departments and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCP), Stepping Stones Training was launched to achieve this area of support and development.

The natural step from working with EYDCPs and Childcare Partnerships was to contract key partnerships with day nurseries, schools and childminders, running in-service days, staff meetings and observations.

To ensure that we provide the absolute best service, we only employ trainers that are specialists in their field. That means our clients work with likeminded people who actually understand their requirements and can offer the very best in their field.

Stepping Stones Training

Creative Training, one step at a time

The Managing Director—Jacqueline Hardie BEd Hons Highly qualified and recognised for her child centred approach to teaching and learning, Jackie has taught children from 0-11 years of age. However, her passion for teaching has always been within the Early Years. She has led large groups of teachers and support workers in Foundation Stage work and as a Foundation Stage Coordinator was very involved with leading inset training. With the introduction of the Numeracy Strategy, she became a Leading Mathematics Teacher for a Local Education Authorities (LEA). In this role, she demonstrated best practice to other practitioners to ensure that the level of knowledge and skills was of the highest standard.

As an experienced Early Year’s teacher, Jackie also has a wealth of expertise working with the 0-3 year olds. She has managed a busy day nursery that took children from 3 months to Pre School. This experience has enabled Jackie to deliver courses that are appropriate to individual settings and that draw on her own experience.

Commercial expertise is essential in any business. Jackie’s commercial experience came from working within a FTSE 100 company. The company specialised in recruiting Early Years professionals for day nurseries and schools. Jackie led the way in developing strategies to build the business.

With the experience of teaching to major commercial business, it seemed evident to Jackie that she should harness this to launch her own business Stepping Stones Training.

As Jackie has a passion to see that only the very best quality training and support is provided by her company, she personally oversees all course content and delivery