Dr Caron Carter BEd (Hons), MA, NPQH, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education and Postgraduate Research Tutor in Education (SIoE)
Summary
I am a researcher and teacher in the field of Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining Sheffield Hallam University in 2007, I was an Early Years Teacher in a Nursery Infant School and a Primary School for over ten years. Five of these years were as a Deputy Headteacher and one as an Acting Headteacher. During this time, I had leadership responsibilities including English and Inclusion. These experiences together with post-graduate study for the National Professional Qualification for Headship and an MA in Early Childhood Education from Sheffield University inspired me to apply to Sheffield Hallam University for a lectureship in 2007. In 2013 I completed my PhD under the supervision of Professor Cathy Nutbrown. My research interests focus on children's friendships. Much of my work has involved looking at ways to develop a listening culture for the voice of the child to be heard and providing opportunities for children to exercise their agency. A critical element of his activity is ensuring that my research impacts on school practice. I am currently researching how schools support children's friendships and also the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on well-being and friendships. I am also part of a team from Sheffield Hallam University researching for Save the Children on a project entitled 'Children's Communities'. This is looking at improving outcomes for children in specific areas including, school readiness, friendship, play, transitions. Previous roles include: Acting Headteacher in a Sheffield Infant School Deputy Headteacher in two Sheffield Nursery Infant Schools Assistant Headteacher in a Sheffield Primary School Class teacher in a Sheffield Primary School
About
For two years I was an Assistant Headteacher in a Primary School, five years as a Deputy Headteacher in two Nursery Infant Schools and a year as Acting Headteacher. These experiences together with post-graduate study for the National Professional Qualification for Headship and an MA in Early Childhood Education from Sheffield University inspired me to apply to Sheffield Hallam University for a lectureship in 2007. I teach Early Education, Leadership and English modules on the undergraduate Early Childhood Studies Honours Degree. I also teach in postgraduate education courses. My University of Sheffield PhD research funded by Sheffield Hallam University investigated children's friendships.
Previous roles include:
Acting Headteacher in a Sheffield Infant School
Deputy Headteacher in two Sheffield Nursery Infant Schools
Assistant Headteacher in a Sheffield Primary School
Class teacher in a Sheffield Primary School
Teaching interests
Children’s Friendships
Quality and Effectiveness in Early Childhood Education
Literacy, including Digital Literacy
Leadership and Management in the Early Years Contexts
International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education
Teaching
Department of Education, Childhood and Inclusion
College of Social Sciences and Arts
I started at Sheffield Hallam University in January 2007, initially joining the Early Childhood Studies team. I lead and teach a range of Early Education, School Curriculum, Leadership and English modules at undergraduate level. My current teaching is also focused on leading and teaching on the Doctorate in Education (EdD), module 3 (Research Methodologies and Research Design), and on doctoral supervision. Teaching interests Children’s Friendships Quality and Effectiveness in Early Childhood Education The School Curriculum Leadership and Management in the Early Years Contexts International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education.
Sheffield Institute in Education. Early Childhood Studies and the Doctorate in Education (EdD).
Research
Children's Communities Project (Save the Children). Supporting Children's Friendships in School Contexts. (Sheffield Hallam University). Covid 19 Research into Children's Friendships and Well-being (Sheffield Hallam University).
Publications
Journal articles
Carter, C. (2022). What is the biggest challenge facing pastoral care in education today and how can this challenge be effectively addressed? The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on children’s well-being. Pastoral Care in Education: An International Journal of Personal, Social and Emotional Development. http://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2022.2093960
Carter, C. (2022). Supporting young children’s friendships: the facilitating role of the lunchtime welfare supervisor. Pastoral Care in Education, 1-20. http://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2022.2054023
Carter, C. (2021). Navigating Young Children's Friendship Selection: Implications for Practice. International Journal of Early Years Education. http://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2021.1892600
Carter, C., & Bath, C. (2016). The pirate in the pump: children's views of objects as imaginary friends at the start of school. Education 3-13, 46 (3), 335-344. http://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2016.1262887
Carter, C., & Nutbrown, C. (2016). A pedagogy of friendship: young children's friendships and how schools can support them? The Journal of Early Years Education, 24 (4), 395-413. http://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2016.1189813
Book chapters
CARTER, C.A.R.O.N. (2019). Children's friendships. In FITZGERALD, D., & MACONOCHIE, H. (Eds.) Early Childhood Studies: A Student's Guide. (pp. 95-112). London: Sage Publishing
Books
Carter, C. (2018). Successful Dissertations The Complete Guide for Education, Childhood and Early Childhood Studies Students. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Reports
Carter, C., Clark, L., Coldwell, M., Hatton, A., Pearson, S., Reaney-Wood, S., ... Wilson, I. (2022). Family hubs evaluation interim report: Doncaster. Department for Education. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1123746/Family_Hub_Evaluation_Innovation_Fund_Interim_report-Doncaster.pdf
Batty, E., Harris, C., Leather, D., Pearson, S., Wilson, I., Carter, C., ... Willis, B. (2020). Children’s Communities final evaluation report. Save the Children, UK. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/childrens-communities-final-evaluation-report
Batty, E., Harris, C., Leather, D., Pearson, S., Wilson, I., Coldwell, M., ... Willis, B. (2018). Children's Communities programme evaluation 2018 report. Save the Children UK. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/childrens-communities-programme-evaluation-2018-report
Other activities
- External Examiner at Birmingham City University.
- Recently a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Early Childhood Research.
- Regular reviewer for journals including the Journal of Early Childhood Research and Education 3-13.
- I am a School Governor (Vice Chair) at a Junior School in Sheffield.
Postgraduate supervision
I welcome informal contacts from prospective doctoral students in all areas related to my research interests. Current doctoral researchers: Arwa Omar: The Overlapping Relationship between Theory of Mind, Executive Functions and Mathematics Achievement. PhD. (Director of Studies). Sally Pearse: The Look of Love: Reception Teachers’ Perceptions of Professional Love. EdD. (2nd Supervisor) Sarah Procter: Stories from the Nursery of Professional Learning. EdD. (2nd Supervisor) Completed doctoral researchers: Aimee Quickfall: Mothers Returning to Teaching after Maternity Leave. EdD. (Director of Studies). Margaret Donoghue: The Implementation of Aistear: Early Childhood Curriculum Framework in Ireland. EdD. (Director of Studies).