At Hopscotch we know you’re unique – we work to your specific needs and requirements.
We are a tight-knit team of sixteen consultants, based across the UK and operating worldwide, who share the same vision and passion to help nurseries and childminders to be the best that they can be and ready to face an ever-changing industry and meet the challenges that it brings.
All of our team are either experienced Early Years inspectors or qualified Early Years teachers.
As a result we not only understand the most current structures and guidelines in place in the Early Years sector, but see both the very best examples of best practice and the most difficult issues facing providers on a daily basis. We can see your setting through the eyes of the regulator whilst at the same time working with one goal in mind – to be by your side to drive quality and excellence in your provision.
It has never been a harder time to survive in the childcare industry.
At Hopscotch we understand the financial constraints that are putting the sector under pressure. We work to ensure early years providers are sustainable whilst also creating a rich and stimulating environment for children.
Laura Hoyland – Founder & CEO
I have worked in the Early Years sector for the past fifteen years. In my time in the industry, I have managed day nurseries – including opening a new startup on day one and bringing it through to maturity – with a varied mix of parents and children with diverse needs.
Furthermore, I have also ensured the quality of care and education across a portfolio of 15 nurseries as a Quality Manager for a nationwide chain – before creating Hopscotch and providing both consultancy services to providers but also working extensively as a freelance inspector for Early Years regulators. I am also an Early Years Professional accreditation auditer.
Like you, I understand the need to provide high quality care and education for children in Early Years and am passionate about working with teams to promote best practice. With Hopscotch in the last year alone I have worked with over a dozen staff teams who have gained Outstanding judgements at their recent Ofsted inspections – and particularly enjoy building long-term relationships with providers to not only achieve the judgement they want but also to continue to support them to progress over the months and years that follow.
My philosophy is to be straightforward and honest with settings I work with, to quickly identify areas where we can make maximum impact and to work immediately to make swift progress. Because of my experience as a practitioner and operator of a setting I appreciate and understand the challenges you face both from the curriculum and regulations and the need to inspire and involve your staff teams to strive to maximise their potential. I’m approachable and open to everybody in a setting – from the owner to the newest trainee, and understand that everybody has a huge role to play if your setting is going to achieve the best grading and brightest future!
I have a BA(Hons) in Early Childhood Studies from Leeds University and also have Early Years Professional Status – the culmination of a decade of constant study in Early Years education.
I live in North Yorkshire with my husband and two children – and my nieces and nephews are keeping me on my toes as they go through the Early Years themselves!
We have been working with Hopscotch Consultancy since April 2012. We have found their services to be exceptional and the focus and attention to detail second to none. During this period we have had 14 Ofsted inspections the first being in September 2012 and all our grading have been Outstanding. Laura has a clear focus on identifying areas that need to be improved and enables each nursery to be clear on the actions that are needed to be implemented. Laura has also supported with staff development and training and the reviewing of processes within our organisation. We have found her services to really help us to identify how we can move forward and ensure we are always up-to-date with any changes within inspections.