Maria’s story – how early years education shapes a lifetime of opportunity
Early Years is where strong foundations are built — and where lasting change can begin.
Maria, Senior Leader at One Degree Academy in London, has always been drawn to teaching – driven by a belief in the power of education to change lives. Here, she shares how early intervention can transform outcomes for young pupils and why building strong foundations from the start is key.
I loved school and learning as a child, and I had several early opportunities to work with and support young people. What ultimately drew me to train to teach with Teach First was its mission and vision, which strongly resonated with me.
Growing up, I was fortunate to attend a high-quality local school, and I saw first-hand how access to excellent education can open doors. However, I am very aware that not all children have this opportunity. I wanted to contribute to addressing this inequality and make a meaningful difference.
Choosing Early Years for lasting impact
Initially, I considered teaching maths at secondary level, as this is an area of significant need. However, through further reflection and research, I came to understand the critical importance of early intervention.
I recognised that Early Years and Primary education is where I could have the greatest long-term impact.
I am currently a Senior Leader at One Degree Academy, an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted-rated primary school in North London. The school was looking for teachers to help build something from the ground up, which was an incredibly exciting opportunity. When I joined as a class teacher, there were fewer than 60 pupils; we now have almost 500. It has been hugely rewarding to contribute to the growth and success of the school.
Why Early Years matters
The importance of Early Years education is clear both in research and in practice. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds often begin school with significantly lower starting points, and without strong early foundations, these gaps can widen over time.
Early intervention is crucial.
It is far easier to build secure understanding from the outset than to address misconceptions later.
It is vital that we recognise and celebrate the skill, dedication, and impact of those working in Early Years, and ensure they are supported to deliver the high-quality education that young children deserve.
Early Years challenges
The Early Years Foundation Stage is exactly that—a foundation—and getting it right has a lasting impact on children’s outcomes. We know that around 90% of brain development occurs in the early years, making this a critical period for learning and development. This highlights the importance of equipping staff with the skills and knowledge to provide high quality support.
However, the sector faces ongoing challenges, including funding pressures, recruitment and retention issues, and a persistent narrative that underestimates the complexity of the work by framing it as “just play.”
In reality, play is a powerful and essential mechanism for learning, but it requires significant expertise to deliver effectively.
One of the key challenges I experienced was the divide between Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the wider education sector. EYFS is often treated as distinct and, while it is a unique phase, this can make it more difficult to access tailored support.
The importance of the right support
Within my network, many aspirational leaders openly identified EYFS as a gap in their own expertise. As a result, it was more challenging to build strong, EYFS-specific networks after completing the programme. I was fortunate to have a strong peer group and later to work in a school led by a Teach First ambassador, which provided valuable support.
Teach First appealed to me not only because of its mission, but also because of its strong focus on leadership development and its ambassador network. I have always been ambitious, and I valued the opportunity to develop as both a teacher and a leader from the outset.
The Teach First ambassador network has continued to play an important role in my development. It has provided ongoing support, inspiration, and opportunities to seek advice from others as I have progressed in my career.
Shape futures from the very beginning
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