Meg Jones replies:
Taking a specialism into schools and nurseries is greeted with enthusiasm, as regular staff do not have expertise in every area. There are various approaches to be made. Naturally you need to be competent in your subject area. Look for short courses offered in the Nursery World courses and conferences page, and keep in touch with local early years groups and trainers. Once trained, offer some sessions to contacts in local schools and nurseries and put your ideas into practice. Develop an implementation plan, and contact your local authority's arts department to request an entry in their arts directory. Contact schools and nurseries directly to see if they are interested in booking your services. You might do a one-off session as part of the curriculum, form an after-school club where parents pay a small sum per week, or offer in-service training for staff. Schools and nurseries are good at networking, so word of you will soon spread.
* Meg Jones, NVQ assessor, Childcare and early years consultant following 40 years as a practioner, manager and trainer