Tributes paid to 'inspiring' trainer, consultant and writer Helen Bromley

Helen was known across the sector as a superb trainer, consultant and writer, with a passion for nursery education and a deep knowledge and understanding of early learning. Her speciality was literacy, but her work spanned the Early Years Foundation Stage, from maths to small-world play.

Both in person and in print, Helen was thought-provoking and inspiring, with the rare ability of making theory ‘visible’, accessible and practical for others.

For Nursery World, her ‘Let’s explore...’ articles were always full of creative ideas, while her series on observation, assessment and planning is still accessed regularly from the archive.

‘Children’s interests, playful learning and sound pedagogy were at the heart of everything she did,’ said owner of Yellow Door, Carole Mills, who worked with Helen on developing inspiring resources for nursery-aged children.

Comments on Facebook pay tribute to her ‘wonderful, warm and witty’ personality and her ‘awe-inspiring and inspirational’ presence as an educator.

Early years consultant and friend Jane Bunting said, ‘It is not possible to over-stress the impact that Helen had on the practitioners and teachers who flocked to hear and take part in her training. She worked tirelessly to get settings to put children at the centre of the learning and to promote rich and playful experiences and opportunities that made sense to young children. She was an uncompromising champion of play.’

On Facebook, early years adviser Janette Smith wrote, ‘For those of you who have attended any of Helen’s courses, I urge you to continue her fight to give all young children a quality, play-based early education with as many opportunities and experiences, so that they can all become fantastic writers, authors, scientists, artists.’

Helen leaves a husband and daughter.