Polly Bolshaw

Senior Lecturer in Early Years

I am a Senior Lecturer in Early Years where I have been teaching on the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme since 2012. Prior to that I completed my MA Early Years (New Leaders in Early Years) and Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) at CCCU and worked as an Early Years Professional at a Sure Start Children's Centre. In 2014 I gained a PGCLT HE (Post Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education).

I have taught at CCCU since 2012 on programmes such as BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies, FD Professional Studies in Early Years, BA Early Years Leadership, FD and BA Early Childhood Education and Care, MA Early Childhood Education, and the Education Foundation Year. Currently I teach on the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies programme, with a particular interest in supporting undergraduate students to develop their understanding of research in early childhood.

My research interests are around what are appropriate pedagogies for young children, particularly in relation to their digital identities, issues around gender, and access to the outdoors and nature. I am also interested in how undergraduate ECS students develop their understanding of research in early childhood.

Research Projects

Using Wearable Technology to Explore Freedom with Guidance in Outdoor Nursery Environments. Researcher(s): Dr Karen Vincent, Dr Marianna Papadopoulou, Ms Polly Bolshaw. [Project]

I am a member of OMEP (The World Organisation for Early Childhood) UK. In a voluntary capacity I am also a primary school governor, a committee member of NCT Medway, a committee member of a local PTFA, and a leader at two stay and play groups for families with children aged up to five.

‘Tiny humans’ outdoors: Understanding the factors that mediate opportunities for babies and toddlers Kemp, N., Josephidou, J, Bolshaw, P., (16 Mar 2025): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
From weeds to tiny flowers: Rethinking the place of the youngest children outdoors Kemp, N., Josephidou, J., Bolshaw, P., (2023). Canterbury: Canterbury Christ Church University. [Research report]
Understanding the media in young children’s lives: An introduction to the key debates Bolshaw, P., Josephidou, J., (01 Sep 2022). Oxon: Routledge. [Book]
Where measurement stops: A review of systematic reviews exploring international research evidence on the impact of staff qualification levels in ECEC on the experiences of, and outcomes for, children and families. A TACTYC funded report. Josephidou, J., Rodriguez-Leon, L., Bennett, S., Bolshaw, P., Musgrave, J., Rix, J., (Dec 2021). [Research report]
Education for sustainability in early childhood education: sustainability transformation through collaboration Kemp, N., Bolshaw, P., (01 Jan 2020), Prioritizing Sustainability Education: A Comprehensive Approach. Abingdon: Routledge. [Book chapter]
Understanding gender and early childhood: an introduction to the key debates. Josephidou, J., Bolshaw, P., (14 Feb 2020). Oxon: Routledge. [Book]
Inclusive policy and practice O'Connor, S., Bolshaw, P., (Nov 2017), An Introduction to Early Childhood Studies. London: SAGE. [Book chapter]
Introducing research in early childhood Bolshaw, P., Josephidou, J., (Oct 2018). London: SAGE. [Book]
Exploring children's perceptions of the gendered nature of the early years workforce Bolshaw, P., Josephidou, J., O'Connor, S., 69th OMEP World Assembly and International Conference. [Conference paper]
Exploring the transformational impact of international study visits on early childhood studies students Josephidou, J., Bolshaw, P., Teacher Education Advancement Network TEAN conference. [Conference paper]
Exploring the transformational impact of international study visits on early childhood studies students Bolshaw, P., Josephidou, J., 69th OMEP World Assembly and International Conference. [Conference paper]
Learning to be literate Bolshaw, P., (15 Dec 2016), Exploring Children’s Learning 3-11. Oxon: Routledge. [Book chapter]
New leaders in early years: making a difference for children in England Meehan, C., Bolshaw, P., Hadfield, E., (12 May 2017): Taylor & Francis. [Journal article]
Where shall we play? How shall we play? Josephidou, J., Bolshaw, P., Men in the Early Years Conference. [Conference paper]
Exploring male early childhood studies students’ perceptions of working with young children in terms of a viable career choice Josephidou, J., Bolshaw, P., O'Connor, S., OMEP European Conference 2016. [Conference paper]
Whole Earth? Developing an early childhood education response Bolshaw, P., Kemp, N., Sustainability in Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges. [Conference paper]
Whole Earth? Developing an early childhood education response Kemp, N., Bolshaw, P., Symposium on Sustainable Development Research at Universities in the UK. [Conference paper]
Whole Earth?: Developing an early childhood education response Kemp, N., Bolshaw, P., OMEP European Conference 2016. [Conference paper]
Developing the professional identity of vocationally trained students in university - experiences with action research on the Foundation Degree 'Professional Studies in Early Years' Bolshaw, P., (25 Nov 2015), Angewandte Kindheitswissenschaften: Eine Einführung in das Paradigma, Applied Childhood Studies: An Introduction to the Paradigm. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. [Book chapter]
New leaders in early years: Making a difference for children in England Meehan, C., Bolshaw, P., Hadfield, E., 67th World Assembly and Conference of the World Organisation for Early Childhood Education. [Conference paper]
New leaders in early years (NLEY): making a difference for children in England Meehan, C., Bolshaw, P., At the Crossroads: New Directions in Teacher Education. [Conference paper]

People search

Contact me

polly.bolshaw@canterbury.ac.uk

01227924559

Rowan Williams Court (RWs18), Medway and Rowan Williams Court (RWs18), Medway

Based in

Faculty of Arts Humanities and Education

School of Humanities and Educational Studies

Ms Polly Bolshaw

Research Projects

Contact me

Based in