Dorothy McMillan was, until recently, a senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Stranmillis University College, Belfast, teaching on the PGCE (Early Years), BA and MA in Early Childhood Studies degree programmes. She has wide experience of working with children, as a former primary school teacher, nursery school principal and playgroup leader, and has also been involved in setting up and running parent and toddler groups. Her doctoral thesis centred on the conceptual notion of ‘educare’ in preschool settings and its implications for early years training. Her research interests are focused on training and early years professionalism issues, including management and leadership. Dorothy recently moved to live in The Netherlands where she has joined the staff team at the International Baptist Theological Study Centre in Amsterdam.