Cat Baker

Cat has built her career in early years education, combining hands-on nursery experience with curriculum leadership and senior management across the Paint Pots group.

After completing her Level 3 Early Years qualification at college, Cat went on to study Childhood Studies at university and achieved Early Years Teacher Status in 2010. She spent several years managing a Paint Pots nursery before moving into a group-wide Curriculum Lead role, supporting teams to develop high-quality early years practice across multiple settings.

Today, Cat is Group Manager at Paint Pots, helping to oversee our nurseries and pre-schools across Southampton and Hampshire. Her experience spans nursery management, curriculum development, staff leadership and the day-to-day realities of delivering high-quality early education and care.

Cat is currently working towards a Level 7 qualification in Early Years Senior Leadership, continuing to develop her expertise in leadership and early years provision.

She is also a mum of two, giving her the useful perspective of experiencing early years both professionally and as a parent.

Areas of expertise:
Early years education | Child development | Early years curriculum | Nursery leadership | Early years practice | Supporting families | Staff development