About Marlis
About Marlis
With over 21 years of experience in the early years sector, Marlis is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of language, storytelling, and play in children's development.
Marlis holds a degree in Children's Development and Learning and is a qualified Early Years Teacher. She has spent her career working at the heart of early years education — most recently as the manager of an Ofsted Outstanding-rated preschool — and has served as a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) within early years settings, giving her deep, practical expertise in supporting children with additional needs.
Marlis is a committed advocate for trauma-informed practice in early years settings, understanding how adverse experiences in a child's life shape their behaviour, development, and ability to connect. She believes passionately in the power of love and nurture as the foundation of quality early years provision — not just good practice on paper, but a genuine ethos that every child in every setting deserves to feel safe, seen, and valued.
As a parent of a neurodivergent child herself, Marlis brings something that goes beyond professional knowledge: she understands from the inside what it feels like to navigate a system that isn't always easy to understand, to fight for the right support, and to celebrate a child whose brain works differently. That lived experience sits at the heart of her work with families and makes her a trusted, compassionate voice for parents who feel they're facing it alone.
The Social Gift of Language was born from a simple but powerful belief: that the stories we share with children don't just entertain — they build connection, develop language, spark imagination, and lay the foundations for a lifelong love of reading.
Marlis works with early years settings, preschools, nurseries, and local authority teams to embed storytelling, language-rich practice, and nurturing, trauma-informed approaches into everyday routines. She also supports parents directly — helping them navigate the early years system, understand their child's development, and advocate confidently for their children, particularly those with SEND or neurodivergent needs.
Professional Background
- Qualified Early Years Teacher
- Degree in Children's Development and Learning
- SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) in early years settings
- Manager, Ofsted Outstanding-rated preschool
- Associate, Jigsaw Early Years Training
- Director, Linden Learning
- Published contributor to early years literature, including contributions on play, school readiness, and case studies to various early years books
- Featured on The Voice of Early Childhood Podcast and the Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy Podcast
- 21+ years of experience in the early years sector
Whether you're a practitioner looking to deepen your provision, a local authority seeking expert training, or a parent who needs a knowledgeable, experienced friend in your corner — Marlis brings warmth, expertise, and over two decades of real-world experience to every conversation.