Ute Ward worked in a pre-school, Sure Start local programme, and children's centre before becoming a Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. She leads the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and teaches on the MA Education. Her research interests focus on parent-practitioner relationships which is reflected in her doctoral research exploring parents' views and expectations of their children's early childhood practitioners.

Bob Perry is recently retired after 45 years in higher education. He is Emeritus Professor in the School of Education at Charles Sturt University, Australia, and Director of Peridot Education Pty Ltd. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Mälardalen University, Sweden, in recognition of his body of research.