Sophie Foster – Founding Director

B.A.(Hons), L.T.C.L., Dip. Suzuki Music Pedagogy, Dip. Early Childhood

Sophie established Jumping Beans in 1988 with Sports Psychologist, PE teacher and Olympic Athlete, Jerome Hartigan, with the vision of educating parents and caregivers to raise happy, healthy and self-confident children for the peaceful and sustainable future of our planet.

A founding member of the Brainwave Trust, Sophie has served on the committees of several other child advocacy groups including the Active Movement Advisory Group, The Infant Mental Health Association of Aotearoa and the NZ Suzuki Association. She is former chairperson and committee member of the Auckland branch of OMEP Aotearoa (World Organisation for Preschool Education) and is an active committee member of IPA (International Play Association) Aotearoa .

Sophie is an experienced speaker, workshop presenter and author in the early childhood sector. She wrote the internationally acclaimed Jumping Beans preschool picture books (David Bateman), and co-wrote the Jumping Beans flagship book for parents, Move Baby Move (Random House NZ), which is also available as an e-book under the title Parenting Tips. Sophie’s concept for a Jumping Beans preschool TV show is currently in development.

In her free time, Sophie enjoys spending time with family, running by the sea with her dog and competing in half marathons.

Sophie feels privileged to be working with such a dedicated and passionate Jumping Beans team and is rewarded daily by reports from parents whose relationships with their children, as well as their children’s physical ability and self-confidence, have been positively impacted by the Jumping Beans programme.