Anneka Russell is a social entrepreneur, early childhood education specialist, and innovator committed to equitable, sustainable learning environments. As Founder & Director of Jeka Play CIC & Enjoy EY, she brings over two decades of experience as a teacher, Early years OFSTED inspector, local authority adviser, and national consultant. She partners with educational settings, communities, and policymakers across the UK to transform physical environments into inclusive, high-quality “third teachers” that support children’s development while being cost-conscious and environmentally minded.
Anneka is also the inventor of the Patented JEKA Pack n Play shelf, a modular, nursery furniture solution, designed to reduce setup time, maximise flexibility, and enable entrepreneurs and small childcare businesses to operate from spaces of various type and size. This innovation reflects her mission to combine design, pedagogy, and sustainability to expand access to early education, especially in underserved communities.
Through Jeka Play CIC, she leads community-based programmes (such as stay-and-play sessions Parent workshops and Crèche models) that lower barriers for families, promote social inclusion, and create systems of support rooted in Caribbean diaspora values.
Her work embodies sustainable investment in children, community capital, and education equity.
