Editor's view - Getting down to business

We were delighted to kick off the day with childcare and education minister Sam Gyimah, and, stepping in just a few days into her new role, shadow minister for children and families Alison McGovern. There were plenty of audience questions on funding and the role of schools and their expertise.

Resolution Foundation deputy chief executive Vidhya Alakeson gave a really clear explanation of what is happening in the economy and how it will affect the sector; while Bright Horizons boss Carole Edmond had sound advice on buying and selling nurseries.

The speech from Neil Leitch, chief exec of Pre-school Learning Alliance, was hotly anticipated given the press coverage PLA's research into free places funding had attracted that day - and it was very warmly received too.

And to continue the controversial stance of the Summit, next came a debate on schools and nursery provision, with ARK Schools' Daniel Upfield and Lucy Cooper giving the academies view, and our panel of Mr Leitch, NDNA's Stella Ziolkowski and Early Education's Beatrice Merrick joining in.

The pace didn't slacken after lunch, with Ofsted early years director Nick Hudson continuing his drive to communicate with the sector, Professor Chris Pascal eloquent on quality, and Charlie Taylor of NCTL expounding the benefits of Early Years Teachers.

Then with a final session on being a great workplace from Sarah Rotundo and a very lively tour round social media from Kate Tyler, the Summit was over.

So much to ponder, but our title 'Opportunities and Challenges' sums it up!