At the AAUEF's annual general meeting a year ago it emerged that members who were among the local authority staff transferring to Ofsted would no longer be able to hold committee positions within the organisation. At a special general meeting in London last November a number of options were considered, including dissolving the association, before a new National Executive Committee was appointed.
The new chair, Brenda Clayton, told members in a letter in March, 'Following the transfer of daycare provision to Ofsted it has become apparent there is some confusion as to whether Ofsted employees can be members of AAUEF. I can clearly state that they can continue to be AAUEF members and attend study days. However, they are no longer able to be executive committee members at a national or regional level.
'In light of the growth of support and development staff to carry out the retained functions within local authorities, AAUEF is writing to all Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships to publicise our organisation and the benefits of membership in terms of personal and professional development for those staff.'
The AAUEF held a conference and AGM in mid-May in Birmingham, chaired by Eva Lloyd, chief executive of the National Early Years Network, and offering workshops on play and developing an inclusion policy.
Members wishing to renew their annual membership this year can take advantage of a special rate of 20 rather than the usual 25. For more information, contact membership secretary Anne George on 01785 248 936.
