The group, which comprises more than 200 members, campaigns for the preservation of nursery education, wanting all staff to be qualified in the Foundation Stage and any provider of nursery education to have a qualified teacher.
Chair of NCrNE Nikki Mellor said, 'We're aware that people are concerned because so many nursery schools are closing. Nursery schools are so important - they are our universities, where people perfect their subject.
The more nursery schools we lose, the more experience we lose in the workforce.'
Early years consultant Margaret Edgington, vice president of NCrNE, added, 'We're trying to get nursery education defined. We don't believe that anything should be regarded as nursery education unless it has a qualified teacher and teaching assistant. Playgroups, pre-schools and daycare are all calling themselves nursery education sites now.'
To attend the meeting or for further information visit www.ncne.co.uk.
