Down To The Grassroots - National EYN

The National Early Years Network has its roots well and truly in the voluntary sector. Originally called the Voluntary Organisations Liaison Council for Under Fives (VOLCUF), it was set up in 1978 by Lady Plowden, well known for her report on primary education in the 1960s and as chairman of the Independent Broadcasting Authority. It wasn't until 1995 that VOLCUF changed its name to the National Early Years Network, and  Lady Plowden is its Life President.

Forty per cent of current members membership is mainly on a group basis are from the voluntary sector, the rest from private and statutory organisations. Among the organisations that join are playgroups, nursery schools, out-of-school clubs, Sure Start programmes, and Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs). Eva Lloyd, chief executive since 1998 and only the third the Network has had, says, 'There are, perhaps, more members in what has traditionally been the care sector than from nursery education. We represent those caring for children from birth, not just three- and four-year-olds and we've always been very much a grassroots organisation.'