Major early years conference in Nottingham

Themes including the recruitment and retention of early years staff, listening and talking to children and supporting young children's learning are on the agenda of a major early years conference in Nottingham on 6 and 7 September. Organised by the National Children's Bureau in association with the Council for Awards in Childcare and Education and NES Arnold, the two-day conference will be opened by Baroness Helena Kennedy and closed by Maggie Smith, director of Ofsted's Early Years Directorate. Other speakers include Lesley Staggs from the DfES early years and childcare unit, on the guidance for the Foundation Stage, and Iram Siraj-Blatchford from the University of London, presenting evidence from the Effective Provision of Pre-school Education (EPPE) project. Places at the conference cost 295 plus VAT residential and 215 plus VAT non-residential. To book a place contact Sue Smith on 01530 418 224. Even though the number of out-of-school clubs has grown from 3,500 in 1997 to more than 7,000 today, there are only enough places for six per cent of children.