Local authorities and service providers now have a legal duty to consult with children. All well and good - the benefits of children and young people being involved in their provision are surely unquestionable. Yet consultation is not a simple process, especially with very young children.
Despite some very good work done in this area, you sense that too much of what happens is tokenistic, little more sophisticated than 'we asked them what they wanted' or with photos that are no more than pretty pictures.
This week's feature ('A matter of opinion,' pages 18-20) by Dr Neil de Reybekill and Lynn Beckett takes a rigorous look at consultation and gives essential advice for everyone aiming for children's true participation.
- Eyfs event heads north
The response to Nursery World's Early Years Foundation Stage conferences has been fantastic - February's event in Birmingham was a sell-out, there are just a few places left for the London conference this month, and we're now heading for Sheffield on June 12 to give the early years community in the north a convenient location to attend.
Senior representatives from National Strategies, Ofsted, local authorities and early years settings will be looking at implementation of the new framework, new inspection arrangements, smooth transitions, and involving parents. There will be case studies of how the EYFS is being put into place, and plenty of chance to debate and discuss progress.
Special rates are available for those booking tickets before 1 May, so go to www.eyfsconferencenorth.com to secure your place.
