Nursery World - Why we must speak up

As Prime Minister David Cameron reshuffled his Cabinet recently,
many of us waited to learn who would be the minister responsible for
children.

What new policies might be championed and what would incoming ministers know about the needs of young children, their families, and early years practitioners? One thing is certain: though politicians may come and go, the needs of young children don't change, and quality early childhood education and care is as crucial now as ever. Let me tell you about three things that have worried me recently.

I was at a conference recently when a young early years practitioner came to speak with me. She told me how she loved learning more about young children's learning, and the more she learned the more frustrated she felt about her own role and the limiting factors in her setting that meant she was not able to work with children in the way she wanted to. She worked long hours for a low wage. She had paid the fee for the conference herself and was able to attend because it was on a Saturday.

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