The changing face of early childhood policy and practice in England over the past twenty years: an expert seminar

Over the past 20 years this country has made significant progress/strides towards meeting the articles laid out in the 1989 UNCRC although the rate of change has not always been constant. Whilst successive governments have introduced legislation for educational and curriculum reform, child protection and the training of early years professionals, the needs and the rights of children and young people have not always been prioritised in real terms. So, in the current political and economic climate in England, is it possible to maintain the services provided for young children and their families? This expert seminar brings together a panel of distinguished early years academics and professionals to debate how the nature of social and educational provision has changed over the past twenty years and to discuss how this has influenced the well-being and social mobility of our youngest citizens. Panel Members: Carol Aubrey, Emeritus Professor, University of Warwick Tony Bertram, Professor/ Director, Centre for Research in Early Childhood, Birmingham Pat Broadhead, Emeritus Professor, Leeds Metropolitan University Debbie Castle, Manager, Warwick University Nursery Jane Murray, Senior Lecturer, University of Northampton Chris Pascal, Professor/Director, Centre for Research in Early Childhood, Birmingham Tim Waller, Professor, Anglia Ruskin University Mary Wild, Senior Lecturer, Oxford Brookes University