When I first accidentally discovered the world of early years and childcare over three decades ago, I never imagined the depth of transformation, challenge, and joy this sector would offer.
From out-of-school clubs to national policy programmes, my journey has been shaped by the people, the children, and our mission of fairness.
Fairness has always been our moral compass, because every child deserves a fair start.That’s something often tricky to achieve in this landscape. Whether working with Traveller communities, in Sure Start, or leading national programmes like Achieving Two Year Olds, I’ve seen how early intervention can level the playing field. The least advantaged children deserve not just access, but quality, consistency, and equity.
We’ve had to evolve constantly. Policies shift, funding fluctuates, and societal needs grow more complex, these cause the sector to change, often at pace and with trepidation. Staying curious and open to learning has been essential.
No one achieves anything alone, and so collaboration is everything. I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of providers, all local authorities in England, and countless passionate colleagues and stakeholders. The best outcomes come when we listen, share, and build together in partnership with mutual respect.
Quality childcare isn’t just about pedagogy, it’s about business planning, workforce development, and long-term viability. You cannot have quality provision, if you don’t have provision, and so that needs all the building blocks to support each other.At Coram Hempsall’s, we’ve always sought to do our best and championed professionalisation and sustainability, helping providers not just survive but thrive.
Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident it must be intentional. It requires targeted recruitment, training, and support, especially for BAME staff, men in childcare, and SEND children. I’ve learned that diversity strengthens the sector and enriches every child’s experience and needs to be present to effect the change the achieve the outcomes we are seeking.
From childcare sufficiency assessments to national audits, data has been a powerful tool. It helps us understand gaps, measure impact, and advocate for resources. But behind every number is a story, and we must never lose sight of that.We don’t always need the data or the evidence if the lived experience and instincts of professionals in the sector know what is needed and why.
Whether it was the introduction of 30 hours free childcare or the challenges of COVID recovery, change has been a constant companion.Change attracts new energy; however, the unfortunate truth is that it sees many experienced people leave at the same time. Resilience and adaptability are not optional, they’re vital, as change is a constant, so we must do more to help everyone through it.
Children’s voices. Parents’ voices. Practitioners’ and educators’ voices. Policy makers must hear them all. I’ve spent much of my career in the pursuit of amplifying those voices, through consultancy, training, and editorial work, because they shape the future if policymakers are prepared to take their advice.
We’ve come a long way. From Sure Start to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, the sector has grown in ambition and reach. It’s important to pause, reflect, and celebrate the wins, big and small.At the heart of it all is purpose. The belief that every child deserves the best start in life. That belief has kept us all going through long days, tough decisions, and complex systems.
