A Manifesto for Early Childhood

Aaron Bradbury is Principal Lecturer for Early Childhood Studies, Childhood, Early Years Apprenticeships and Higher Technical Qualifications in Early Years at Nottingham Trent University. Research Interests: Widening participation (access for all) with links to apprenticeship pedagogy, Early Years and Education. Ruth Swailes has almost 30 years’ experience in primary education, over 20 of them in senior leadership roles including primary headship. Ruth has worked as a School Improvement Advisor, Ofsted inspector, Early Years consultant and moderator in several Local Authorities, she has advised on DFE accredited phonics schemes and is the lead author, curriculum consultant and trainer on the Oxford University Press International Early Years curriculum. She has recently written their curriculum for 2-3-year-olds.Philippa Thompson is Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University.  Philippa began her career as an early years teacher, progressing to Head of Nursery/Foundation Stage and Assistant Head Teacher roles and an Early Years Advisory/ Community Teacher for Sheffield City Council. She is co-chair of the ECSDN which advocates for graduates in the workforce alongside lobbying for better pay and conditions in the early childhood workforce.

• Early Childhood policyA workforce for the Early Childhood sectorSocial contexts of Early ChildhoodKeeping children safe in a changing worldInclusive practice in Early ChildhoodChildrens’ rights and participationParticipatory approaches to partnership with parentsThe role of health services in Early ChildhoodHolistic child health and wellbeingA new vision for schoolEarly Childhood curriculum 0-8yrsThe digital child 0-8yrsGlobal dynamics and Early ChildhoodSustainability and Early Childhood