The Shadow Education Secretary will analyse the Government’s current and proposed early years education and childcare policies and outline the Labour Party’s plans to support parents and the sector.

Analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies of early years spending and policy, plus the wider landscape of public finances.

Ofsted is putting a strong focus on early years in its five-year strategy. What does this mean for nursery businesses and how is early years provision faring as we emerge from Covid?

Your chance to network and view our exhibition of leading early years suppliers

• What should be the priorities for CPD at a time when training can take a back seat to other operational challenges?

• Where do early years staff most need to boost their skills?

• How can you offer effective, high-quality CPD in ways that fit with your business operation and staff’s professional and personal lives?

• How the right CPD can support recruitment and retention of staff.

Have your say as James Hempsall and Jan Dubiel hold an interactive session to consider a 10-year vision for early years education and childcare – what would good look like and what actions would be useful to get us there? James and Jan will explain the hey! mission and set the Summit conversation into context, asking our audience to play their part.

Good food and networking

Part 1: Arun Kanwar analyses the UK nursery M&A market – what are the prospects for buyers and sellers in turbulent times?
Part 2: Jean-Emmanuel Rodocanachi gives an international perspective from Grandir, which operates more than 1,000 centres in Europe and the USA, and has acquired UK brands including Kiddi Caru, Three Little Birds and Magic Nurseries.

Recent years have seen increasing interaction between young and older people, particularly through nurseries and care homes. As we recover from Covid, more and more providers are keen to promote meaningful mixing, including through the co-location of care homes and nurseries. Denise Burke will explore different models of intergenerational care and explain the business and social benefits. Her presentation will include a case study video from Olea Care where Fernbees nursery is co-located with Fernlea care home in Stockport.

Your chance to network and view our exhibition of leading early years suppliers

… or do they just secure a positive inspection outcome? Kate Peach and Jo Caswell explore quality for all nurseries in this energising session using case studies to highlight some fantastic strategies that have worked well, incorporating thoughts on curriculum, pedagogy and the environment.

Cheryl Hadland, who has led the way in promoting sustainable development for nursery businesses, advises on:
• Frameworks for sustainability for the PVI sector
• How to work out your own carbon footprint
• Reducing our carbon footprint to NetZero - ourselves
• Improving our financial and social sustainability – ourselves
• Collaboration and sharing best practice with each other and politicians for a better world.