Although the past few years have been extremely challenging for the early years sector as it emerges from Covid, few could have predicted the huge political and economic upheaval that has happened of late.

How do nursery businesses maintain and develop high-quality provision in the face of sky-rocketing costs of living, economic turbulence, a recruitment crisis and continued underfunding?

Resilient as ever, many nursery operators are finding ways to surmount the challenges and focus on the fundamentals that will ensure that they meet the needs of young children, families and staff.

This one day in-person event will be tackling all the big questions and issues that impact nursery businesses today.

As well as policy and the economy, we’ll examine the prospects for the childcare market, find out what Ofsted thinks early years providers should do, look at CPD priorities, and get everyone involved in a conversation about a 10-year vision for the sector. All that, plus a look at the vital themes of intergenerational care and sustainable development, adds up to an event not to be missed.

The conference will include:
• Keynote on early years education and childcare policy from Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP
• Ofsted early education lead Wendy Ratcliff with an update on early years inspection
• Focus on policy and public spending from Christine Farquharson from the Institute for Fiscal Studies
• Priorities for CPD with Paul Moore from Busy Bees Education and Training
• Take part in a new conversation for the early years with James Hempsall and Jan Dubiel
• Perspectives on the UK and international childcare market from Cairneagle’s Arun Kanwar and Grandir CEO Jean-Emmanuel Rodocanachi
• Expanding your business without compromising quality, with Jo Caswell and Kate Peach
• Denise Burke looks at the business and social benefits of co-locating nurseries and care home
• Advice on leadership for early years sustainable development from Cheryl Hadland.

The conference is designed for:
• Nursery group directors
• Nursery owners and proprietors
• Nursery and children’s centre managers
• Headteachers and EYFS co-ordinators
• Local authority early years heads
• Early years advisers
• Investors.