Advocating for Early Years: Representing TACTYC at the House of Lords

Recently, I had the honour of being invited to the House of Lords to represent TACTYC and present our poster of recommendations, alongside my fellow Trustee’s Rod and Joelle, for the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) workforce. This event, titled Education: Insights from Practice for Policy, was expertly arranged by Dr. Viki Veale and her team, and it was a truly valuable experience in terms of both knowledge exchange and advocacy.

As an early years educator, I’ve always believed in the importance of advocating for the sector, and this event provided an exceptional platform to do so. It was an incredible opportunity to engage with a wide range of professionals who share the same passion for high-quality early childhood education, as well as those in higher education and other fields too, in a truly remarkable location.

The event brought together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, all of whom are committed to ensuring that their voices are heard and the ECEC workforce – and education as a whole, is well-supported and equipped to meet the challenges of our sector. This merging of minds created a space for robust discussions and exchanges that highlighted the need for more focused attention, funding, celebration and support for Education and particularly the early years workforce.

The core of the event and most valuable part for me personally, was the exchange of knowledge with likeminded people—practical insights from the field and research-based evidence that could inform policy. These conversations were a rich source of inspiration and reinforced the importance of collaboration within our sector.  It really created an opportunity to enable us to come ‘TOGETHER’ and show just how committed we are to young children and education, as our name TACTYC states.

We were able to meet with and have thought provoking conversations with people at all different stages of the education journey. The experience deepened my understanding of the interconnections between different educational settings and highlighted how much more we can achieve through collective advocacy. In our efforts to strengthen the early years workforce, we are not just improving the lives of children and educators, but we are contributing to a broader movement for a more inclusive, equitable, and educated society. The event reinforced the importance of continuing these conversations and pushing for policy changes that prioritise education in all areas, from early years to adult learning, and even within the criminal justice system.

The enthusiasm and commitment to improving early years education were unmistakable, and I left the event feeling reinvigorated and even more passionate than ever about our shared mission. The exchange of ideas among such a diverse group of professionals gave me fresh perspectives and reminded me of the power of collective action in driving change.

Presenting our poster of recommendations felt like a small yet significant step towards raising awareness of the importance of professional development at all stages of careers and the need to invest in our sector, whilst celebrating our specialist knowledge base which underpins good practice as well as the need for awareness to promote and celebrate diversity too.

The poster, which highlighted our key recommendations to inform policy makers, was a central feature in our effort to advocate for change. It was designed not just to inform but also to challenge those present to reflect on the gaps in policy and practice and to consider the long-term impact of early years education on society.

Advocacy played a central role in the event, not just in terms of presenting research but also in using our voices to highlight the importance of ECEC to the broader educational landscape. Too often, the work of early years educators is overlooked or undervalued, despite its crucial role in shaping the future of children and society as a whole. Through conversations with policymakers, researchers, and fellow practitioners, I felt a deep sense of solidarity and a shared commitment to advocating for change that will benefit both the workforce and the children we serve.

In conclusion, it was a truly enriching experience to participate in such a dynamic and wide-ranging discussion. Meeting like-minded, passionate individuals who are all working to improve education in various ways was inspiring, and it was an honour to be part of this important conversation and representing TACTYC. The knowledge shared and the advocacy efforts made throughout the day will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on my own work, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing dialogue and ensure our voices are heard. Thank you again to Dr. Viki Veale and all involved in organising this impactful event.

Hannah Foster