Be a Champion -

Shout for Change!

All children deserve ...
A call for your voice
We know that there is an alarming mismatch between what we know is best for children as learner, and what is promoted by current educational policies. 

With colleagues in the Early Years Coalition, we are engaged in writing a framework of pedagogic principles. To do this effectively, we must also explain the thinking behind our recommendations. We need to be clear about not just WHAT children need, but WHY.  

Just as importantly, we need to identify the obstacles in our way. So, let's all look round in anger and then look forward in hope, drawing on what we already know, and have known about children’s learning, for a very long time. For example:

‘The thirst for understanding springs from the child’s deepest emotional needs . . . it is a veritable passion.’           Susan Isaacs, (1932) The Children We Teach

We invite you all, whatever part you play in early childhood education, to contribute your thoughts and your grave concerns. Please reflect on and answer the questions below using vivid, incisive and life-like snapshots of children. We will collate and analyse your responses and prepare a frank, outspoken call for change in education policy today.


In optimism, Robin Duckett, Diane Rich, Gillian Reece-Jones,  Mary Jane Drummond
Take some time to consider what are the most damaging aspects of today’s care and early years settings for children as learners? What makes you angry? Anxious? Despairing?
Drawing on both your positive and negative experiences in working with children, what have you learned, over the years, about the issues you raise? (If you are stuck for an answer, try asking the children.)
What gives you hope and faith in the possibility of doing better?
When we collect and have made an edit of the contributions, we will first check back with all contributors. It will be helpful though at this stage if you can indicate whether you prefer to be anonymous or are happy to have your name next to a comment.
The name of your school or centre
a guard against spam and malware submissions
7 + 5 =

Thank you for your valuable contributions; we'll keep you in touch with the progress of the publication and it's influence.

If you know of other carers/educators/parents/organisations whose views will help to inform our work please draw their attention to this 2024 survey.