CYP Now - NCB Now: Early years event promotes belonging

Inclusion is a clear priority in the early years sector, but it can be a difficult issue for practitioners and managers to grasp. A conference held by NCB on 23 February gave early years professionals an opportunity to reflect on current practices and recognise their role as agents of social change.

Participation and Belonging, which took place in London, was the latestin a series of events across the country.

"Many practitioners feel they need to be experts on equality andinclusion and that can be inhibiting," commented Sue Owen, director ofNCB's Early Childhood Unit, who chaired the event. "In fact, they candevelop good practice based on their own observation.

"If we want to create a society that is at ease with itself, we need tostart with early childhood. That is why early years professionals haveboth the responsibility and the challenge of encouraging children togrow up without discrimination." Conference delegates also had thechance to visit an exhibition of resources from partner organisationsincluding the Council for Disabled Children, the Pre-School LearningAlliance and the National Childminding Association.

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