New membership body to ‘raise the status’ of the workforce
Nicole Weinstein
Friday, June 7, 2024
The ‘vision and purpose’ of the National Day Nursery Association’s (NDNA) flagship Institute of Early Years Education was unveiled today (7 June) at the NDNA’s annual conference in Coventry.
Interim director of the Institute, Dr Sara Bonetti, spoke to delegates about the ‘next phase’ in the new membership body’s development, details of which were first announced last October.
She said, ‘It’s incredibly exciting to be leading the direction of the Institute which is a one-stop-shop for everyone working in the sector, creating a sense of community.’
The new body will have ‘clear signposting’ to sector resources; support for career development and an ‘amazing offer for health and wellbeing, which is so badly needed’, Bonetti said.
Research carried out by NDNA confirmed that people working in early education and care find it difficult to gain CPD and also to collate it in a meaningful way.
Having sufficient time is often an issue, so the Institute will include practical CPD, which can be completed in bite-sized chunks.
Those working within the early years sector also reported challenges connecting with peers across all areas of the sector. To overcome this, the Institute will bring together a wider community of professionals who can support one another with the challenges and opportunities presented on a daily basis.
'We want to create an Institute which gives a sense of belonging.'
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA, said, ‘Sara and everyone at NDNA and the Institute are passionate about raising the status of all those who educate and support our youngest children.
‘Lots of people have already signed up for information since we introduced the Institute last year. This launch will be the culmination of many years of research and investment in responding to something the sector has desperately wanted.'
Bonetti commented, ‘We have listened to what practitioners have told us they needed and wanted. We want to create an Institute which gives a sense of belonging. Our vision aims to give them a place where they can engage with people who work in the sector.’
A video has been produced to support the official launch of the Institute, which will take place in August 2024.
- Join the Institute’s dedicated social media accounts, launched today (7 June) to get regular updates.
- Find out more here: https://ioeye-comingsoon.org.uk/
