Editor’s view - Time for a Rethink

There’s a focus on new ways of doing things in this issue of Nursery World, with many of us rethinking what we do and why we do it after a year of the pandemic and its consequences in which life has altered for all of us.

We have a special focus on the future of early childhood services (pp14-16), starting with Dr Eunice Lumsden looking at our segregated rather than holistic approach to early childhood and calling for anti-oppressive practice to create new narratives, understanding and environments.

Then, professors Claire Cameron and Peter Moss argue that early childhood education and care services in England are not fit for purpose and that a thorough root-and-branch review is needed. They are very keen to hear what readers think of their proposal, so take a look and respond.

On a more day-to-day level, we examine how some early years settings have been able to improve relations with parents during lockdowns, through videos, phone calls and social media - methods that they are likely to adopt on a long-term basis (pp36-37).

And one small nursery group tells us how it has reduced its environmental impact greatly by switching to a plant-based menu (pp38-39).

RUTH THOMSON

Many of you will know or know of Nursery World Deputy Editor Ruth Thomson, who has been with the magazine for more than two decades and started a well-earned retirement last week. Ruth’s passion for early years education and childcare, her unwavering commitment to promoting best practice and her relentlessly high standards in everything she does will be sorely missed by the Nursery World team and the whole early years sector.