Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) plays a crucial role in child development, now also supporting children born during COVID-19 as they develop through the early years and transition to primary school. The sector does this while facing significant challenges stemming from a range of changes to early years entitlements and family work patterns, alongside crises in funding and recruitment.

Researchers in developmental psychology, education, linguistics, and related fields collaborate with practitioners and policymakers to highlight the importance of ECEC before, during, and after the pandemic, to address challenges, and to support providers in lobbying for change.

This exploratory, interdisciplinary workshop brings together a small and diverse group of academic researchers and practitioners in ECEC and child development to identify intersecting research priorities. Through network-building and project scoping, we will determine how we can make the most effective evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice, and support the sector in meeting the evolving needs of young children and their families within our changing social, political, and economic context.

The workshop will include talks and discussions from multiple perspectives and areas of expertise. Workshop invitees and speakers will span job types and career stages from research and practice. Please note that this workshop is by-invite only. 

The full schedule and speakers can be found on the Programme tab.

Local organisers: Prof Catherine Davies and Dr Cecilia Zuniga-Montanez.

Date and Location:

The workshop will be an in-person event on Wednesday 8th of November from 10 am to 4 pm (with coffee from 9:45 am) at the following address:

Glass Studio **

School of Design

Clothworkers Building Central

University of Leeds

Leeds

LS2 9JT

**Please note that the Glass studio used to be called Grass studio, so some signs at the university may still say Grass Studio. 

How to get here - additional information:

The School of Design is a 5-minute walk from the main university entrance (Parkinson Steps). You can find a campus map here. The School of Design/Clothworkers Building Central is reference 34 on the printable pdf. If using Google Maps, you can look for "Clothworkers Building Central"

The Glass Studio is located at the School of Design on the first floor, accessible by stairs or lift. **Please note that the Glass studio used to be called Grass studio, so some signs at the university may still say Grass Studio.

To access the Glass Studio:

·         Enter School of Design, Clothworkers Building Central.

·         Turn right towards reception (who can also help direct you to the Glass studio).

·         Turn right again before reception and take the grey double doors up the stairs to the first floor.

·         Enter the Student Common Room (1.60b) and from there turn right into the Glass Studio (studio 9; room 1.61).

Lifts are signposted left from the main entrance.

For more information on how to get to the University of Leeds by train, bus, car or bike click here. Please note that parking spaces at the university are extremely limited. As a campus on the edge of the city, we are within easy reach of a number of city centre car parks. The Visit Leeds website has a list of car parks in the city centre that you can also use.