Reflecting and looking forward by Sarah Neville

21st December 2017

I was reading through some of my old blogs for 2017 over the weekend and reflecting on the year gone by… which inevitably leads to me thinking about 2018 and the issues that we might be facing in the new year.

In turn my tone in the blogs for 2017 has been reassuring and informative, supportive and cross. I have encouraged colleagues to share their views with About Early Years and offered support to colleagues struggling to cope with the 30 hours funding and tax free childcare – ongoing issues and I am sure there will be more to come from both these subjects in 2018.

The mood of the early years sector has certainly been changeable over the year – and, for many colleagues, 2017 has meant the end of their childminding journey as they have moved on to pastures new, leaving the confusion and frustration of early years behind. I wish those colleagues who have left the profession the very best.

For those of us who are battling on with ever-changing requirements and frameworks, I will continue to write what I hope are supportive blogs for Childcare Expo to share my thoughts with you throughout 2018. We are already aware of the coming changes to the learning and development requirements of the EYFS which will need to be unpicked… and I am sure there will be more happening to challenge us.

Wishing you all a restful holiday and a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Sarah Neville.