Despite a rather sparse stall, Aspect’s Nursery World Show experience was a good one! Anne-Marie McKay, Aspect’s organiser and learning guru led the way with open sessions on “Rights and Responsibilities at Work”. Meanwhile Helen Willis ran sessions for EYPs and other professionals on how we fight for professionalism throughout early years, and fight against the appalling pay and conditions that still render early years the poor relation and undermine so much of the other good work that is happening all day every day.
The two days were rendered extra challenging and exciting by the non-arrival of much of our material. (For some reason the boxes of magazines, application forms, and general useful “stuff” seem to have decided they would rather spend the weekend driving around London in a courier’s van!) However, we had- thankfully – brought some literature with us on trains and in taxis, and indeed we gave away pretty well all that we had. Our somewhat minimalist stall became even more minimalist as we went along!
Perhaps the most positive element of all was seeing first hand how much respect and support Aspect now has among leaders in early years – both Early Years Professionals and all their colleagues in related fields. The sessions on professionalism in early years showed again just how strong the demands among early years leaders are, calling for proper professional development and structured career paths, and for early years workers to become the respected and integral part of the children’s workforce they should be.
