Our England event provides you with the latest sector updates and support in policy and practice from the experts.
And best of all? It’s free to members.
When: 26 March 2025, 4-6pm
Where: Virtual
Price: FREE to NDNA members (£50 for non-members)
Purnima Tanuku CBE, NDNA
Purnima Tanuku CBE will give an update on the state of the sector.
More about Purnima:
Purnima has developed NDNA into the Voice of the Sector, the strongest and biggest representative organisation for early years across the UK. Purnima represents the sector to Government Ministers, parliamentarians, civil servants and local authorities.
She regularly appears on national television, radio, online and print media sharing the views of our nursery members, raising public awareness and lobbying Government for the support nurseries need to deliver high quality care and education for their children.
Purnima has a wealth of experience at senior executive level working with public, private and charitable organisations. In 2025 Purnima was awarded CBE for services to Early Years Education.
Dan Blenkley, Early Years Qualifications Policy Lead, DfE
We’re delighted to be joined by The Department for Education (DfE). Dan Blenkley, Early Years Qualifications Policy Lead, will give a high level overview on the recent qualification announcements
More about Dan:
Previously a primary school teacher, Dan has worked in the DfE for six years, three of which have been spent working on early years workforce and qualifications policy.
Olivia McNeill, Early Years Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Senior Policy Advisor, DfE
We’re delighted to be joined by The Department for Education. Olivia McNeill, Early Years Safeguarding, Health and Wellbeing Senior Policy Advisor, will discuss upcoming safeguarding changes.
More about Olivia:
Olivia has worked on early years policy at DfE for over three years and recently led on the Early Years Foundation Stage safeguarding consultation.
Wendy Ratcliff, Ofsted
Join Caroline and Wendy to find out more about Ofsted’s proposals on how to make inspection look and feel different, while continuing to encourage and support early years providers to raise standards. They’ll explain how you can have your say through Ofsted’s online consultation.
More about Wendy:
Wendy Ratcliff is one of His Majesty’s Inspectors and Principal Officer for Early Education Policy at Ofsted.
Originally qualified as an early years practitioner, Wendy has extensive experience of inspection and regulation across a full range of early years provisions, including schools. Her role as Principal Officer for early education is focused on Ofsted’s ‘Best start in life’ strategic priority and the inspection of early education curriculum, including through the education inspection framework (EIF) and any changes for the future.
Caroline Hearn, Ofsted
Join Caroline and Wendy to find out more about Ofsted’s proposals on how to make inspection look and feel different, while continuing to encourage and support early years providers to raise standards. They’ll explain how you can have your say through Ofsted’s online consultation.
More about Caroline:
Caroline Hearn is a Specialist Adviser for Ofsted’s early years regulatory policy. She works closely with the department for education on early years policy development and has 25 years’ experience of inspection and regulation across a full range of early years provisions. Caroline is responsible for Ofsted policy in respect of registration, regulation, Childminder agency regulation and the General Childcare register.
Gillian McAteer, Director of Employment Law – Citation
2024 was a year of unprecedented employment law change: from holiday pay and entitlement to new types of leave and requirements around preventing workplace harassment, there’s been a lot to keep track of.
The publication of the new Labour government’s Employment Rights Bill in October also set out further big proposed changes to employment rights across Great Britain. This session, led by Citation will cover:
- A recap of the Employment Law changes from 2024 including the new Sexual Harassment law that came into force in October 2024
- An overview of the Employment Rights Bill and its significant proposals for employment law, including proposed changes to zero hours contracts and sick pay
- The steps you need to take to ensure your business is compliant.
More about Gillian
Qualifying as a solicitor in 1992, Gillian McAteer has been with Citation since 2003 and is the Director of Employment Law. Her extensive commercial experience has equipped her with invaluable insights into clients’ pain points and being able to guide businesses to the right solution in any given situation. Gill is regularly called upon by national, regional, trade and local press to provide expert insights into the latest HR & Employment Law updates, including featuring on Sky News, BBC News and LBC.
More speakers to be announced soon
With thanks to our Member Event sponsor
We want to help you to make your nursery be the best it can be, by supporting you with every aspect of HR and health & safety, we give you the time back to do what you do best – educate your children.
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