A new national forum group has been formed, the Early Childhood Education and Care Sustainability Forum. Inaugural meetings were held on zoom in March and May 2021 and terms of reference have been agreed.

The forum aims to support the development of a holistic and transformational Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector that promotes life-long learning and empowers the whole ECEC community of children, families, professional educators and administrators, in making more informed decisions and responsible actions for the natural world integrity, economic viability and a just society, in the interests of present and for future generations to come.

Founding members Cheryl Hadland and Barbara Chaitoff from Tops Day Nurseries, have been joined by John Siraj-Blatchford (OMEP), Mark Bird (Childbase), Nick Corlett (LEYF), Claire Brown (N Family Club), Enya Mooney and Amy Jones (Enya’s Childcare), Diane Boyd (Liverpool John Moores University), Louise Lloyd-Evans (SNAP) and Janet King (CACHE). The forum meets every 6 weeks for 90 minutes via Zoom.

Membership of the group is open to anyone in the sector with an interest in supporting, encouraging, and role modeling sustainability in the ECEC Sector. Information shared will be cascaded free of charge via the GECCO website and via member websites and social media as appropriate.

The group plans to share experience and knowledge, in a supportive manner, with all levels of colleagues and stakeholders in the sector, to challenge greenwash, and to publish and share research to support the effectiveness of sustainability in the ECEC Sector.

For more information about the forum and it’s members, visit our page or visit the LinkedIn group.