Neil Leitch is the chief executive of the Early Years Alliance, the largest voluntary sector childcare operator in the UK. As the largest early years membership organisation in England, the Alliance also represents 14,000 nurseries, pre-schools, and childminders, who in turn support more than 800,000 families.
Before joining the Alliance, Neil held several senior posts within the financial and commercial environment including Chair of the Finance Industry Standards Association. Neil is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).
Keynote Details: Above and beyond: valuing the early years workforce Over recent years, general awareness of the importance of the first five years of a child’s life, and the vital role that high-quality early care and education plays in supporting learning and development, has increased significantly. And yet the early years practitioners that deliver this quality provision day in and day out remain hugely undervalued.
In his speech, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance will highlight the often-unsung role of the early years practitioner and the challenges they face, and examine what more can be done to ensure that those working in the sector are given the support they both need and deserve.