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Leeds Beckett Academic calls for greater collaboration in early childhood education
A Leeds Beckett University academic is highlighting the importance of creating more opportunities for early years professionals to share knowledge, reflect on their practice and work together to improve children's learning and development.
Helen Young, Senior Lecturer in the Carnegie School of Education, believes that bringing educators, researchers and practitioners together is essential to strengthening professional knowledge and supporting high-quality early childhood education.
Helen's call comes as the North, East and West Yorkshire branch of Early Education relaunches, a national charity dedicated to championing young children's right to high-quality early education.
The branch's relaunch conference, held at Headingley Campus on 19 September 2026, was designed to bring together professionals from across the region to explore current approaches to early childhood education and strengthen connections between different areas of the sector.
Helen said: “While early years professionals spend much of their working lives building communities for children and families, they often have fewer opportunities to develop their own professional networks.
“Opportunities for reflection and discussion are important in a sector where educators make daily decisions about children's learning, development and wellbeing.”
Professional knowledge developed in nurseries, schools and other early years settings can often remain within individual organisations, while research and policy guidance may not always reach those working directly with children.
The LBU academic believes that creating spaces for meaningful discussion can help bridge these gaps, allowing professionals to share experiences, challenge assumptions and consider different approaches to practice. The relaunch conference focused on the second edition of ‘Birth to Five Matters’, guidance developed collaboratively by the early years sector to support children's learning and development.
The guidance places professional judgment, positive relationships and children's individual experiences at the centre of early education, encouraging practitioners to consider how children learn within their families, communities and educational settings.
Helen added: “Guidance should encourage professional reflection rather than become a checklist of developmental milestones, allowing educators to use their knowledge and experience to respond to children's individual needs.
“Stronger professional communities can bring research and practice closer together, ultimately improving experiences for children and families.”
Helen hopes the relaunched Yorkshire branch will provide an ongoing space for collaboration, enabling professionals to develop relationships, exchange ideas and contribute to wider conversations about early childhood education.
Founded in 1923, Early Education supports professionals working with young children and families, bringing together practitioners from different roles and organisations.
Find out more here
Helen's call comes as the North, East and West Yorkshire branch of Early Education relaunches, a national charity dedicated to championing young children's right to high-quality early education.
The branch's relaunch conference, held at Headingley Campus on 19 September 2026, was designed to bring together professionals from across the region to explore current approaches to early childhood education and strengthen connections between different areas of the sector.
Helen said: “While early years professionals spend much of their working lives building communities for children and families, they often have fewer opportunities to develop their own professional networks.
“Opportunities for reflection and discussion are important in a sector where educators make daily decisions about children's learning, development and wellbeing.”
Professional knowledge developed in nurseries, schools and other early years settings can often remain within individual organisations, while research and policy guidance may not always reach those working directly with children.
The LBU academic believes that creating spaces for meaningful discussion can help bridge these gaps, allowing professionals to share experiences, challenge assumptions and consider different approaches to practice. The relaunch conference focused on the second edition of ‘Birth to Five Matters’, guidance developed collaboratively by the early years sector to support children's learning and development.
The guidance places professional judgment, positive relationships and children's individual experiences at the centre of early education, encouraging practitioners to consider how children learn within their families, communities and educational settings.
Helen added: “Guidance should encourage professional reflection rather than become a checklist of developmental milestones, allowing educators to use their knowledge and experience to respond to children's individual needs.
“Stronger professional communities can bring research and practice closer together, ultimately improving experiences for children and families.”
Helen hopes the relaunched Yorkshire branch will provide an ongoing space for collaboration, enabling professionals to develop relationships, exchange ideas and contribute to wider conversations about early childhood education.
Founded in 1923, Early Education supports professionals working with young children and families, bringing together practitioners from different roles and organisations.
Find out more here
