University Challenge: Students visit Westminster to highlight the importance of Early Years

Fourteen first year Early Years Foundation Degree students visited Westminster last week to attend the Critical 1001 days All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).

The Critical 1001 Days APPG, is a cross party group which champions the importance of intervening early in the 1001 critical days between conception to age 2 to enhance the outcomes for children.

The work of the APPG is supported by academics from the University of Northampton who work to bring together academic experts Government bodies and clinical and industry experts to influence policy to enable the best possible life chances for young children.

The trip, the first time in the Houses of Parliament for many, saw the students witness Dr Eunice Lumsden, Head of Early Year giving evidence to the APPG on the importance of Early Childhood Studies as being seen as an academic field in its own right, as well as highlighting the importance of having graduate professionals working in Early childhood education and care.

This activity directly links to our own Changemaker + Challenges which aim to make Northamptonshire the best county in the UK for children to flourish and learn, and become the leading county in the UK for Health and Wellbeing.

Jeanne Barczewska, Early Years Senior Lecturer said: “Student field trips like this one are valuable for our student’s learning; they have seen how Early Years academics and practitioners are lobbying and informing Government decision making, which will influence their chosen career. This, coupled with their academic studies will help them to become highly employable graduates.”