PRESS RELEASE
Monday 9 May 2005

NEW LANARK – NEW INSPIRATION

The British Association for Early Childhood Education (EARLY EDUCATION) will hold its Annual National Conference 2005 in New Lanark on 6 and 7 May. The conference brings together four influential speakers from the national and international arena (Professor Christine Pascal, Professor Kathleen Marshall, Elizabeth Cullen and Bernadette Duffy).

Over 200 years ago the beautiful sandstone cotton mills of New Lanark were founded in a dramatic gorge in Southern Scotland, close to the famous Falls of Clyde. Soon the village became known all over the world because of the work of mill owner and social pioneer Robert Owen. In an age of cruel mill managers and ‘dark, satanic mills,’ he provided decent homes, fair wages, free health care and a new education system for villagers, which included the first nursery.

At the Early Education conference NEW LANARK – NEW INSPIRATION speakers will mesh historical perspectives with present and future trends.

Anne Nelson, Director of Early Education, said
“This conference has presented an exciting opportunity for our members from across the UK to re-visit some of the origins of the history of early childhood education. The wonderful setting and the exciting speakers have truly given us the inspiration to go forward and continue Robert Owen’s vision. We are committed to ensuring that our youngest children should all enjoy a high quality early years education. We will continue to support practitioners and families to achieve this. ”

To view Prof Christine Pascal's presentation, please click here

Notes for editors

1. Professor Christine Pascal is Director of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) at University College Worcester and St. Thomas Centre, Birmingham.

2. Professor Kathleen Marshall is Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland. Press and media should contact Citigate SMARTS on 0131 555 0425

3. Elizabeth Cullen is a Senior University Teacher in the University of Glasgow’s Faculty of Education. She holds a range of posts of responsibility in relation to Early Childhood Education.

4. Bernadette Duffy is Head of the Thomas Coram Early Childhood Centre in Camden which has been designated as a Children Centre by the Sure Start Unit at the Department for Education and Employment. The centre offers fully integrated care and education for young children in partnership with their parents and local community.

5. Additional information on New Lanark is available on the New Lanark web-site www.newlanark.org

6. The British Association for Early Childhood Education (Early Education), founded in 1923, is a national voluntary organisation with charitable status for early years practitioners and parents. The Association promotes the right of all children to education of the highest quality. Early Education has members and branches throughout the United Kingdom. The Association’s Headquarters is based at 136 Cavell Street, London, E1 2JA.

7. Early Education offers:

• expertise in the education and care of young children
• knowledge and understanding of national developments
• support and advice to those interested in the education of young children
• information on resources
• pportunities for in-service training
• lectures and conferences with renowned speakers
• specialised publications
• a web-site www.early-education.org.u

8. For further details contact Dorothy Petrie Early Education’s Development Officer for Scotland on 01569 766623 email: Dorothy@petrie2750.freeserve.co.uk