Insights from the 2024 Bright Start International Conference
The 2024 Bright Start International Conference, held at the end of November brought together a vibrant community of early childhood professionals and researchers from 43 countries. Hosted by the Bright Start Foundation, this annual event serves as a leading platform for fostering international dialogue and advancing best practice in early childhood care and education.
Representing the Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYPDP) and Education Development Trust (EDT), Senior Quality and Learning Manager Steph Lawrence attended the event, sharing key reflections from the sessions she attended.
The art of reflection in early years leadership
At the 1st International Forum on Leadership and Professional Development in Early Childhood, speakers Eirini Gkouskou, Liz Bullough, and Mireilli Forrest underlined the importance of reflection in Early Years leadership. They highlighted how regular reflection – on theory, as well as personal and professional experiences – encourages curiosity and professional challenge, saying: “Practitioners must consistently apply theory to practice, irrespective of their qualifications, to maintain high standards in Early Years provision.”
AI and inclusive lesson planning
In an inspiring session led by Naheed Mukhi, attendees explored the potential of artificial intelligence, particularly ChatGPT, in creating inclusive and culturally relevant lesson plans. The session demonstrated how AI can tailor plans to reflect children’s cultural backgrounds, languages, and developmental needs, while also easing the workload for practitioners. Steph reflected, “It was fascinating to see how AI can be used to create plans efficiently, while embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion into the heart of practice.”
A global vision for early childhood education
Professor Lynn Ang presented a compelling vision for the future of Early Childhood Education and Care, calling for a sustained focus on quality, accessibility, and affordability over the coming decade. Her session resonated strongly with the United Nations’ 2030 goals, particularly the target of ensuring all children have access to high-quality early education. Speaking to attendees, Professor Ang said, “If we change the beginning of the story, we change the whole story,” emphasising the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in equipping practitioners to deliver transformative outcomes for young learners.
A shared commitment to progress
The conference exemplified the collective commitment to addressing challenges and seizing opportunities in Early Years education. Steph noted how the discussions aligned with EYPDP’s focus on delivering high-quality professional development, which empowers practitioners to make a lasting difference.
“This event highlighted the crucial importance of providing practitioners with access to meaningful CPD,” Steph reflected. “Through initiatives like the EYPDP, practitioners’ core skills and knowledge are recognised, developed, and strengthened, leading to greater confidence, motivation, and improved provision for children.”