Staffing the sector - the challenges we all face

Kelly Hill has worked in the early years sector since leaving school. Starting as a Nursery Nurse, Kelly worked her way up to nursery manager, trainer and assessor and through to operations director before setting up and running Early Years Leadership CIC.

Degree qualified in both Early Years and Business & HR, Kelly has a wealth of knowledge to share with the sector. Kelly is passionate about leadership across the early years and strives to develop leaders to be the best they can be. As Founder and CEO of Early Years Leadership, Kelly hopes to support as many leaders and aspiring leaders to have a voice, share common experiences and come together to drive the sector forward. Kelly also owns her own early years setting, which keeps her knowledge and experience current.

David Wright is the former owner, now ambassador for Paint Pots Nurseries. He is the 2022 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Nursery World in recognition of his wide-ranging activities across the early childhood education (ECE) sector globally. David is the national representative for the World Forum on ECE and chair of its Men in ECE working group. He is an author, presenter, trainer, broadcaster, commentator and advisor on early years. He is involved in several charities supporting children across the world.

Aaron Bradbury is an early childhood academic, paying close attention to all aspects of early years and child centred practice, workforce development, child development and early help. His current role is principal lecturer for Childhood and Early Years at Nottingham Trent University in the Institute of Social Sciences. Aaron also leads a national website and training organisation called Early Years Reviews.