Are Babies Too Young for Policy-Driven Childcare?

The Margaret Horn Debate is our annual opportunity to stop, think, and ask what, in the name of children’s education and care, are we really doing?

I love this event because it pushes us to look beyond policy soundbites and focus on what children truly need to thrive.

This year’s debate asks a particularly important question: Is it really in babies’ best interests to offer childcare from nine months or is this policy driven more by economic necessity than by what’s right for them?

More parents than ever are feeling the pressure to return to work early, in a cost-of-living crisis that increasingly frames childcare through an economic lens. But as we talk about “quality care” for babies under one, we must ask, do our policies put children at the centre, or the labour market?

At this year’s debate, we’ll explore:

• How can we ensure mothers and fathers are able to access the best possible care for their babies in that vital first year?
• Should society bear greater responsibility to protect the youngest children from policies shaped primarily by economic goals?
• And how do we better support parents, particularly mothers, who choose to stay at home, ensuring their role is valued and respected?

At LEYF, we know just how political this sector is. Whether it’s child poverty, obesity, or men in childcare, every issue ultimately leads us back to the same truth: early education matters most.

Now in its 19th year, the Margaret Horn Debate will be held online on Thursday, 20th November, from 5pm–6.30pm.

Chaired independently by journalist, Gabriella Jozwiak, the panel will feature sector leaders, researchers, and parents. It’s always lively, thoughtful, and full of ideas that move the conversation forward.

Whether you’re a parent, practitioner, educator, policymaker, or simply passionate about babies and children’s rights, I’d be delighted if you joined us.

Book your free place today and take part in this vital national conversation