Early Years AGM 2023- Review

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Early Years - the organisation for young children took place on 24th November 2023.

CEO Pauline Walmsley gave a summary of the year, highlighting some of the organisations challenges and achievements. Among these were:

The Great Early Years Make Off event
The DE Review of Education which clearly recognises that a child’s educational journey commences pre-birth
Continued support provided through the Daycare and PSEP Forum meetings
Steps taken in partnership with Stranmillis to progress workforce issues

Following the completion of formal AGM proceedings, participants heard from Guest Speaker: Chris Quinn, NI Children’s Commissioner.

Chris Quinn was appointed as the new Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland in June 2023. As the fourth Commissioner since the establishment of NICCY in 2003, Chris took up the appointment on 18 September 2023.

Chris has served as Director of the NI Youth Forum since 2008 and was instrumental in setting up Belfast City Council’s first Youth Council and has promoted the voices of young people locally and internationally, including presentations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Chris will spoke on "Implementing Child's Rights in Early Childhood" covering a wide range of issues currently affecting children and families.

Following the successful adoption at the Early Years AGM, the Early Years Annual Report 2022-2023 is now available.