Children's Rights Publication Release

For immediate release: 30 August 2007

The 51 national organisations which comprise the Early Childhood Forum have today published "Championing Young Children's Rights and Entitlements", a practical introduction to children's rights for the early years workforce. This essential booklet is the culmination of the Forum's campaign for 2006-7. As well as explaining the rights which are part of the UN Convention, it also provides early years practitioners with the key tools to enable them to promote children's rights in their everyday work.

Sue Owen, Director of the Early Childhood Unit at NCB, which facilitates the Forum said: "It's quite a challenge to get this many organisations to work together successfully on a topic like this, but it is the aim of the Forum to reach consensus on important areas of work and to speak with one voice for a large and diverse sector".

The booklet costs £1.00 (contact Jayne Garner on jgarner@ncb.org.uk or 020 7843 6064 for more information)

The Early Childhood Forum's campaign for 2007-8 will relate to the early years workforce and this will be the focus of their annual conference in March 2008 and of a further publication.

-Ends-

Notes for editors:

1. The Early Childhood Forum is a coalition of 51 professional associations, voluntary organisations and interest groups, which meets five times a year at NCB. ECF aims to bring together partners in the early childhood sector to debate issues, celebrate differences and develop consensus to champion quality experiences for all young children from birth to eight and their families. It promotes inclusion* and challenges inequalities. The Forum is coordinated by the Early Childhood Unit at NCB.
   
2. ECU works to encourage discussion and debate with those who are involved with children from birth to eight. For more information visit http://www.earlychildhood.org.uk/ or call 020 7843 6064
   
3. NCB promotes the voices, interests and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. As an umbrella body for the children’s sector in England and Northern Ireland, we provide essential information on policy, research and best practice for our members and other partners. For further information visit http://www.ncb.org.uk/ or call 020 7843 6000

For further information on this release contact:

Paulina Filippou, Communications Officer, PEAL Project, Early Childhood Unit

Tel: 020 7843 1169                           

Email: pfilippou@ncb.org.uk