Connecting the Sector

So, like all great ideas - Tanya realised the way to get the conference she had envisaged was to organise it herself. She had the time. She had a background in marketing - Tanya organised a festival for her 50th birthday so event planning is practically a hobby!

With a clear vision to create an event that represented the level of professionalism the sector deserved, Tanya set about finding sponsors, speakers and delegates. And, in May 2022, just as the sector was beginning to emerge from the effects of pandemic, over 100 out-of-school professionals gathered together for the first time.

Recognising Brilliance

And it was not just a conference. Tanya’s childcare company had won business awards, but had never won the award the business really wanted - one that reflected the amazing work they were doing with children. Being based on school site meant the opportunity to win a play award was limited. So, the concept for Out of School Club Awards was created, and became an instant reality when Tanya realised the sector now had their own OSCAs!

The vibe was nothing short of electric. There was a real buzz. A sense of change. Connectivity with like-minded people. Shared problem solving. It was a day that everyone present will not forget.

Remember When The Sector was Forgotten?

The theme for the first conference was ‘Bringing the Forgotten Sector Together’. The sector felt overlooked. It was the poor relation to Early Years. It felt under-appreciated by parents. The first conference presented one of the first opportunities the sector had to connect face-to-face with the Department for Education (DfE).

At the first conference, the DfE were in listening mode. It was clear that change was coming - but it was not clear what that change was. The second conference saw more conversations with DfE and a clearer view of imminent change. And, as we plan the 2024 conference, the sector is in the middle of a £289million investment as part of the National Wraparound Childcare Programme - it is safe to say that in 2 years the sector has gone from being forgotten to having the most significant investment in years.

Building Sustainable Futures

The theme of the 2024 conference is Building Sustainable futures. That is sustainability in all its guises. Provision that will continue to exist once the National Wraparound Childcare Programme funding ends. Provision that is financially sustainable. But more than that - as the sector matures, it is time for us to think about our impact on the planet and how we can not only embed environmentally-friendly business practice into our organisations, but also how we support the next generation in understanding how they can make positive environmental changes.

The Team is Growing!

Tanya organised every aspect of the first two Club Central Conferences alone - from securing sponsors and speakers, to marketing and web updates, planning the agenda, and… making delegate packs. (with a bit of help from anyone she can rope in on the day!). She is lucky to have very supportive family and friends who have given up their time to help support the smooth-running of the conference day. She now has a ‘small army’ of friends who love being part of the Club Central Day. This year, she is delighted to have invited her sister, Sam Thomson, to be co-organiser. Sam and Tanya ran their childcare company together for many years so Sam is a natural addition to the team.