In season 2, episode 14 Simon talks to Brett Wigdortz. Having worked with kids who start primary school not even knowing how to play, Brett has seen first hand the impact of the developmental gap which exists between disadvantaged children and their wealthier peers: 4.3 months by the time they're just 5 years old. On a mission to attract new talent and drive up standards for the UK's broken childcare market, Brett set up Tiney. The initiative is focused on training up a new generation of childminders who are afforded the same pay and respect given to teachers; helping them start 'micro nurseries' which are run from home and grounded in pedagogical care.

Brett can talk about what it was like to leave an esteemed organisation after 15 years at the helm of Teach First, to begin a new venture from scratch. As traditional nurseries are closing in huge numbers, he can also talk about the spike in applications to join the programme since the pandemic started.