On this episode of Mind The Gap, Emma Turner and Jon Hutchinson welcome Dr. Dan Wuori, a renowned expert in early childhood education. Together, they discuss the vital role of early years development, highlighting Dan's work in policy advocacy and his social media presence, where he blends adorable videos of children with deep analysis of early development principles. Dan shares insights from his book, The Daycare Myth, and explores the significant impact of early childhood experiences on lifelong success. The conversation covers policy challenges, the economics of early care, and the importance of nurturing relationships in shaping young minds.

Dan Wuori is the Founder and President of Early Childhood Policy Solutions (a public policy consultancy focused on the needs of America's young children and their families) and Strategic Advisor on Early Childhood at the Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation. Dr. Wuori joined The Hunt Institute, a North Carolina-based education policy support to the nation's governors and state elected leaders, as its founding Director of Early Learning. He continues to serve as The Institute's Senior Early Childhood Advisor. A former kindergarten teacher and school district administrator, Dan served as the Deputy Director of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness – the state’s comprehensive, public-private early learning initiative. His newest book, The Daycare Myth: What We Get Wrong About Early Care and Education (and What We Should Do About It), sounds the alarm on critical and costly disconnects between the science of early development and the US approach to public policy. Follow him on X @DanWuori.

Emma Turner FCCT is a school improvement advisor, education consultant, trainer and author. She has almost three decades of primary teaching, headship and leadership experience across the sector, working and leading in both MATs and LAs. She works nationally and internationally on school improvement including at single school level and at scale. She has a particular interest in research informed practice in the primary phase, early career development, and CPD design. Follow Emma on X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emma_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Jon Hutchinson is a former assistant headteacher of Reach Academy Feltham and is now a Director at the Reach Foundation. He has taught across primary and secondary and HE. In his spare time, Jon runs ⁠www.meno.acacdemy⁠, a platform with free videos to support primary teachers to build their subject knowledge. Follow Jon on X ⁠⁠⁠@jon_hutchinson_⁠ or Bluesky ⁠@jonhutchinson.bksy.social⁠

This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/