The Nuffield Foundation is funding a project aiming to raise the quality of provision in baby rooms.

The project, which runs until August 2026, is led by Dr Mona Sakr, associate professor in education and early childhood studies at Middlesex University, and independent researcher Dr Sara Bonetti.

Dr Sakr said the expansion of funded places to children as young as nine months was likely to correspond with an increase in public scrutiny of the care and education of under-twos.  

“Public money going into the baby room means that for the first time those in government are having to take a close look at what happens in baby rooms currently and what we’re aiming to provide in baby rooms,” she said. “The first step of doing this is building a clearer understanding of what high quality provision looks and feels like.”

The team aims to kickstart a conversation around provision in baby rooms in England by exploring status, sense of professionalism, and professional learning among baby room practitioners in England. The researchers hope to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the current preparation of and support for baby room educators, and develop a plan to advance the quality of provision  for the baby room workforce.

The researchers will survey 200 early years educators as well as sector leaders. Findings will be disseminated through a series of vlogs and interactive online resources. Key decision makers will be engaged with through one-to-one meetings to foster commitment to the recommendations.