Sue Robb appointed as DfE's Best Start in Life Champion

Sue Robb, a leading authority in early childhood education, has taken on the strategic role of Best Start in Life Champion within the Department for Education. Drawing on her experience from the original introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in 2008, Robb will advise on how government policy can better support children from birth to age five. Her appointment signals continued ministerial commitment to early childhood development at a time when local authorities are grappling with increasing demand for early years services and complex challenges around school readiness. For cabinet members with responsibility for children's services, this appointment offers a direct line to policy development affecting nursery provision, childminder networks, and health visitor integration. The Champion role is expected to bridge the gap between Whitehall strategy and local delivery, ensuring that the voices of early years practitioners and vulnerable families are heard in national conversations about funding and provision. As the sector navigates ongoing workforce pressures and changes to inspection frameworks, Robb's influence could prove significant in shaping how central government supports local areas to deliver the ambitious goals set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her brief will likely encompass the expansion of family hubs, early intervention strategies, and the quality improvement programmes that determine outcomes for England's youngest children.