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Nesta is an innovation foundation. For us, innovation means turning bold ideas into reality and changing lives for the better. We use our expertise, skills and funding in areas where there are big challenges facing society.

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What we get wrong about early care and education with Dan Wuori

In A fairer start

20 Mar 2025 12:30 – 13:30

Online

Free

Discover the transformative power of early years policy with Dan Wuori

On Thursday 20 March, from 12:30-13:30, we will be joined by renowned education policy consultant and New York Times-featured author, Dan Wuori, to explore why the early years are critical for a child’s future and how effective, science-based policies can transform lives.

Drawing on insights from his latest book, The Daycare Myth, Dan will dive deep into the link between child care and education, highlighting how current policies often prioritise adult employment over children’s developmental needs—and what we can do to change this.

This event is ideal for policymakers, educators, parents, and anyone passionate about improving early childhood outcomes.

Don’t miss out—register now to join us live on Zoom.

Dan Wuori

He/Him

Dr. Dan Wuori is Founder and President of Early Childhood Policy Solutions LLC (a public policy consultancy focused on early education and development) and Strategic Advisor on Early Childhood at The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation. Known across the globe for his daily child development lessons on social media, Dr. Wuori’s work has been profiled by the New York Times, which called his posts “a font of delight and edification…His feed is educational, but also, simply put — “awwwww.” His new book, The Daycare Myth: What We Get Wrong About Early Care and Education (and What We Should Do About It) was released by Teachers College Press at Columbia University on September 27, 2024. Now in its third printing, the book topped Amazon’s education, education reform, and developmental psychology charts upon its announcement on the basis of pre-orders alone. Dr. Wuori joined The Hunt Institute as its founding Director of Early Learning in January of 2019, and served as Senior Director from February 2021 to November 2023, establishing himself as one of the nation’s most trusted, bipartisan policy advisors in the field. A former kindergarten teacher and school district administrator, Dan served as Deputy Director of South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness – the state’s comprehensive, public-private early learning initiative – from 2005-2018. In this role he worked alongside elected leaders to develop significant, bipartisan support for early childhood education and oversaw system innovations including the delivery of public prekindergarten in private, community- and faith-based preschools, improvements to the state’s IDEA Part C early intervention system, the creation of statewide program accountability standards, and the expansion of evidence-based home visiting programs.

Lauren Liotti

She/Her

Lauren works as a mission manager for a fairer start, helping to narrow the outcome gap for disadvantaged children. Before Nesta, Lauren worked at an innovation consultancy where she led social impact projects, including behavioural insights projects with local government in the UK. Prior to this, Lauren worked at an NGO in New York at the United Nations HQ. She focussed on youth engagement and advocacy for various issues, including environmental justice and women’s initiatives. Lauren studied International Relations and Modern History at the University of St Andrews. She also has an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies. Outside of work, Lauren can be found reading, travelling or cooking.

What we get wrong about early care and education with Dan Wuori

About Nesta

What we get wrong about early care and education with Dan Wuori