How do artist interventions work in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector?

Abstract

This study is inspired by a personal belief in the merits of the arts in early childhood development and the policy backdrop is the recent launch of the Principles for Facilitating the Arts in Promoting Play and Creativity in Early Learning and Care (DCEDIY, 2025). The aim of the study was to assess how artist interventions work in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector, from the perspective of Local Authority Arts Offices. A sequential mixed methods design was adopted to collect data, with fifteen Arts Offices responding to a survey and five volunteering to be interviewed. Findings reveal that Arts Offices have a key enabling role in the implementation of policy in artist interventions in the ECEC sector, which is defined by the parameters of their office. The importance of collaboration and relationship building for the delivery of quality interventions is established, alongside the critical need for artist and educator training and professional development. A commitment to consistent funding and resources is highlighted as essential to the long-term implementation of policy and integration of the arts within the ECEC sector.