The Telegraph article attacked Pemberton’s anti-racist training and views, citing references made on social media regarding ‘white privilege’.
It also highlighted that her training was paid for by Labour-run councils and called for her to be ‘defunded’.
Nursery World has subsequently learnt that Pemberton has also worked with other local authorities that are not under Labour control, including delivering a keynote speech in March for an early years celebration event for Buckinghamshire Council, which is held by the Conservatives.
Pemberton is a widely respected early years expert and a regular contributor to Nursery World, most recently writing a series on anti-racist leadership, which sets out how early years leaders can instil anti-racist practice.
She was also a speaker at last week’s Nursery World Show.
The early years sector has shown huge support for Pemberton since the article was published by The Telegraph online at the weekend.
Pemberton has said her mission is to promote inclusive practice in the early years (under under-fives) education sector, with a particular focus on how race, culture and ethnicity should be considered in this practice.
Pemberton told Nursery World, ‘You can imagine my surprise then when I received an email out of the blue requesting a right-of-reply from a Telegraph journalist – not to discuss public authorities’ obligation to promote race equality, why it’s proven a colour-blind approach to race won't stop racism, or why my training has been so widely requested since 2020 – but to ask me to justify my work and why it’s been paid for “by taxpayers”.
‘The ridiculous email, which you can see on my Instagram account, and the published article - in which a Tory politician said “this woman should be defunded immediately” – is a saddening attempt to intimidate a Black female professional, reinforce the misunderstanding of critical race theory, and align me with political extremism in an attempt to undermine my expertise, and potentially harm my business.’
Sector organisations and individuals have posted their rebuttals to accusations made in the article.
Early Education said in a statement, 'We deplore the recent article by The Telegraph which singled out Liz Pemberton for criticism of her anti-racism training, which she has delivered for many clients including local authorities.
'The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (as recently revised by the current Conservative government) states that: "The EYFS seeks to provide: …equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring that every child is included and supported." It also states that, "Providers must follow their legal responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 including the fair and equal treatment of practitioners regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation."
'It is entirely right that training should be provided to practitioners on this aspect of the Statutory Framework, as on all their responsibilities.
'We affirm our support for the vital work that Liz and other practitioners do to promote awareness and understanding of anti-racism and discrimination, including her contribution to the recent Birth to 5 Matters guidance. This must not be shut down by ad hominem attacks, but should be part of an ongoing public debate about the lived experience of racism in our society and how it can be addressed.'
Tamsin Grimmer tweeted, '@lizpemtbnm training is excellent and all educators would benefit from attending. #AntiRacism starts with each of us.'
On Twitter, the Early Years Alliance said, ‘As early educators, we are in a unique position to support young children to learn about racial equality & discrimination. Any suggestion that this is somehow 'inappropriate' because of the age of the children we work with is incredibly short-sighted.’
The National Day Nurseries Association said in a statement, ‘Early years is a crucial stage for children’s development especially personal and social development. It’s important practitioners can access a wide range of support that they might want in discussing racial equality and inclusive practice. This should be encouraged not criticised.’
Eliane Bennett of Keeping Early Years Unique said in a statement, 'Our highly esteemed colleague Liz Pemberton has found herself the focus of a very unpleasant piece of "so called" journalism in The Telegraph which misrepresents her, her important work. It attempts to discredit her.
'Many members of Keeping Early Years Unique know Liz and her work well. She worked alongside KEYU as part of the Early Years Coalition to develop the ground-breaking ‘Birth to Five Matters’ guidance. She is a respected consultant, author and trainer whom many of us have worked with and learned from. She always sparks essential discussion and reflection to support the workforce to challenge their thinking and practice, to do better for their children.'
Commenting on The Telegraph article, Pemberton added, ‘There was no desire to engage with what decolonising mindsets and play spaces truly means, or how my work is actually empowering practitioners to competently challenge incidents of racism, and to confidently satisfy the natural curiosity that all children have pertaining to skin colours, hair textures, and religious and/or cultural practices.
‘Those who know me and my mission, and the future that I’m trying to shape for our children, know that I lead with love. I want to educate people on how to embed anti-racist and inclusive practices in their work, and why it’s vital to do so in the early years sector when children are at such an impressionable age.’