Liz Bayram will be leaving the Professional Association for Childcare & Early Years (PACEY) as Chief Executive at the end of January, and will be replaced by current policy advisor, Helen Donohoe.
After 15 years of working with trustees, staff and volunteers to support the children and families working with PACEY, Liz Bayram will be leaving PACEY at the end of January.
Helen Donohoe has been appointed by the board to replace Bayram as chief executive. Donohoe and Bayram have been working together closely to ensure a smooth handover.
Since joining PACEY in 2006, Bayram has seen a significant amount of change in the sector and in the organisation.
She led on the digitalisation of PACEY, and has moved the organisation away from delivering support solely through local authority contracts and towards a system, which is remote and provides greater support for families.
Within the sector, she has seen the launch of the Early Years Foundation Stage in England (EYFS) in 2014 which provided a statutory framework for early years care provisions. Bayram also led PACEY through the challenges of the pandemic and its aftermath, which significantly impacted the early years sector.
Speaking about these difficult times, Bayram said, ‘I have faced challenges I never expected to face; learned so much and have cherished being part of the early years and childcare community… I leave with immense admiration for childminders, nurseries, pre-schools and nannies who everyday go above and beyond for the children in their care’.
PACEY said that in addition to her role as chief executive, Bayram has, over the past 15 years, 'contributed to the enrichment and advancement of the early years sector'.
She has appeared on BBC 2’s Newsnight to discuss the need to balance quality and cost in early years provision. She has also written for the Guardian and GovToday on the importance of quality education and concerns about the ‘schoolification’ of toddlers.
Enthusiasm and dedication to the sector is still at the forefront of the organisation’s intentions, according to Donohoe, who said she would ‘continue to ensure we support our members; championing their vital work and ensuring PACEY remain a strong voice for everyone working in early years and childcare’.