About Nesta

Nesta is a research and innovation foundation. We apply our deep expertise in applied methods to design, test and scale solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time, working across the innovation lifecycle.

This event took place on Tuesday 3 March. You can watch the recording below.

The opinions expressed in this event recording are those of the speaker. For more information, view our full statement on external contributors.

The Best Start in Life strategy has set out the UK government’s target to increase the number of children reaching a good level of development to 75% by 2028. Achieving this target will require improving services and support for families from pregnancy through the first five years of children’s lives.

On Tuesday 3 March we heard from Olivia Bailey MP, minister for early education, about the UK government’s priorities for integrated early years support and family services. Minister Bailey joined Moria Sloan, mission director, fairer start mission, Nesta to discuss the ambition for Best Start in Life and how we can make sure that every baby and young child has the opportunity to develop and thrive.

This hybrid event took place at 58 Victoria Embankment, EC4Y 0DS and was for policymakers, decision makers in local authorities, early years professionals and practitioners, civic leaders, and the early years research and innovation community. The event was followed by a networking reception.

Speakers

Moria Sloan

Moria Sloan

She/Her

Moria heads up the fairer start mission, leading Nesta’s work to tackle early childhood inequalities. She also serves as an advisor at the Cabinet Office, where she previously held the role of deputy director for public sector innovation, supporting the Test, Learn and Grow programme. At Nesta, Moria has held several senior roles, including deputy director for the fairer start mission and chief of staff, where she supported organisational strategy, leadership and equity, diversity and inclusion. Before joining Nesta, Moria worked in the humanitarian sector, supporting people displaced by conflict and crisis around the world.

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Olivia Bailey MP

She/Her

Olivia Bailey was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Early Education) and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) at the Department for Education on 7 September 2025. She was elected as the MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire in July 2024.