The advisors on the panel were:
- Chris Pascal – Director of Centre for Research in Early Childhood, Birmingham
- Bernadette Duffy – Head of Thomas Coram Early Childhood Centre
- Kathy Sylva – Professor of Educational Psychology, Oxford University
- Sue Owen – Director of Practice Improvement, National Children’s Bureau
- Dorian Bradley – Independent Advisor, EYFS exemptions
- Rob Nicholson – Head of Early Years, Wandsworth Council Children’s Services Department
- Nicola Amies – Director of Early Years, Bright Horizons Family Solutions
- Heather Rockhold – retired Headteacher, Lauriston Primary and Nursery school
- Jean Gross – The Communication Champion.