NEWS

In our daily practice, we know that reading to children is a fundamental part of care. But do we really take advantage of this special time to do all we can to develop a child’s language development?

The May 2026 newsletter from St Edmund's Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, with safer sleep guidance, transition webinars, free CPD and summer events.

A case study with childminders Alex Leigh and Karen Fisher on how a Pop-up Play and Learn group used narrative props to transform storytime and boost language.

Interested in finding out how you can improve early mathematics at home and in your setting? Read our new blog by Rebecca Oberg, Director: Institute for the Early Years to find out how to align your practice and help to embed this at home.

Interested in finding out how you can improve early mathematics at home and in your setting? Read our new blog by Rebecca Oberg, Director: Institute for the Early Years to find out how to align your practice and help to embed this at home.

Birth to 19 launches its new campaign: Small steps, big futures. Read the blog to learn more about the campaign and how the 50 Things to Do Before You're Five initiative aligns with the Government's Best Start in Life strategy.

Read our new blog, written by Caitlin Bray as she shares the joys and challenges of working in the baby room at an early years setting.

November news from St Edmund's Early Years Stronger Practice Hub.

Shannon Sulston, Assistant Head at Co-op Academy Delius, shares her expertise using objects of reference as a tool for communication with students and children.

Loose Parts play is a fundamental play type that builds children's physical skills, specifically their fine and gross motor skills. Learn more about implementing loose parts play into regular early years practice with Rebecca Oberg's blog.

Hear from our Director: Institute for the Early Years, Becca Oberg, sharing her early years experience in our new Community of Practice groups as part of our Early Years Stronger Practice Hub offer.

As we say farewell to Helen Rush and congratulate her on her new role working on the language and communication project Talking Bradford, read her blog on how communication supports children's development.

In this case study, we explore Alex Leigh's journey with our Early Years Stronger Practice Hub and how she has grown professionally and personally through our community.

At Grass Roots Day Nursery in Sowerby, Halifax, we’ve always believed in the power of stories — not just as a tool for language development, but as a gateway to connection, curiosity, and emotional growth. This year, our involvement in the TWITCH (Talk With Tales for Children) pilot project, led by the Education Endowment Foundation, has deepened that belief and offered new ways to support our children’s development. TWITCH is designed to enhance children’s oral language skills through structured storytelling and discussion. It focuses on vocabulary acquisition, narrative comprehension, and the kind of rich, reflective talk that builds thinking skills. For us, it’s been a natural fit.

Starting school is a huge step in a child’s life. According to the EYFS, the transition from nursery to Reception should support children’s emotional well-being, communication skills, and readiness for more structured routines. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) also highlights the importance of a “positive transition experience”, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. With only a few weeks to go, what activities can you do to ensure they are ready?