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Why Books Matter: Using Inclusive Literature to Build Empathy and Belonging in the Early Years
In our daily practice, we know that reading to children is a fundamental part of care. But do we really take advantage of…
Summer Updates & Opportunities for Early Years Professionals
The May 2026 newsletter from St Edmund's Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, with safer sleep guidance, transition webinars,…
More Than Just a Story: Building Practitioner Confidence and Child Engagement Through Narrative Props
A case study with childminders Alex Leigh and Karen Fisher on how a Pop-up Play and Learn group used narrative props to…
Bringing Stories to Life: The Power of Props
Interested in finding out how you can improve early mathematics at home and in your setting? Read our new blog by Rebecca…
Aligning Early Maths at Home and in the Nursery
Interested in finding out how you can improve early mathematics at home and in your setting? Read our new blog by Rebecca…
Small steps, big futures: Supporting Best Start in Life with 50 Things To Do Before You’re Five
Birth to 19 launches its new campaign: Small steps, big futures.
Read the blog to learn more about the campaign and how…
Less Screen Time, More Play Time: supporting families to put play back at the heart of early childhood
Are you a professional working in the early years sector? How has the screen time crisis in young children impact your every…
Building Trust and Attachment: Navigating the Joys and Challenges of the Baby Room
Read our new blog, written by Caitlin Bray as she shares the joys and challenges of working in the baby room at an early…
STRONGER PRACTICE HUB: NOVEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
November news from St Edmund's Early Years Stronger Practice Hub.
Communication: How Objects of Reference support Children with SEND
Shannon Sulston, Assistant Head at Co-op Academy Delius, shares her expertise using objects of reference as a tool for…
Loose Parts Play: Creativity, Problem-Solving, and Sustainability in Early Years Education
Loose Parts play is a fundamental play type that builds children's physical skills, specifically their fine and gross motor…
More Than a Network: The Power of Community in Early Years Leadership
Hear from our Director: Institute for the Early Years, Becca Oberg, sharing her early years experience in our new Community…
Foundations for the Future: West Yorkshire's Early Years Workforce Plan
We have partnered with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to create an Early Years Workforce Plan, detailing an outline moving…
Communication support for early years children… whose job is it anyway?
As we say farewell to Helen Rush and congratulate her on her new role working on the language and communication project…
Case Study: Building Connections through the Early Years Stronger Practice Hub
In this case study, we explore Alex Leigh's journey with our Early Years Stronger Practice Hub and how she has grown…
Tales That Spark Thinking: The Impact of TWITCH at Grass Roots Day Nursery
At Grass Roots Day Nursery in Sowerby, Halifax, we’ve always believed in the power of stories — not just as a tool for…
Ready, Set, School! Why Preparation Matters
Starting school is a huge step in a child’s life. According to the EYFS, the transition from nursery to Reception should…
Stronger Practice Hubs...Here to stay!
Stronger Practice Hubs are here to stay and early years is being seen as a priority by the Government! Helen Rush, St…
Supporting Multilingual Learners in Early Years Settings
Supporting MLLs effectively starts with educators. We need to feel confident and brave enough to try different ways of…
50 Things to Do Before You’re Five features in new report, "Everything to Play For: A Plan to Ensure Every Child in England Can Play"
Centre for Young Lives have released the second report in the Raising the Nation Play Commission: "Everything to Play For: A…
Starting Reception: A new definition can help Early Years Settings share their ethos with parents.
As many children enter their final term before starting school, parents often worry about academic skills like writing names…
New 'State of Play' Interim report is published by the Raising the Nation Play Commission
Birth to 19 has been listed as a contributor to the Raising the Nation Play Commission's Interim Report, 'State of Play'.
Supporting children with Language & Communication: Understanding Your Role in Identifying a Need
Currently in the UK 1.9 million children are struggling with talking and understanding words. Early identification and…
DfE launch updated Toilet Training Guidance, as we provide webinar and resources.
As a response to our needs analysis, we delivered a very timely webinar, two days after the DfE guidance update, on…
Birth to 19's response to the Government's Child Poverty Task force
Birth to 19 published their response to the Government's Child Poverty Task force.
Promoting Cultural Capital & Community Engagement in Early Years Settings
Building cultural capital helps children develop the knowledge, experiences, confidence and communication skills that will…
Reading levels for children at a 'crisis' point
Rebecca Oberg, Director: Institute for the Early Years comments on the importance of sharing books for children to improve…
Nurturing Excellence in the Early Years: The Value of Apprenticeship Training Rooted in Evidence Informed Practice
As the Executive Headteacher of two outstanding nursery schools, who have employed apprentices for many years, Sian Hudson…
EALC supports the publication of Parenting Through Adversity Practice Guide (0-10)
EALC supports the Department for Education in partnership with Foundations' new published practice guide Parenting Through…
EALC partners with Speakers for Schools
EALC will work with the UK's leading social mobility start-up