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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…
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'.
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.
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…
Birth to 19's response to the Government's Plan for Change
Government Plans for Change – Birth to 19 Response:
"We are impressed with the bold vision that the Government has laid out…
Response to The Play Commission's Call for Evidence: Reimagining Our Ambitions for Children's Play
Birth to 19 responds to The Play Commission's Call for Evidence, providing their recommendations.
Free breakfast in primary schools government rollout scheme
With many children coming to school every day unprepared and hungry, the government have set forth a scheme to be launched as…
Child of the North Ninth Report: Call for the government to revise preschool provision to improve outcomes for children
Child of the North publishes it's ninth report with Centre for Young Lives. The report provides new evidence-based plans to…
Child of the North: Report for revised preschool provision to improve the generation of 'not school ready’ children
Centre for Young Lives have published their ninth report in the twelve report series in 2024 providing guidance to support…
"Childcare Desert" - Childcare is at an all time low
A "childcare desert" describes the current early years system in the UK. Birth to 19 director Christian Bunting comments on…
Child of the North SEND report: Digitally upskilling children with and through education settings
Our director, Christian Bunting, has contributed to the publication by Child of the North.
Our Team Backs the Critical Call to Action for Children Awaiting Autism Assessments
Our team members, Christian Bunting and Kathryn Loftus were sought out for their expertise on the issue.