In this case study, Amy Marsh, Head of Nurseries and Preschools at The Priory Learning Trust, shares her experience attending the Sensory Processing Immersion Morning at Springboard Opportunity Group, and how it shifted her thinking from managing children’s behaviour to understanding the biology behind it.
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Maths Champions is a fully-funded online professional development programme developed by the NDNA, with support from the EEF. Proven to boost children’s maths and language attainment by an average of three additional months, it’s one of a number of evidence-based CPD programmes currently open to early years practitioners across our region.
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This case study examines Sarah Ellis’s professional development as Nursery Manager at Bristol Children’s Playhouse, focusing on improving services for two-year-olds. By engaging with the Bristol Early Years All About Twos guidance and participating in the Getting it Right for Twos programme, she aimed to enhance team understanding in key developmental areas.
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Ruth Glover, CEO of Springboard Opportunity Group, emphasises understanding behaviour in early years as a form of communication linked to sensory experiences. She advocates for a sensory-informed approach to better interpret children’s needs, proposing strategies to create supportive environments. By viewing behaviours as signals rather than challenges, educators can enhance inclusion and self-regulation, ultimately aiding children’s learning and development.
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In this recorded session, Dr Mona Sakr explores how to make outdoor experiences truly meaningful for babies, including a practical framework for ensuring every child feels safe, loved, and ready to learn in the natural world. Perfect for childminders, baby room practitioners, and nursery staff working with our youngest children.
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In this blog post by Caren Egan, an early years leader with over 25 years of experience, she reflects on navigating the evolving inspection landscape with confidence and clarity. From the updated EYFS framework to the new five-point grading scale, Caren explores what genuine quality looks like on the nursery floor every day, and why high standards are not about inspection readiness, but about keeping children’s wellbeing and learning at the heart of everything we do. If you are a leader or manager in early years, this is a must-read for staying grounded, supporting your team, and leading with purpose through a period of real change.
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Will Purcell, Early Years Teacher at Archfield House Nursery in Bristol, shares how implementing the EEF’s ShREC approach transformed adult–child interactions in his setting. Focusing on Share attention, Respond, Expand, and Conversation, Will and his team have seen real changes — children sustaining longer exchanges, showing greater confidence, and making noticeable progress in language development. Read how embedding this evidence-informed framework into everyday practice has strengthened staff confidence and deepened connections with the children in their care.
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This comprehensive 1-hour staff meeting template guides early years practitioners through critically reflecting on how festival celebrations are planned and experienced within their setting. The resource challenges surface-level approaches to cultural events, repositioning festival celebrations as opportunities for genuine inclusion and meaningful connection with children and families. Teams work through reflective activities that examine current practice, exploring the difference between tokenistic representation and authentic cultural experiences that truly resonate with the children and communities they serve. The template draws on principles of belonging and cultural identity, encouraging practitioners to consider how festivals can be woven meaningfully into daily life rather than treated as one-off activities disconnected from children’s lived experiences. Each element of the session prompts teams to reflect on the voices of families, the authenticity of resources and materials used, and the lasting impact celebrations have on children’s sense of identity and self-worth. With a focus on moving beyond the decorative towards the deeply relational, this resource includes follow-up activities to embed reflective practice and support settings in developing a more intentional, inclusive approach to cultural celebration throughout the year.
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A series of fully funded events aimed at nursery practitioners, childminders, and educators will take place across the region this spring. These sessions include workshops on early years development and trauma-informed practices. Participants can find local events and book through env-beythcouk-sphstaging.kinsta.cloud/sph/local-offer, enhancing educational opportunities in their communities.
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In this webinar from December 3, 2025, Helen Battelley explored how early physical development naturally progresses into more structured physical education. Discover key movement milestones, developmental readiness, and practical strategies to support every child’s movement journey – from crawling and climbing to catching and kicking.
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Sarah Ellis, Nursery Manager at Bristol Children’s Playhouse, reflects on enhancing the nursery’s culture and vision. Following challenges to stability, staff engaged in collective reflections about their ethos and values, shaping a new vision aligned with families’ aspirations. This ongoing process aims to support child development and staff well-being through collaborative culture building.
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Sarah Ellis, Nursery Manager at Bristol Children’s Playhouse, discusses the significance of setting culture in early years education in her blog series. The first part emphasises the impact of a supportive culture on staff retention and child attendance, highlighting the need for tailored cultural practices that reflect community needs.
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