HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

The EEF Exchange is also open to educators working in early years (including childminders)!

It offers a low-pressure way to:
- reflect on your work and explain your thinking
- hear from other educators
- build confidence in engaging with and talking about educational research

Find out more 👇

Graphic banner for the HEART Midlands EYSPH Baby Room Network, with three photos of different babies/toddlers weaning/eating solid foods alongside the HEART EYSPH logo and a graphic of building blocks that spell out BABY.

Introducing our Baby Room Network 👶

A dedicated space for #BabyRoom practitioners to deepen their knowledge, strengthen their practice, and connect with others across the sector.

Our first two sessions will explore the nutritional needs of babies and under‑2s: www.eventbrite.com/cc/baby-room...

Graphic for HEART Midlands EYSPH Network Meetings January 2026 - close up photo of a hand circling a date on a calendar with snowflakes in the background and a graphic of a person wrapped up in winter woolies cradling a hot drink in their mittened hands.

All of our events are free and tailored for #EarlyYears professionals working in our Hub areas.

Book now via our events page: www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/wm/hear...

#StrongerPracticeHub #CPD #WestMidlands

Decorative graphic card for the Nurture Network session on safe spaces and wellbeing.

Nurture Network: Safe Spaces and Wellbeing 🌱

On Thu 29 Jan, our Nurture Network will meet for their third session to explore the final two principles of nurture: 'the setting offers a safe space to learn and develop', and 'the importance of nurture for the development of wellbeing'.

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Decorative graphic card for the SEND Network session on Nutrition for Neurodivergent Minds.

SEND Network: Nutrition for Neurodivergent Minds 🍽️

On Wed 28 Jan, our SEND Network will be joined by nutritional therapist Catherine Jeans, who will be exploring the effects and implications of eating and nutrition for children with neurodiversity.

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Decorative graphic card for the Leaders & Managers Network session on the National Education Nature Park programme.

Leaders & Managers Network: National Education Nature Park 🍃

On Wed 14 Jan, our Leaders & Managers Network will welcome Martin Harrison from the National Education Nature Park, who will share everything you need to know about the programme and how to get started in your setting!

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Decorative graphic card for the Inspiration Network session with Ruth Swailes: Unique Child, Unique Curriculum.

Inspiration Network with Ruth Swailes 💡

On Tue 13 Jan, we'll be joined by renowned consultant and author @ruthswailes.bsky.social, to explore how a deep understanding of the unique child can shape a unique curriculum — one that is inclusive, responsive, and rooted in evidence-based practice.

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Graphic for HEART Midlands EYSPH Network Meetings January 2026 - close up photo of a hand circling a date on a calendar with snowflakes in the background and a graphic of a person wrapped up in winter woolies cradling a hot drink in their mittened hands.

January Networking at HEART ❄️🤝🌳💚

January might be chilly, but we’ve got plenty of networking opportunities to keep you warm!

As we step into 2026, we're kicking off the year with a full programme of meetings designed to inspire, support, and strengthen your practice...

🧵

a penguin in a snow globe with the words merry christmas on the bottom ALT: a penguin in a snow globe with the words merry christmas on the bottom

Your engagement with the Stronger Practice Hub helps strengthen practice across our region, and we’re truly grateful to be learning and growing alongside you.

Wishing you a peaceful Christmas break and a joyful New Year!

Here’s to more connection, inspiration, and collaboration in 2026 💫

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Christmas graphic with text that says: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR with the HEART Midlands Early Years Stronger Practice Hub logo.

Merry Christmas from HEART 🎄✨ Thank you for all you do to keep children at the heart of your practice throughout the year 💚

As we approach the end of 2025, we express our heartfelt appreciation for the incredible dedication, curiosity, and care you bring to the early years sector.

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Graphic with text that says: How many altogether? A Counting Collections Case Study with the HEART Midlands Early Years Stronger Practice Hub and Counting Collections logos, with close-up photos of children using Counting Collections resources.

✨ Case Study Spotlight ✨

How do children move from reciting numbers to truly understanding them?

Our latest case study, “How Many Altogether?”, shows how #CountingCollections & #MarkMaking supported 4‑yr‑old Evie’s number sense.

👉 www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/wm/hear...

#EarlyYearsMaths

🎄 Day 17 of our Christmas countdown 🎄

Today we’re opening the door to recruiting and supporting Warwickshire’s childminders 👶✨

For more information, visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/advent-calen...

#WarwickshireTogether

The first time ever sharing ALL our webinars for free! 🎁 Our gift to passionate early years practitioners this Christmas. Find out more >> https://loom.ly/AyM7dTQ

#earlyyearspractitioners #talestoolkit #eyfs #ece #earlychildhoodeducators

Wow! When an experienced teacher writes a summary of our work (without any input from us) and it is so spot on we know we are getting it right.
Thank you to Claire Stanley from Goodway Nursery School and @midlandssph.bsky.social.
Concept Cat is now one of @theeef.bsky.social's promising programmes!

CREC Learning Circle (the last one of the year!) Thursday 4th Dec- Hybrid 4.30pm-5.30pm. This month we welcome Eleanor Milligan UEA - Telling the Story of Research: Using Storybooks to Support Children’s Understanding, Consent, and Ongoing Assent
buff.ly/ykHWTHD
#CREC #LearningCircle

Pupil Premium in practice: Using the EEF guide to support… Using the EEF Guide to Support Disadvantaged Pupils

📣 New blog alert!

Want to get the most from Pupil Premium? Check out this deep dive on our updated guide, from diagnosing needs to delivering changes that stick.

Read here:

Graphic for HEART Midlands EYSPH Network Meetings November 2025 - close up photo of a hand circling a date on a calendar.

🤝 November Networking at HEART 🌳💚

Connect with peers and strengthen your practice at one of our upcoming #network meetings.

All events are free and tailored for #EarlyYears professionals.

Browse and book now: www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/wm/hear...

🚨 Invitation to tender!

The EEF is funding a review of how early years educators support children’s language and communication.

We’d love to hear from research teams with experience in using mixed-methods or qualitative approaches.

Find out more 👉 tinyurl.com/62a4xdsn

Flyer for the Maths Champions programme developed by NDNA. Text says: Improve children's outcomes by three months through becoming a Maths Champion in your setting. Express your interest here: www.bit.ly/HEARTeoi

🧮 Want to boost early maths in your setting?

Join the #MathsChampions programme - 12 months of expert training, tools & resources to help early years practitioners build confidence and boost children’s maths from the start!

🔗 Find out more: www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/wm/hear...

Molly Devlin (Director of Early Years) and Vickee Twort (Executive Primary Head at Ark Victoria Academy) explore why boosting attendance in the early years is critical - and share four strategies that are already making a measurable impact.
💭 Read their @theeef.bsky.social blog: tinyurl.com/373asuce

Graphic image of two characters taking an online survey with thought bubbles showing happy and not happy emotions. The DfE logo is in the bottom left.

📋💬 DfE Early Years Workforce Survey

How do you check #EarlyYears #qualifications? What works well? What could be better?

This short survey (5 mins) is your chance to share honest feedback that will help shape future support for our sector.

🔗 dferesearch.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

West Midlands Ofsted Big Conversation 7th November 2025 The West Midlands Ofsted Big Conversation is delighted to be running its next live event in Birmingham. Join us for some interesting chat.

📣 West Midlands early years professionals - don’t miss the #OfstedBigConversation on Thu 7 Nov, 10:00–12:00

🗣️ Open dialogue, sector updates, shared learning
🌍 Join in person or online
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/west-midla...

Let’s shape the future together!

#EarlyYears #WestMidlands #SectorVoices

🗣️ Do you work in the early years?

We want to hear from YOU!

Take a quick 10-min survey on Early Years Pupil Premium funding to help shape future support.

💷 £50 for an optional follow-up interview!

🔗 Join here: www.iffresearch.com/...

Decorative banner image for the Nurture Network

💬 Each Nurture Network session will dive into the #PrinciplesOfNurture.

Sign up for all four sessions to get the full experience!

👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/nurture-n...

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Nurture Network Session 1: Transition and Learning Session 1: 'The importance of transition in children’s lives' and 'Children’s learning is understood developmentally'

🎉 West Mids Early Years Professionals—come and join the HEART #NurtureNetwork 🤝

🌱 Session 1: Transition & Learning

📅 Thu 25 Sept | 🕙 10am–12pm or 🌙 6–8pm

Let’s explore how transitions shape development—and how you can support them with care.

👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nurture-ne...

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It's #NationalInclusionWeek!

Make your classroom more inclusive: learn how to spot and support children with #DLD in our upcoming webinar👇
https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/dld-educational-support/developmental-language-disorder-awareness-day-webinar/

Photo of the back of four young children holding hands, running in a sunny meadow with text that says "Growing Practice Summer Webinars 2025"

Let your practice GROW this summer 🌱🌻

Join Growing Practice—a national series of free webinars from Stronger Practice Hubs across the UK.

🤝 Open to all #EarlyYearsEducators
🎓 Practical, evidence-informed sessions
🔗 Book now 👉 www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/wm/hear...

#EarlyYears #CPD

Read the full evaluation to learn more: strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/national/eysph-updates/ebp/evaluation-shows-ey-stronger

#EarlyYears #StrongerPracticeHubs #Impact

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Highlights include:

🏅 Over 8,000 settings signed up, with 90% rating activities as “high quality”

🧒 74% of settings reported practice changes; 88% believe these will improve children's outcomes — notably in language, communication, and PSED

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Graphic quote card that says: "Stronger Practice Hubs have been commended as a model of supporting workforce development that is peer-led, responsive and inclusive with positive outcomes for the workforce and children." Alice Jones Bartoli, NCB Deputy Director, Education and Early Years

🎉 Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs Are Making a Real Difference!

An independent evaluation has found that the Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs programme, which launched in 2022, is boosting outcomes across the country—especially in more deprived areas.

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