A graphic table showing the dates and locations of each district's Transition to Reception 2026 event. All dates, locations, and times can be found on our website at birminghamearlyyearsnetworks.org/events?tag=Transition+to+Reception+2026

SAVE THE DATES 📅 Transition to Reception 2026

Over 400 schools and early years providers joined our district #transition events last year — and we’re back for 2026!

Face‑to‑face sessions to share info, plan visits and support every child moving into #Reception this September.

The Froebel Trust Open Call Research Grant scheme is now OPEN for applications! 🎉

We’re offering funding of up to £50,000 for a team or a collaborative partnership to develop new knowledge about Froebelian education. The theme for this year is the Froebelian principle of 'Relationships matter.'

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...

Are you an early years practitioner, parent and carer keen to learn new approaches to supporting development in babies and young children? Check out a new set of briefings designed by NCB family member @researchip.bsky.social. buff.ly/nE9PYmI

an illustration of a christmas tree with the words merry christmas on it ALT: an illustration of a christmas tree with the words merry christmas on it

As the festive season begins, we wish you rest, joy, and time to recharge ❄️🎄🌟

Thank you for everything you’ve contributed in 2025 — we look forward to working with you in the new year and continuing to strengthen Birmingham’s early years community, together!

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Photo of several nursery-age children holding Christmas bunting, and smiling at the camera, with a festive border.

As we reach the end of term, we want to take a moment to thank all of our early years colleagues across Birmingham for your dedication, creativity, and commitment 💜

Your work continues to light up children’s lives, and we are grateful for the energy and care you bring every single day.

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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

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

Photo of a room full of engaged early years professionals listening to Professor Chris Pascal speak at the mac (Midlands Arts Centre) in Birmingham.

Photo of Professor Chris Pascal holding a microphone, standing in front of a large screen showing a PowerPoint presentation, speaking to a room full of early years professionals at the mac (Midlands Arts Centre) in Birmingham.

We're looking forward to an energising day ahead with Birmingham #EarlyYears professionals - time together to plan, discuss, and lay the groundwork for the next five years of work across the Birmingham Early Years Networks.

Prof. Chris Pascal opening the day 🎤

#ForwardTogether #Birmingham

Interested in becoming a teacher? Attend a free Get Into Teaching event!
Don’t miss out, sign up to an event today - and be sure to visit the CREC stand on Saturday 22 November 2025 at the Birmingham Conference & Events Centre between 10am- 2:30pm.
buff.ly/9R649RE
#TrainToTeach #GetIntoTeaching

Photo of three teachers chatting in a school setting. An orange graphic overlaid on the photo has the Birmingham City Council logo and the text: Autumn EYC Surgeries, Renewed Ofsted Inspection Toolkit.

Autumn District EYC Surgeries — we’re talking #Ofsted!

Join Birmingham #EarlyYears Consultants for in-person & online sessions focused on the Renewed Inspection Toolkit. Ask questions, share ideas, and connect with your peers.

Find your surgery: www.birminghamearlyyearsnetworks.org/events?tag=D...

To mark the launch of our latest pamphlet, Singing with Young Children, by Paula Lester, we’re hosting a FREE webinar – and you’re invited! 🎉

Join us on Tuesday 2nd December at 7pm GMT with Paula as she explores practice examples of how singing can be used to inspire and teach young children. 🎶

Our newsletter isn’t just for Coalition members. Get sector news, policy insights, research highlights and event updates straight to your inbox.

Sign up here today www.earlyeducationchildcare.org/contact

Our free EYSEND workshops are continuing throughout the Autumn Term!📆

Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills💬👩‍👩‍👧‍👦

Learn more and book your place: speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-profession...

📣 Have your say!

The Early Years Coalition has announced plans to review and update the non-statutory EYFS guidance document Birth to 5 Matters, and they want to hear from professionals across the early years sector.

Survey closes 24th November.

🔗https://tinyurl.com/yc26b8cy

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...

Photo of a child holding a teddy having a plaster applied to their upper arm after having an immunisation. The SCW CHIS (Child Health Information Service) logo is in the top left with text under that says: SCW Improving Immunisation Uptake Team Early Years Project.

Discover how your setting can play a crucial role in increasing #ChildhoodVaccination uptake, particularly for the MMR vaccine, and help safeguard children’s health across our communities.

🔗 Book your session now: tickettailor.com/events/nhssouthcentralandwestcsu/1810823

Photo of a child holding a teddy having a plaster applied to their upper arm after having an immunisation. The SCW CHIS (Child Health Information Service) logo is in the top left with text under that says: SCW Improving Immunisation Uptake Team Early Years Project.

🧒💉 Free Training: Become an Immunisation Champion!

#EarlyYears settings in #Birmingham can book a free, 1-hour online #training session, designed by NHS England and delivered by expert childhood #immunisation clinicians.

📅 Six flexible dates available (Nov 2025 – Feb 2026)
💻 Online via MS Teams

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...

Colourful graphic image that says: Happy Diwali & Bandi Chhor Divas

Happy #Diwali and #BandiChhorDivas to our brilliant early years colleagues and families celebrating across Birmingham 🪔

May your settings sparkle with stories, songs, and sticky glitter. Thank you for lighting up little minds with laughter and learning every single day ✨

Do you work with families of children in #EarlyYears?
Our 'Introduction to speech, language and communication skills in the early years' EYSEND workshop took place in July and the webcast is available now!💻🎞️

Watch here and browse our other workshops👇
https://bit.ly/3UhnG5d

Collage of three photos of Summer Taft, a drama practitioner from The Rep, delivering workshops at Featherstone Nursery in Birmingham. The Rep logo is overlaid on the collage in the top left.

🎭✨ Little learners took centre stage at Featherstone Nursery as The Rep led magical #storytelling & #drama workshops

Children explored movement, voice, and imagination while practitioners gained new tools to support communication & creativity!

👉 www.birminghamearlyyearsnetworks.org/blog/beyn-re...

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

Five Years of Impact: Celebrating the Birmingham Nursery School Collaboration The Birmingham Nursery School Collaboration and Birmingham City Council Early Years Service have been working side by side since 2019 to strengthen early years education across the city. This blog mar...

Now, with a new 5-year plan in place, we’re ready to go even further 🌱🧠🚀🤗🌍

Deepening collaboration, supporting transitions, and boosting communication and language through WellComm.

📖 Read the full story and celebrate our journey so far: bit.ly/5yrsimpact

#FiveYearsOfImpact #BEYN #EarlyYears

🎉 Five years of impact—and we’re just getting started!

Since 2019, we've been working hard to strengthen #EarlyYearsEducation across #Birmingham.

Together, we’ve built a thriving #network, connecting 80% of settings citywide; sharing knowledge, CPD, and cultivating a vibrant learning #community!

In our latest guest blog Dr Sara Bonetti and Dr @nathanarcher.bsky.social explore the potential of an early years professional register: what it could achieve, the questions that still need to be answered, and what we can learn from other sectors.

Read the full piece here:
bit.ly/4obJyLK

Registration is open for the 2025 EYSEND National Seminar: Loving all languages!🌎💬

If you work in early years, join us to learn about supporting and identifying bilingual children with speech and language challenges!

Secure your spot now >> https://t.co/jpShYtNBfn

🗣️ 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/...

Could you help with a Doctoral research project? 🧐

A PhD student based at the University of Cambridge is looking to interview Froebel trained nursery teachers who completed their studies at Froebel College between 1945 to 1999 as part of their Doctoral research. ✨ (1/2)