Graphic with text that says: WE'RE HIRING, Join our team.
To apply, send your CV with a cover letter (max 1,000 words) + two referees to info@heartmidsph.co.uk.
Interviews: w/c 27 April (online)
A great opportunity to support early years practitioners across the Midlands through thoughtful, engaging digital communication.
We’re Hiring – Digital Communications Officer 📣
Key details:
• Freelance, 2 days (16 hrs) per week
• Remote (UK‑based)
• £250/day, 1‑year contract with potential extension
Full role info ➜ bloomsburynurseryschool.co.uk/key-info#join_our_team
Closing date: Mon 13 April, 5pm
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We welcome the Government’s £900m investment into Best Start Family Hubs.👏
Our chief executive, Jane Harris, said: “Giving every child the best start in life is a vital mission."
Click the link to read more. ⬇️ speechandlanguage.org.uk/about-us/new...
Graphic of a child climbing together with explanatatory text about 'scaffolding' which is on the downloadable PDF
✅ New from the EEF: free tool to help early years educators scaffold learning more effectively.
Scaffolding gives children the “just right” level of challenge: not too much, not too little.
2‑page PDF with steps for teams to use everyday here: d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/c...
#edusky
Develop your practice by signing up to the Froebel Trust Online Course! 🤩
Starting this September, we’re offering educators across the UK the chance to join our interactive course. Across the sessions, we’ll cover six themes which are central to a Froebelian approach to early childhood education. 🌿
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...
🧵
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
📣 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 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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🎉 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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