Join two of the UK’s leading early years experts, Jan Dubiel and Helen Battelley, for a thought-provoking conference that will transform how you approach early writing in your setting.
Mythbusting Early Childhood: Writing takes place on 9th March 2026 at Taunton Rugby Club and is specifically designed for educators in maintained nursery schools, nursery classes, and Reception settings who want to move beyond assumptions and embrace evidence-based practice.
A conference that challenges conventional thinking
The recent DfE Writing Framework has sparked meaningful conversations about what children need to become confident writers. But are we asking the right questions? Are widespread classroom practices aligned with what developmental research actually tells us?
This dynamic training day will help you critically examine current approaches to early writing. You’ll explore how gross motor development, core stability, and sensory integration create the groundwork for sustainable mark-making. Drawing on the latest evidence from wider ECEC experts and grounded in the latest research, we’ll explore what truly supports children’s writing readiness, not just at the table, but from the ground up and with an awareness of how the transcriptional and the compositional effectively combine.
What you’ll gain
By the end of this conference, you’ll be able to:
- Critically interrogate the phrase “ready to write” and identify what children genuinely need versus what’s assumed.
- Understand the motor hierarchy that underpins writing development—from proximal to distal, from core stability to fine motor control.
- Evaluate common practices (including worksheets) against developmental evidence and redesign learning experiences accordingly.
- Plan a curriculum that honours both the transcriptional and compositional dimensions of writing.
- Create writing environments that are developmentally appropriate and support embodied learning.
- Advocate confidently for approaches grounded in research rather than tradition or pressure.
You’ll leave with practical strategies, a curriculum-aligned action plan, and the knowledge to champion what truly serves children’s development.
Meet your expert trainers
Jan Dubiel
Jan Dubiel is a nationally and internationally recognised specialist in Early Childhood Education, recently identified by the Times Educational Supplement as one of the ten most influential people in British education.
With experience as a Nursery, Reception and Year 1 teacher and Senior Leader, Jan went on to be appointed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to lead on the management of the Foundation Stage Profile, with national responsibility for its implementation and moderation. He later became Head of National and International Development at Early Excellence, where he developed EExBA (used by 12,000 schools as a Baseline Assessment) and other widely-used assessment tools.
Jan was part of the expert group advising the DfE on the revised EYFS in 2021 and supported the implementation of the EYPDP in 2023-2025. His work focuses on curriculum development, assessment, and helping practitioners translate developmental research into meaningful practice. He’s a sought-after conference speaker and author, including “Effective Assessment in the EYFS” (SAGE, 2014).
Helen Battelley
Helen Battelley is an internationally renowned consultant, trainer, author and speaker in physical activity and movement in Early and Primary Education, with an MA in Early Childhood Physical Activity.
Helen’s movement philosophy centres on embedding movement within the curriculum to enable genuine embodied learning. Her practical, accessible approach increases practitioners’ confidence and motivation to create their own movement activities that support learning across all areas—not just physical development.
Drawing on her deep understanding of how young children learn through movement, Helen helps practitioners understand the critical foundations that gross motor development provides for all later learning, including writing. Staff consistently report that her sessions “reignite a spark” and transform their practice.
Why this matters now
With increased focus on early writing outcomes and ongoing debates about developmentally appropriate practice, this conference offers the evidence-informed clarity you need. Whether you’re designing curriculum, planning provision, or advocating for your children’s needs, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to make decisions that honour how children actually develop.
This fully-funded conference is brought to you by Bristol & Beyond Stronger Practice Hub and South West Stronger Practice Hub, serving early years educators across the south west region.
Places are limited – register now to secure your spot for this exceptional learning opportunity.
View full programme details and register.
If you’re based in the South West SPH areas, please register via their webpage.
