A Phonics for Mathematics? by Robin Taylor
In this blog post by Robin Taylor, Associate Head of St Pauls Nursery School and Specialist Leader in Early Mathematics, he explores what really underpins children’s mathematical development. Drawing on research from the Centre for Early Mathematics Learning and the Erikson Early Math Collaborative, Robin unpicks the foundational concepts, spatial reasoning and mathematical language that help children learn to count, and asks what a rich, playful “palette of provision” looks like in practice.
Mini INSET Session: Black History Month
In this staff meeting template, explore how to plan and celebrate Black History Month meaningfully through three practical activities, including reflection on your current approach, worked examples and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk on the danger of a single story. Designed to fit into 1 to 2 hours, it supports your team to move beyond tokenism and consider what will remain in your everyday practice once October is over.
The Right to Belong: Embedding Inclusion into PSED by Simone Barnes
In this blog post, Simone Barnes explores why belonging sits at the heart of personal, social and emotional development. She looks at representation in the early years workforce and in children’s books, and shares team reflection questions to help settings tell every child: you belong here.
Launching Bristol & Beyond SPH’s 2026-2027 CPD Programme
The Bristol & Beyond Stronger Practice Hub is delighted to launch our 2026 to 2027 programme of fully funded professional development. Almost 100 activities across 12 subject areas, running from September through to August, are now open for booking, and the new brochure is ready to download.
Stronger Practice Hubs Joint Summer CPD Offer 2026
Stronger Practice Hubs from across England have pooled their summer offer into one programme. More than twenty fully-funded online sessions running from late July to the end of August, covering babies, communication and language, maths, SEND, nutrition, leadership and childminding. Open to all early years practitioners and childminders.
Privacy and Safeguarding During Intimate Care by Leila Garau Taylor
Reflective Practice Lead and DSL Leila Garau Taylor explores what the updated EYFS safeguarding requirements around privacy during intimate care mean in practice, reflecting on how we can balance children’s dignity and feelings with safeguarding, and how everyday routines teach children about consent, body autonomy and respectful relationships.
Beyond the Settling-In Period: Building Lasting Parent Partnerships to Support Children by Liz Willcox
Childminder and former primary teacher Liz Willcox explores what genuine partnership with parents looks like beyond the settling-in period, sharing practical insights on building trust, navigating harder conversations, engaging families who may find it difficult to connect, and making communication truly two-way.
Webinar: Sensory Food Challenges and Restrictive Eaters with Catherine Jeans
In this recorded session, Catherine Jeans joins our SEND Network to explore sensory food challenges and restrictive eating, from understanding ARFID and what else might be going on for restrictive eaters to practical strategies like graduated exposure and food chaining that help broaden children’s diets gently, without pressure or judgement.
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