Case Studies
Case Study – Outdoor Learning for Childminders
In this case study, Bristol childminder Emily from Emily's Little Adventurers shares how attending our Spring Outdoor Learning Session at Ashton Court, with her mindees alongside her, inspired her to plan outings more carefully, set up a bug hunt station in her garden...
Case Study – Tuning into Two-Year-Olds
In this case study, Tawanda Tongogara, Early Years Practitioner at The Limes Nursery School, shares her experience of the Tuning in to Two-Year-Olds programme. She reflects on moving from the three- and four-year-old room into the twos, learning to slow down and...
Case Study – Emotion Coaching
Amber, a Teacher from St Pauls Nursery School in Bristol recently attended the Emotion Coaching continual professional development programme. Emotion Coaching uses moments of heightened emotion and resulting behaviour to guide and teach the child and young person...
Case Study – Sensory Processing
Amy Marsh, Head of Nurseries and Preschools at The Priory Learning Trust recently attended the Sensory Processing Immersion Morning at Springboard Opportunity Group, partner setting of the Bristol and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub and SEND network lead. Amy's...
Case Study – Getting it Right for Twos
This case study explores the professional development journey of Sarah Ellis, Nursery Manager at Bristol Children’s Playhouse, a charity-led setting in Eastville, Bristol, and her commitment to enhancing provision for two-year-olds. Sarah identified the need to...
Case Study – Implementing the ShREC Approach in Early Years Practice
Will Purcell is an Early Years Teacher at Archfield House Nursery in Bristol. He works with 1 & 2 year olds and has been working in early years for 13 years. Here, he reflects upon implementing the ShREC approach in his interactions in practice and role modelling...
Mini INSET and Staff Room Sessions
Mini INSET Session: Sleep and Rest
Sleep and rest are essential to babies’ and young children’s development. They support learning, physical health, emotional regulation and wellbeing, and rest is also a right: Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises every child’s right to...
Mini INSET Session: Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of Black history, heritage and culture, and 2026 marks its 39th year in the UK. This year's theme, Honouring Our Communities, encourages us to recognise not only well-known figures, but the Black people whose everyday...
Mini INSET Session: Lets Think About Books, Belonging and Representation
Books are often seen as a straightforward way to promote equality, diversity and inclusion. They can support children's sense of identity and belonging while broadening their understanding of the world and the people around them. But representation on a shelf is not...
Mini INSET Session: The Characteristics of Effective Learning
The Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL) describe the behaviours children use as they learn, including playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically. Supporting children to develop these dispositions is at the heart of...
Mini INSET Session: Celebrating Festivals
This comprehensive 1-hour staff meeting template guides early years practitioners through critically reflecting on how festival celebrations are planned and experienced within their setting. The resource challenges surface-level approaches to cultural events,...
Mini INSET Session: From Routine to Relationship – The Power of Care
This comprehensive 1-hour staff meeting template guides early years practitioners through transforming everyday care routines into meaningful relationship-building opportunities. The resource challenges the perception that physical care tasks interrupt teaching,...
Early Years Spotlight
Early Years Spotlight – Screen Use
In this Early Years Spotlight, we're looking at resources around screen use. Nearly 98% of two-year-olds watch content on screens daily, and the early years are a critical period of rapid brain development, so settings play a vital role in supporting healthy habits....
Early Years Spotlight – Potty Training
In this Early Years Spotlight, we're looking at resources around potty training. There are 40 different skills a child needs to pull together to become potty trained - and a consistent approach between home and setting makes all the difference. Explore policy...
Making Sense Of…
A Manager’s Guide to Making Use of the Evidence Store
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is a charity that aims to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged children by providing evidence-based resources for educators and leaders. In 2023, funded by the DfE, EEF launched its Early Years Evidence Store. The store...
Vodcast: A Walk Through the EEF Early Years Evidence Store
A Professional Conversation About Evidence-Informed Practice The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has created an Evidence Store, which includes six key themes with evidence-informed...
