2025 Workshops highlights

Unlock the creative potential of recycled materials in your early years setting. This hands-on workshop will explore how everyday items can be transformed into inspiring, open-ended resources that promote creativity, problem-solving, and imaginative play. Through practical examples and interactive discussions, you’ll discover how to design engaging learning opportunities that are sustainable, cost-effective, and aligned with the EYFS framework.

 Whether you’re looking to refresh your continuous provision or spark new ideas for adult-guided activities, this workshop will leave you with a toolkit of creative provocations to enhance your environment and inspire young learners.

In this workshop, Busy Bees will be exploring how to build a fulfilling and successful career in Early Years. We’ll discuss the strategies we currently use, highlight key examples of best practices in our field, and identify any gaps in skills or development opportunities. Beyond qualifications and pay enhancements, we will also focus how we upskill our teams to ensure they feel empowered and continually provide high-quality education for children and their families.

How to achieve outstanding learning and development for 3-5-year-olds. A deep dive into teaching environments and how children thrive through empowerment and responsibility. The objectives of school readiness and the importance of parent partnership.

This session will be very interactive. We will engage in eight little rhymes, songs and poems. Focus will be on sharing them with Babies and Toddlers.  We will highlight the need to develop skills of concentration, focus and attention through engagement. Using the interaction to build speaking and listening skills and celebrate the learning of language.

Early years settings have a long history of welcoming animals into their environments. Research shows that interactions with animals can help young children develop emotional resilience, boost self-esteem, and foster a sense of responsibility. 

In recent years there has been a rapid growth in the number of dogs visiting schools and settings across the UK. Dogs can act as a non-judgmental presence, encouraging reluctant speakers to communicate and engage in learning activities. Their calming influence can support children in managing emotions, reducing anxiety, and enhancing overall wellbeing.

This seminar explores the potential benefits for young children, especially regarding wellbeing, with examples from early years, primary and special educational sectors. We will discuss strategies to enable safe, happy, and engaging relationships between children, dogs, and adults.

We highlight practical considerations that need attention so that dogs, as well as children, enjoy these experiences, creating a positive partnership for all.

We hope that some real dogs will be on hand to demonstrate how a play-based approach to these interventions can be enriching for all concerned. Get ready for waggy tails and fluffy fur!

Using a variety of weaving techniques and materials, you will leave this workshop with a range of ideas to enrich your environment and seamlessly weave into your early years’ curriculum. From natural materials to hoops, cards, and other creative resources, you’ll explore the many possibilities that weaving offers. Rooted in Froebelian principles, this workshop will provide hands-on experience and reflection on how weaving can offer deep engagement and imagination. Not only will you take away fresh ideas (and something you have made!), but you will also gain valuable insights to enhance your practice!

Where to begin talk about the Nursery world show and a story of how I have built my vast network?
 

This session will allow the audience to experience the 3D immersive training simulations created by the Early Years Alliance in partnership with Metaverse Ltd.

The current childcare funding system is failing children from lower-income families. Join this interactive session with Save the Children, including parents and policy experts, to identify ways that early year's settings, Local Authorities and children’s charities can work together to make sure childcare is at the heart of tackling child poverty.

The importance of attendance in the early years.: what might be the consequences if children don’t attend for their safety, wellbeing, and school attainment?

This workshop will focus on providing an experiences for attendees, with interactions that are meaningful and impactful for all, whatever your role on education. Montessori illustrated her keen enthusiasm for observation as a practice and not just as a recording opportunity. It is from this premise that we seek to introduce the idea that observation in action is an integral part of educational activity.

This workshop is an opportunity to explore and deepen understanding of two key ideas for the play of babies and young toddlers; the treasure basket for sitting babies and Heuristic play for mobile toddlers. In the workshop you will be able to explore the objects and materials and discuss how to implement these play opportunities according to Goldschmied’s Froebelian principles.

Dr Gemma Goldenberg will explain what's happening in young children's brains when they try to pay attention and offer practical tips for supporting children who struggle to focus and engage.

This will be an open discussion where delegates are invited to bring their questions and contribute their experiences and critical reflections to the conversation.

Join Adam Marycz (TTS Resources), Shanti Flynn (Storal) and Angelica Celinska (The Voice of Early Childhood) who will be on hand to unpick the challenge of creating and implementing an agile and responsive curriculum to ensure all children are given the tools they need to grow and flourish. As educators, we often enhance our provision to meet the unique needs of our children, considering their stage of development, next steps and the knowledge and skills built within the curriculum. But do we always consider whether our curriculum needs to change too?

With practical suggestions, Rachel will talk about the Art of Playfulness as a self-care strategy and its personal relevance to you as a caregiver to young children. This isn’t about how to play with children. It’s about how being playful in day-to-day life enhances your mood, reduces your stress and anxiety, and enhances your practice.