Professional learning and reflective practice sit at the heart of BEYN. Find out how this combination helps teams grow great practice across the city.

Summer time brings wonderful opportunities for outdoor learning, exploration and play — but it also brings specific risks that early years practitioners must anticipate and manage.

From packed transition events to a city‑wide shared book, Birmingham’s early years community is working together to ensure every child steps into Reception feeling known, supported and ready to thrive.

Stephnie Kettle, Quality, Impact & Outcomes Officer at Birmingham City Council, explores how intentional, evidence‑informed use of EYPP funding can strengthen practice, improve communication and language, and make a meaningful difference for children who need it most.

Louise Wilde, EYFS teacher at St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School in Birmingham, shares how they transformed a concrete outdoor area into The Nest: a small, nature-based space to support wellbeing, communication, and early science.

Starting school is one of those big childhood moments — exciting, full of possibility, and sometimes a little bit wobbly. That’s why, this year, we’re doing something simple but powerful…

Drawing on Birmingham practice and network insights, this blog explores everyday and milestone transitions, the role of relationships, and how sensitive support “lays the foundations for positive feelings towards the many other transitions children will face through life.”

Following our recent session with Debi Keyte-Hartland exploring Loose Parts for Rich Communication, here she discusses how loose parts and aesthetics act as powerful activators of children’s learning.

Following our recent session exploring the ‘Power and Pleasures of Play’, Chris Pascal shares her thoughts on the importance of reflective pedagogy and the importance of play.

Ever found yourself wondering what to do next after a WellComm screening, or how best to support a child with emerging speech and language needs? Birmingham’s relaunched SLT Advice Line is here to help.

Now in its fourth successful year, BEYN has continued its inspiring collaboration with The REP Theatre, delivering story-based workshops to early years settings across Birmingham.

The Birmingham Nursery School Collaboration and Birmingham City Council Early Years Service have been working side by side since 2019 to strengthen early years education across the city. This blog marks five years of shared success—and introduces the exciting next phase of our work together.