Theresa Perry, Early Years Consultant at Birmingham City Council, explores the importance of playwork and out-of-school provision.

Find out more about the National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL), a new fully-funded DfE programme for early years professionals.

Chris Rumney (RN RSCN), Paediatric Nurse Educator at BCHC+ introduces Birmingham’s Medical Needs in Early Years Service; supporting the sector to meet the needs of children with common chronic medical conditions.

Contact is a charity that aims to provide the best support and guidance for families with disabled children. They provide online, printed and helpline advice and run national programmes across the UK, including FREE sessions, workshops and parenting courses.

An update from the Early Years and Childcare Inclusion Team regarding the Childminder Inclusion Network (CIN), including new staff introductions and online networking sessions for 2022/23.

Birmingham City Council Early Years and Childcare Service are currently undertaking two surveys on the Tax-Free Childcare scheme, one for childcare providers and one for parents/carers. Responses will help improve access to childcare and support other families in Birmingham — Have your say! Closing date is Friday 24 June, for both surveys.

From September 2021, a group of professionals committed to improving children's outcomes through a consistent transition approach have been meeting to develop the "Birmingham Transition Approach".

Dr Valerie Daniel, Headteacher of Washwood Heath Nursery School and contributing author to the new book Early Childhood Theories Today, shares her thoughts on the impact and influence of Early Years pioneers and theories on today’s Early Years praxeologists.

Karen Jones, acting Head of Early Years SEND and Early Years Inclusion Support (EYIS) for Birmingham, shares an update on behalf of the Local Authority EY SEND Leads Group on meeting the needs of children with SEND, prior to transition to reception.

The Department for Education (DfE) has issued a number of COVID-19 updates at the start of January 2022 that are relevant to the Early Years Sector. We have summarised the latest information and guidance in this blog post.

The latest updates, advice, and guidance for education and childcare settings from Birmingham City Council (BCC) and the Department for Education (DfE) following the implementation of the government’s ‘Plan B COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan’.

Sally Leese, Chair of Birmingham Early Years Forum, introduces the Forum and explains more about what it does and what it means for you as an Early Years professional in Birmingham.