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Foundations First: Leading Excellence in
the Early Years

Strong Foundations, Lasting Success: Securing Essential Knowledge and Skills in the Early Years

Join us for an inspiring Early Excellence national conference centred on developing Curriculum and Foundational Knowledge in the Early Years.
The Early Years are a precious and powerful phase of education, where children begin to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and dispositions that shape future learning. It is vital that School Leaders and EYFS Leaders ensure a high-quality  curriculum is planned with clarity of intent, rooted in key learning and implemented effectively alongside a rich learning environment, so that every child can flourish and succeed throughout their educational journey.

Foundations First: Leading Excellence in the Early Years brings together leading experts and practitioners for a rich day of professional learning, reflection and inspiration.

Dates & Locations

Tuesday 10th November 2026
The Village Hotel Manchester Bury, BL9 7BQ

Thursday 12th November
DoubleTree by Hilton, Nottingham, NG8 6AZ

Wednesday 18th November
Felbridge Gatwick Hotel & Spa, Felbridge, RH19 2BH

  • Arrive: 9:00 am
  • Conference starts: 9:30 am
  • Conference closes: 4:00 pm

Price

£145.00 (exc. VAT) per person
Free parking at all venues. Lunch and refreshments are provided.

Keynote Speaker

Anna Caulfield

Anna is an accomplished EYFS and KS1 Consultant who offers expert support to school leaders, drawing on her extensive experience in primary education. She has driven school improvement and managed strategic change, with a passion for leading in curriculum development.

Her expertise spans strategic planning and leadership development, underpinned by a strong academic foundation in education.

Workshop Sessions

Every delegate will participate in three interactive workshops.

The overarching message throughout these workshops is that the environment is not simply where learning happens. It is a teaching tool that enables adults to teach foundational knowledge, concepts, language, and learning behaviours, through rich, purposeful provision.

Effective Early Years practice begins with understanding children as capable, curious learners. High-quality outcomes emerge when:

  • Children engage in rich experiences within enabling environments.
  • Adults understand how children learn through play, exploration and sustained engagement.
  • Practitioners intentionally extend learning through skilful interactions.

Together these create a pedagogical approach that develops children’s knowledge, skills, dispositions and executive function, laying the foundations for lifelong learning.

Individual workshop details can be found below.

Conference Agenda

 

9:00 AM Arrival, registration, coffee & pastries
9:30 AM Welcome Phil Armstrong/Sarah Carey
10:00 AM Keynote 1 Anna Caulfield
10:45 AM Coffee break
11:15 AM Workshop Session 1
12:00 PM Workshop Session 2
12:45 PM Lunch
1:45 PM Keynote 2 Guest Speaker from local MAT
2:30 PM Workshop Session 3
3:15 PM Coffee & cake
3:30 PM Panel discussion
4:00 PM Close

Workshops

Key Takeaways

  • Clear perspective on creating a curriculum rooted in best practice and driven by Foundational Knowledge.
  • Fresh inspiration for strengthening curriculum, provision and practice.
  • Practical ideas to support immediate improvement back in school.
  • A clearer understanding of what high-quality Early Years learning looks like.
  • Greater confidence to lead change and support colleagues.
  • Renewed energy and ambition to champion excellence in the Early Years.

Audience
This conference is ideal for leaders and practitioners who are committed to strengthening curriculum, developing provision and building shared confidence across their teams.

  • Headteachers and senior leaders with responsibility for EYFS
  • EYFS Leaders, Phase Leaders and Curriculum Leaders
  • Nursery and Reception teachers
  • Leaders working to strengthen transition into Key Stage 1

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