iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr Julian Grenier CBE @juliangrenier.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

✅ New from the EEF: free tool to help early years educators scaffold learning more effectively. Scaffolding gives children the “just right” level of challenge: not too much, not too little. 2‑page PDF with steps for teams to use everyday here: d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/c... #edusky

Graphic of a child climbing together with explanatatory text about 'scaffolding' which is on the downloadable PDF

Froebel Trust @froebeltrust.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Develop your practice by signing up to the Froebel Trust Online Course! 🤩 Starting this September, we’re offering educators across the UK the chance to join our interactive course. Across the sessions, we’ll cover six themes which are central to a Froebelian approach to early childhood education. 🌿

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

The EEF Exchange is also open to educators working in early years (including childminders)! It offers a low-pressure way to: - reflect on your work and explain your thinking - hear from other educators - build confidence in engaging with and talking about educational research Find out more 👇

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Introducing our Baby Room Network 👶 A dedicated space for #BabyRoom practitioners to deepen their knowledge, strengthen their practice, and connect with others across the sector. Our first two sessions will explore the nutritional needs of babies and under‑2s: www.eventbrite.com/cc/baby-room...

HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

January Networking at HEART ❄️🤝🌳💚 January might be chilly, but we’ve got plenty of networking opportunities to keep you warm! As we step into 2026, we're kicking off the year with a full programme of meetings designed to inspire, support, and strengthen your practice... 🧵

Graphic for HEART Midlands EYSPH Network Meetings January 2026 - close up photo of a hand circling a date on a calendar with snowflakes in the background and a graphic of a person wrapped up in winter woolies cradling a hot drink in their mittened hands.

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Merry Christmas from HEART 🎄✨ Thank you for all you do to keep children at the heart of your practice throughout the year 💚 As we approach the end of 2025, we express our heartfelt appreciation for the incredible dedication, curiosity, and care you bring to the early years sector. 1/2

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

✨ Case Study Spotlight ✨ How do children move from reciting numbers to truly understanding them? Our latest case study, “How Many Altogether?”, shows how #CountingCollections & #MarkMaking supported 4‑yr‑old Evie’s number sense. 👉 www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/wm/hear... #EarlyYearsMaths

Graphic with text that says: How many altogether? A Counting Collections Case Study with the HEART Midlands Early Years Stronger Practice Hub and Counting Collections logos, with close-up photos of children using Counting Collections resources.

Warwickshire County Council @warwickshirecc.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

🎄 Day 17 of our Christmas countdown 🎄 Today we’re opening the door to recruiting and supporting Warwickshire’s childminders 👶✨ For more information, visit: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/advent-calen... #WarwickshireTogether

Tales Toolkit @talestoolkit.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

The first time ever sharing ALL our webinars for free! 🎁 Our gift to passionate early years practitioners this Christmas. Find out more >> loom.ly/AyM7dTQ #earlyyearspractitioners #talestoolkit #eyfs #ece #earlychildhoodeducators

Word Aware @wordaware.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Wow! When an experienced teacher writes a summary of our work (without any input from us) and it is so spot on we know we are getting it right. Thank you to Claire Stanley from Goodway Nursery School and @midlandssph.bsky.social. Concept Cat is now one of @theeef.bsky.social's promising programmes!

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Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Centre for Research in Early Childhood @crecuk.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

CREC Learning Circle (the last one of the year!) Thursday 4th Dec- Hybrid 4.30pm-5.30pm. This month we welcome Eleanor Milligan UEA - Telling the Story of Research: Using Storybooks to Support Children’s Understanding, Consent, and Ongoing Assent buff.ly/ykHWTHD #CREC #LearningCircle

Education Endowment Foundation @theeef.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

📣 New blog alert! Want to get the most from Pupil Premium? Check out this deep dive on our updated guide, from diagnosing needs to delivering changes that stick. Read here:

tinyurl.com

Pupil Premium in practice: Using the EEF guide to support…

Using the EEF Guide to Support Disadvantaged Pupils

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

🤝 November Networking at HEART 🌳💚 Connect with peers and strengthen your practice at one of our upcoming #network meetings. All events are free and tailored for #EarlyYears professionals. Browse and book now: www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/wm/hear...

Graphic for HEART Midlands EYSPH Network Meetings November 2025 - close up photo of a hand circling a date on a calendar.

Education Endowment Foundation @theeef.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

🚨 Invitation to tender! The EEF is funding a review of how early years educators support children’s language and communication. We’d love to hear from research teams with experience in using mixed-methods or qualitative approaches. Find out more 👉 tinyurl.com/62a4xdsn

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

🧮 Want to boost early maths in your setting? Join the #MathsChampions programme - 12 months of expert training, tools & resources to help early years practitioners build confidence and boost children’s maths from the start! 🔗 Find out more: www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/wm/hear...

Flyer for the Maths Champions programme developed by NDNA. Text says: Improve children's outcomes by three months through becoming a Maths Champion in your setting. Express your interest here: www.bit.ly/HEARTeoi

Ark Schools @arkschools.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Molly Devlin (Director of Early Years) and Vickee Twort (Executive Primary Head at Ark Victoria Academy) explore why boosting attendance in the early years is critical - and share four strategies that are already making a measurable impact. 💭 Read their @theeef.bsky.social blog: tinyurl.com/373asuce

HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

📋💬 DfE Early Years Workforce Survey How do you check #EarlyYears #qualifications? What works well? What could be better? This short survey (5 mins) is your chance to share honest feedback that will help shape future support for our sector. 🔗 dferesearch.fra1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

📣 West Midlands early years professionals - don’t miss the #OfstedBigConversation on Thu 7 Nov, 10:00–12:00 🗣️ Open dialogue, sector updates, shared learning 🌍 Join in person or online 🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/west-midla... Let’s shape the future together! #EarlyYears #WestMidlands #SectorVoices

eventbrite.co.uk

West Midlands Ofsted Big Conversation 7th November 2025

The West Midlands Ofsted Big Conversation is delighted to be running its next live event in Birmingham. Join us for some interesting chat.

Education Endowment Foundation @theeef.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

🗣️ Do you work in the early years? We want to hear from YOU! Take a quick 10-min survey on Early Years Pupil Premium funding to help shape future support. 💷 £50 for an optional follow-up interview! 🔗 Join here: www.iffresearch.com/...

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

🎉 West Mids Early Years Professionals—come and join the HEART #NurtureNetwork 🤝 🌱 Session 1: Transition & Learning 📅 Thu 25 Sept | 🕙 10am–12pm or 🌙 6–8pm Let’s explore how transitions shape development—and how you can support them with care. 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nurture-ne... 1/2

eventbrite.co.uk

Nurture Network Session 1: Transition and Learning

Session 1: 'The importance of transition in children’s lives' and 'Children’s learning is understood developmentally'

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Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

It's #NationalInclusionWeek! Make your classroom more inclusive: learn how to spot and support children with #DLD in our upcoming webinar👇 speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-…

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Let your practice GROW this summer 🌱🌻 Join Growing Practice—a national series of free webinars from Stronger Practice Hubs across the UK. 🤝 Open to all #EarlyYearsEducators 🎓 Practical, evidence-informed sessions 🔗 Book now 👉 www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/wm/hear... #EarlyYears #CPD

Photo of the back of four young children holding hands, running in a sunny meadow with text that says "Growing Practice Summer Webinars 2025"

HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

🎉 Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs Are Making a Real Difference! An independent evaluation has found that the Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs programme, which launched in 2022, is boosting outcomes across the country—especially in more deprived areas. 🧵

Graphic quote card that says: "Stronger Practice Hubs have been commended as a model of supporting workforce development that is peer-led, responsive and inclusive with positive outcomes for the workforce and children." Alice Jones Bartoli, NCB Deputy Director, Education and Early Years

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Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Word Aware @wordaware.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

The @theeef.bsky.social evaluation report of our Concept Cat approach from RAND Europe is out now. TLDR: Concept Cat helped Early Years children to learn conceptual vocabulary and maths. Read the full report here: educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/new-eef...

educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk

New EEF evaluations strengthen evidence on effective early years…

EEF publishes findings from evaluations of seven different early years programmes

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Supporting Self-Regulation in the Early Years 🧠💖🙂 📅 Wed 13 Aug | 🕙 10–11am or 6–7pm Interactive session for #EarlyYears professionals. Learn practical tools to support emotions, relationships, and independence 🚀✨ BOOK NOW 👉 www.eventbrite.com/e/supporting... #EYFS #EarlyYearsCPD

Graphic collage image for Supporting Self-Regulation in the Early Years CPD - children lying in a circle making lots of different faces, an EY practitioner plays with a child in nursery, a child holds three different paper smiley faces in their palm.

National Children's Bureau @ncb.org.uk · 09/07/2025

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Positive early experiences contribute to better happier childhood teenage years & improved life chances as disabled adults. @cdctweets have a new guide & training to support early years providers & practitioners tinyurl.com/4fymd7xu

Colourful image with National Children's Bureau and Council for Disabled Children logos that says 'New guide and training package for early years providers on the disability duties in the Equality Act'

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Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Early support changes everything. We're working with @theeef.bsky.social to trial our Early Talk Boost programme in early years settings. Help children struggling with talking & understanding words thrive. Learn more & sign up: speechandlanguage.org.uk/.../early-ta...

A young child smiles while playing with picture cards at a table with an adult. On the left, bold text reads: “Take part in our Early Talk Boost research project! In partnership with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).” The design includes bright colours and playful elements to appeal to early years settings.

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

✨NEW✨ Stronger Practice Insights: Working with Children under Two A comprehensive collection of materials curated from Hubs nationwide, complemented by links to the #EYFS framework, further research, and online resources. 📥 Download free via our website! #EarlyYears #UnderTwos

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

📢 Early years practitioners—your voice matters! The DfE is reviewing space requirements in childcare settings. Help shape the future, including outdoor spaces. 🗓️ Deadline: 11 July 2025 📝 Respond now: bit.ly/407oImO #EarlyYears #EYFSConsultation #HaveYourSay

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

🌍 Ready to take climate action in your #EarlyYears setting? Join Emma Baines and the West Midlands Climate Ambassadors Hub for a 2-hour online session—network, plan, and leave with key steps for sustainability 🌱 📅 Don’t miss out—start your Climate Action Plan today Sign up: bit.ly/4l4s4zk

Graphic images of hands around a globe, young children in the garden, and a young child planting a seedling alongside the HEART Early Years Stronger Practice Hub and Climate Ambassadors logos

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HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Congratulations to Alison Hanson of Ally's House Childcare (Leamington Spa), on her 'West Midlands Childminder of the Year' award at the Coram PACEY Regional Childminder Awards 2025 🏆 Alison is a fantastic childminder and firm friend of the HEART Midlands Early Years SPH 🌳💚 @corampacey.bsky.social

Graphic with a photo of Alison Hansen of Ally's House Childcare holding her certificate. Text on graphic says: coram pacey WEST MIDLANDS Childminder of the Year 2025. ALISON HANSEN - Ally's House Childcare

Education Endowment Foundation @theeef.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

📣 Calling all educators! We’re looking for passionate people like you to share your insights and experiences as part of our community of educators, the EEF Exchange. Help make sure our work stays relevant and grounded in the real world.  Apply: ow.ly/UtL450VCmn5

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Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Birmingham Early Years Networks @beynetworks.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

📢 Early Years Professionals – Have Your Say! LGA Rising Needs in Early Years Provider Survey 2025: Share your insights on how children's needs are evolving in early education. 🕒 10 mins 📅 Deadline: Wed 14 May 🔒 Anonymous & confidential 🔗 smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EarlyYearsNeedsProfessionalsSurvey/

HEART Midlands Early Years SPH @midlandssph.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

📢✨ Good News! ✨📢 The Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs programme has been extended until March 2026 🙌 We are excited to continue this vital work across the West Midlands region! Join our mailing list to keep up-to-date: eepurl.com/ja8so6

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Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Education Endowment Foundation @theeef.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

Today, we’ve added two new approaches to our Early Years Evidence Store: ✍️Interactive writing, and, 🧼Self care. In this blog, @juliangrenier.bsky.social, explores how educators can support the development of interactive writing in their setting. ⏬ ⏬ 1/3

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Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Education Endowment Foundation @theeef.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

“This approach can help children to develop their expressive language, encouraging them to think aloud and rehearse what they want to say.” Read: eef.li/SMxb4a 2/3

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Reposted by HEART Midlands Early Years SPH

Education Endowment Foundation @theeef.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

You can explore the two new approaches and a host of other evidence-informed engaging content in our Early Years Evidence Store: tinyurl.com/yex6repu 3/3