No child left behind

Online, Thursday 26 June 2025, 6.15pm-8.45pm

Free for members; £15 for non-members

At the heart of working in the early years is the belief that all children, without exception, deserve the best possible start in life.

But what does this mean in practice and, given the huge challenges currently facing the early years, how can we as a sector work together to achieve a vision of the future where no child is left behind?

This year’s Alliance annual conference promises to be an uplifting and inspiring virtual event, where we will explore what it really means to put the needs of the child at the heart of early years provision, and look that the practical steps that we as providers can take to provide equity of opportunity to all children, regardless of background, circumstance or level of need.

In light of the ongoing financial pressures facing the early years sector, this year’s event will once again take place virtually to minimise costs for attendees, with tickets once again free for Alliance members and just £15 for non-members.

Attendees can choose to attend one of three seminars. Each seminar is recorded and circulated to all event attendees.

Light up language – Alice Sharp, early years specialist and trainer

Join early years expert Alice Sharp in a completely interactive session which will use poems, rhymes, songs, books and stories to explore the foundation skills of oracy. You will also explore how vocabulary development, tonal variation, clarity of pronunciation and turn-taking can support the learning opportunities you share in your early years setting.

Early steps… to an inclusive setting – Suzy Rowland, founder and CEO of the Happy in School Project

In this engaging and thought-provoking session, Suzy Rowland, founder and CEO of the Happy in School Project, will:

• explore how early years settings can open their doors to all children, particularly those with SEND
• identify key priorities and starting points
  
• share practical tips and suggestions that you can implement into your setting straight away
  
• discuss how you can transform your setting into a place of sanctuary and security for everyone.
  

Supporting children and families experiencing domestic abuse in the early years – Jo Sharpen, consultant

In this seminar, Jo Sharpen, a consultant specialising on the impacts of abuse and trauma on children and young people, will focus on the impact of domestic abuse on children under five and highlight the value of trauma-informed practice for early educators.

Jo will also discuss the Juniper Programme, a group-work programme that she wrote for mothers and children under four who have experienced domestic abuse, which is currently being piloted by the Early Years Alliance in Lewisham, south London.

6:15pm: Conference opens
6:20pm: Dr Melernie Meheux, educational psychologist, certified play therapist and BPS Division of Educational Psychology Committee member
6:35pm: Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate
6:50pm: Neil Leitch, CEO, Early Years Alliance
7:05pm: Q&A
7:25pm: Belle Tutaev Lifetime Achievement Award
7:45pm-8pm: Comfort break
8pm-8.45pm: Seminars

Find out more, including how to book your space, at bit.ly/U5conference2025.