Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Maths Champions As part of NDNA's recruitment of settings for the Maths Champions programme, we are holding a number of information sessions. Led by our team of expert Early Years Advisors, these sessions will provide a comprehensive explanation of the programme, the eligibility criteria for settings to take part, and the commitment involved. There is also an opportunity for settings to ask direct questions to the Early Years Advisors, followed by clear instructions of next steps and how to sign up. Maths Champions Information Sessions - NDNA Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

The benefits of outdoor play Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Deysbrook Childminding Network By Tracie Dowling My name is Tracie Dowling and I have been a childminder for over 32 years and I live in Anfield Liverpool. I am also part of the strategic team at Liverpool City Region and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub (EYSPH) and support childminders within the Region. My role is to be a point of call to support the childminders, signpost them to early years funded support programmes and link in with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) to promote the Early Years Evidence store and Early Years Tool kit. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/ The Stronger Practice Hub has funded a Childminder Network drop In at the Deysbrook Village Centre. https://www.deysbrook-vc.co.uk/ This provides the local childminders with a venue to meet up weekly with their minded children, link to myself and each other to share good practice and access face to face support. The childminders and children enjoy attending the drop-in sessions as this supports good practice by giving the children experiences to gain valuable social skills like sharing, taking turns, communication, and cooperation by interacting with others children. Having access to larger group activities such as music and movement and craft time also provides opportunities to develop language skills, motor skills, and overall confidence through play-based learning and exposure to larger group activities and toys and helping with preparing for school transition. The Drop in provides a venue for childminder and child-based training opportunities and a space for childminders to connect and build a community with each other. Over the last few months, the childminders and children have enjoyed the Sustainability Goal bitesize sessions that I have facilitated. https://sdgs.un.org/goals We have focused on one goal each week, for example week 1, we focused on Goal 1 ‘No Poverty’. We all sat together on the carpet and read the story ‘The Three Little Pigs’ we discussed the different types of housing and what it’s like to be homeless. We thought about what the safest house would be and which would have strong foundations that can withstand challenges due to global warming. I provided the children with an activity using wooden ‘Three Little Pig’ story props to decorate using crayons and recyclable materials. At the end of the session, I gave each childminder an information pack explaining why I chose the activity, how I incorporate the goals within my setting, extra reading materials / information around the Sustainability Goals. The following week before we started the next focused activity, we discussed the previous goal and how and what the children did at their childminders setting to include ‘poverty’. One child told me she made a Den, but she got upset because one of the children pulled off the blanket. I suggested next time they use pegs to see if the den stayed up longer. She told me her childminder made another den out of a big sturdy box and this was fun. Another child had used their props to tell the story again. This feedback from the children was invaluable and makes the time I spend putting the activities together all worthwhile. Anne Wrigley a childminder of the Deysbrook Drop in provided me with some amazing feedback. She said by attending the drop in and accessing support gave her confidence when she had her latest OFSTED inspection. By taking part in the bite sized Sustainability Goals awareness made her realise she was already promoting sustainability but hadn’t realised this. Since attending the sessions, she now takes the children to the local charity shop to donate and purchase items and every few weeks she buys wool to knit squares with the children to make blankets for the homeless. Anne and the children go on a trip to St Luke’s church to donate food for families who are less fortunate. During Annes previous OFSTED inspection, the inspector commented on the lack of extra training. In this inspection the inspector said it was evident Anne had been very proactive extending her continuous professional development. Anne explained to the inspector about the SPH webinar recordings and how she liked them as she can dip in and out, at a time that suits her due to the flexibility and thought they were a perfect way to extend her knowledge. Further reading: https://www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/nw/liverpool-city-region-and-beyond-eysph/resources/autumn-time-apples-and-apple-juice-dr https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/evidence-store https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/toolkit/play-based-learning https://www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.org/childminders https://www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.org/early-years-sustainable-hub Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region and beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Blogs Childminders Programmes Documents Subscribe Early Years Professional Development Programme Newsletters Recruitment Case Study Julie Ellis By Julie Ellis As a childminder I am very happy that we now have a support group from the Stronger Practice Hub in our local area, especially promoting communication and language. I enjoy networking with the childminding group in the Deysbrook Drop in, Library and other events. At the drop in each week, we enjoy songs and story time using the lovely resources we received through the Stronger Practice Hub. As childminders we share the resources and take turns to put the activities into practice with our minded children and share ideas with each other on how to use the resources. The insert in each bag was great so we could make sure we were able to gain the most out of the activities. June and Tracie (Strategic childminder leads for the Stronger Practice Hub) have both been a great support over the months. As the Childminder Lead, June gave me the correct information and guidance with Ofsted and polices to support my practice further as a childminder. Tracie was able to support me in her DfE Mentor role for my next inspection. My confidence was low after my last inspection but June and Tracie encouraged me to lead story sessions which made me feel more confident in my ability to show how good I am at my job which helped me have a positive inspection which I was very grateful for. This also allowed me the confidence to join a Local Authority Working group. Having June as a contact and then being part of the WhatsApp group has been great as there is so much support from everyone and the Hub also helps with training needs on childminder related issues e.g. children’s behaviour and emotions. I am also able to share my outdoor and gardening experience events with other childminders. Having easy access to a Wellcomm Bag has been invaluable as this has saved me time travelling to my nearest Children’s Centre to book a bag out, plus I do not have to rush to return the pack. I tell people I have a pack so I can share and I promote the Hub all the time. Other Reading to supplement my knowledge: https://child-development-training.education.gov.uk/about/module-4 https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/evidence-store/communication-and-language https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/evidence-store/early-literacy https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/high-quality-interactions Julie Ellis Ofsted Registered Childminder Liverpool Email Name Local Authority your setting is based in: School / Setting name Setting Postcode Setting URN number: What best describes your role in the Setting Choose an option What best describes your Setting Choose an option Which area would your setting like support with? * Obligatoire Communication and Language Literacy Mathematics Other Which Social Media channels would you like to see our information on? * Obligatoire Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Whatsapp Other Would you like to subscribe to our monthly newsletter? * Obligatoire Yes No I understand that by signing up on this form, my contact details will be kept by Liverpool City Region and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub at Everton Nursery School and Children's Centre. Your details will be kept for the purpose of sending emails and newsletters. I agree Submit Thanks for subscribing! Please check your inbox Junk folder for blocked correspondence First name* Last name* Email* Name of Setting* Setting Postcode* I understand that by signing up on this form, my contact details will be kept by Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub at Everton Nursery School and Children's Centre. Your details will be kept for the purpose of sending emails and newsletters Agree Submit Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment CONCEPT CAT By Alex Gower-Jones. Dr Diane Boyd talks to Tracie Dowling about the role of the Strategic Childminder Lead at Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub Strategic Role Are you looking to spend your Early Years Pupil Premium strategically? See our Resource 'Maximising the Impact of Pupil Premium in the Early Years' Reddish Vale Nursery School Blog Becoming physical development champions and beyond…. Let’s talk about books: A case study on interactive reading By Alex Gower-Jones. The benefits of outdoor play How childminders use outdoor spaces to enhance children’s learning outcomes. By Tracie Dowling. Exploring Understanding the world By Michelle Bennett. A Reflective Conversation By Emma Louise Scott, Maria Edge and Dr Diane Boyd The Garden Classroom ENGAGING GROWTH WITH ‘THE GARDEN CLASSROOM’ By Tracie Dowling Lost Words ‘Lost words’ reflected through the three pillars of sustainability and the SDGs. By Diane Boyd NELI Preschool programme Craig Bolton, Headteacher at East Prescot Road Nursery School, Liverpool, introduces the NELI Preschool programme. East Prescot Road Nursery School is a partner of the Stronger Practice Hub. Supporting self-regulation in the early years By Amanda Quirk Childminder Case Study By Julie Ellis Deysbrook Childminding Network By Tracie Dowling Autumn the time of apples and apple Juice! By Dr Diane Boyd Sharing gifted resource bags Childminding Network Video blogs 1. Everton Nursery Teacher Kate Doyle and Dr Diane Boyd present The Authentic development of a Sensory Garden through the 17 SDGs 2. Dr Diane Boyd talks to Everton Nursery School teacher Kate Doyle about Homelessness young peoples awareness and understanding of others Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Sign-up to receive our Newsletter on the second week of each month. Will aim to provide practical information from educators across the Liverpool City Region as well as information from the Department for Education and Education Endowment Foundation. See below for previous editions. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIVERPOOL CITY REGION EARLY YEARS STRONGER PRACTICE HUB MAILING LIST Sign-up to receive news from our Hub by email, including upcoming courses and events, links to additional resources, and more! Subscribe LCR Newsletter April 2026 LCR Newsletter Jan 2026 LCR Newsletter Oct 2025 LCR Newsletter July 2025 LCR Newsletter April 2025 LCR Newsletter Jan 2025 LCR Newsletter Oct 2024 LCR Newsletter July 2024 LCR Newsletter April 2024 LCR Newsletter Jan 2024 LCR Newsletter Mar 2026 LCR Newsletter June 2026 LCR Newsletter Dec 2025 LCR Newsletter Sept 2025 LCR Newsletter June 2025 LCR Newsletter March 2025 LCR Newsletter Dec 2024 LCR Newsletter Sept 2024 LCR Newsletter June 2024 LCR Newsletter Mar 2024 LCR Newsletter Dec 2023 LCR Newsletter Feb 2026 LCR Newsletter May 2026 LCR Newsletter Nov 2025 LCR Newsletter August 2025 LCR Newsletter May 2025 LCR Newsletter Feb 2025 LCR Newsletter Nov 2024 LCR Newsletter August 2024 LCR Newsletter May 2024 LCR Newsletter Feb 2024 LCR Newsletter Nov 2023 Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Let’s talk about books By Alex Gower-Jones Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Sensory Garden Blog Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Sensory Garden Video blog Everton Nursery Teacher Kate Doyle and Dr Diane Boyd present The Authentic development of a Sensory Garden through the 17 SDGs 1. The 'otherness' of the non-human world - highlighting worms! 2. Agency in Action – Children voicing their thinking through mark making. 3. Discovering recycling waste and contamination through a community visit. 4. Understanding Construction and Positioning of a Bug hotel in our garden. 5 Sparking interest through visiting Everton Park Nature Garden in our neighbourhood 6. The Fix-it Shop! Shopping lists, money, decision – making in action. 7. Sensory cognitive explorations using recycleable sustainable resources through tyres, hurricanes and the rain! Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Everton Nursery School and Family Centre is based in the Everton ward of Liverpool. As a maintained nursery school and children's centre, the school and centre has high quality early childhood education with care at the core of its provision. We are a Ofsted Outstanding Provider. Child places available. Outstanding Nursery School in Liverpool | Everton Nursery Welcome to Everton Nursery School and Family Hub Mission Statement The mission of Everton Nursery School and Family Hub is to promote the children’s educational and social development and help families have and achieve high expectations for themselves and the community. Contact us to arrange a visit to Nursery. Telephone: 0151 233 1969 Places For 2, 3 and 4 Year Olds Available Now Child Application Form See Our Prospectus 1/3 Up Look at the activities we explore at Everton Nursery School and Family Hub We have 2, 3 and 4 year old funded places available. Apply here Up On behalf of all the Staff and Governors, welcome to all children and their families. We look forward to working with you. The Nursery School and Family Hub is open 8.00a.m. to 3.30p.m. Telephone: 0151 233 1969 Telephone calls to the Nursery School and Family Hub can be supported during this time period. Outside of these times the telephones and reception are not staffed. If you wish to report a child's absence please use Arbor or leave a message on the answer machine. See Our Nursery Prospectus > At Everton we believe that the earliest years of a child’s life are the most powerful for shaping curiosity , confidence , and a love of learning . Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, our nursery school is a vibrant, yet natural environment where children flourish through purposeful play exploration, and discovery. Rooted in the timeless educational philosophies of Friedrich Froebel and Maria Montessori , our approach honours each child’s individuality while fostering independence, creativity, and social connection. Froebel’s belief that “play is the highest expression of human development in childhood” guides our daily rhythm, while Montessori principles empower children to make choices, solve problems, and engage deeply with hand-on materials in thoughtfully prepared play spaces. The children at Everton Nursery School are encouraged to follow their interests , ask questions , and learn at their own pace . Our skilled teachers observe, guide, and celebrate each child’s journey ensuring that learning is joyful, meaningful, and developmentally rich. At Everton Nursery school children thrive from their individual starting points. All children join as individuals and leave as part of the Everton Nursery school community. We invite you to discover a unique nursery school where play is not just an activity, but a foundation for lifelong learning. At present, visits to our Nursery Class are by appointment only. In the meantime please see virtual tours of our classroom learning environments. Heyworth is our 2-3 years classes and Cresswell and Spencer are our 3-4 year olds classes. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me on evertonnsfc@evertoncentre.liverpool.sch.uk Yours sincerely Dr. Lesley Curtis OBE Headteacher/Head of Centre Choses à faire aujourd'hui

The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) is additional funding for all early years settings to improve the education they provide for disadvantaged 2,3,4 year olds. From the 1st April 2025 the national funding rate for EYPP is £1.00 per eligible child per hour for the first 15 hours (£570 per year). Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Are you looking to spend your Early Years Pupil Premium strategically? Kaya Doyle (Programme Manager) has put a short webinar together to support you when considering what to spend your Early Years Pupil Premium, titled 'Maximising the Impact of Pupil Premium in the Early Years'. For the link email: sphubnw@evertoncentre.liverpool.sch.uk Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

The Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub is one of 36 DfE designated Stronger Practice Hubs across England. The Liverpool City Region Hub will cover the Liverpool City Region Local Authorities , offering bespoke support, EEF evidence informed training opportunities as well as conferences and opportunities to network with others working in Early Years. Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment The Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub is one of 36 DfE designated Stronger Practice Hubs across England. The Liverpool City Region Hub will cover five of the Liverpool City Region Local Authorities of Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St. Helen's and Wirral. Other Liverpool City Region Local Authorities will be covered by Generate Early Years Stronger Practice Hub. Offering bespoke support, EEF evidence informed training opportunities as well as conferences and opportunities to network with others working in Early Years. The hub is fully funded, meaning the offer will always be free to those who take part. The team running the hub are all working within the schools/settings currently and want to offer support across the whole Early Years sector. If you are a childminder, working in a PVI or school/maintained nursery class and would like more information and to join our network, please sign up to the hub here: Subscribe >Visit the National Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs Website< Events Watch this space for future events Learn More Programmes Communication, language and literacy programmes Learn More Blogs Learn More Childminders Free advice, support and training for childminders Learn More Subscibe Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub Sign Up Page Learn More Newsletters Providing practical information from educators across the Liverpool City Region Learn More Recruitment Recruitment opportunities at the Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub. Learn More Documents Hubs working with the Education Endowment Foundation Learn More The early years stronger practice hubs programme has supported early years practitioners across England since its launch in November 2022, sharing evidence-informed best practice and offering professional development to improve outcomes for young children. Initially there were 18 early years stronger practice hubs, with two in each government office region. In summer 2025, the government published its Giving every child the best start in life paper, confirming that the network will expand to 36 hubs from September 2026. From April 2026, Ambition Institute has taken on the role of delivery partner for the programme, appointed by the Department for Education as part of the government's Best Start in Life strategy. You can find the up-to-date list on all stronger practice hubs here: Early years stronger practice hubs - GOV.UK Hubs support other nurseries and childminders in their area to adopt evidence-based practice improvements by: * establishing local networks of early years educators to share knowledge and effective practice * sharing information and advice on evidence-based approaches – for example, through newsletters, blogs and social media * acting as a point of contact for bespoke advice * signposting to other funded support * working with the Education Endowment Foundation to select evidence-based programmes to fund and make available to nurseries and childminders Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs will support other early years settings in the designated areas to improve outcomes for children in their local area across the EYFS, but specifically focusing on areas of development that research informs us have been most impacted by COVID-19: personal social and emotional development (PSED); communication and language, and early literacy and maths. Each Hub is led by a group-based (school-based, private, voluntary, or independent) early years provider. The Department’s ambition is for Hubs to be evenly distributed across England, within each of the government office regions. Everton Nursery School and Family Centre lead the Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub supporting Local Authorities surrounding the Liverpool City Region. There will also be an opportunity to gain coaching and mentoring with early years specialists through the Stronger Practice Hubs as well as CPD and workforce development opportunities. Relevant links to settings and Strategic Partners: Everton Nursery School and Family Hub www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.liverpool.sch.uk East Prescot Nursery School https://www.eastprescotroad.co.uk/ Tracie Dowling Childminder https://tracies-treasures.com/ Kids Planet Nurseries https://www.kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk/find-a-nursery/wallasey/ Early Years Sustainable Hub https://www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.org/early-years-sustainable-hub Ganneys Meadow School and Family Hub https://ganneysmeadow.co.uk / Rainhill Community Nursery https://www.rainhillnursery.st-helens.sch.uk/ National Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs Website Email: SpHubNW@evertoncentre.liverpool.sch.uk Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment New CPD Guide for childminders New Early Years SENCO Level 3 The hub offers free advice, support and training to childminders across Liverpool City Region. We are aiming to set up Peer to Peer Childminder Support and Play Sessions for Children. Please join our mailing list to be kept informed of future events and launches, newsletters and availability for training dates and drop-in sessions. If you would like to be involved or have suggestions, please let us know. Online Childminder Network which is the last Saturday morning 10a.m. – 11.30a.m. of every month: CHILDMINDER DROP IN Deysbrook Network: Everton Nursery School and Family Centre, Spencer Street, Liverpool, L6 2WF Held every Wednesday 9.30- 11.30am Hunts Cross Network: St Hilda’s Church Hall, Stuart Avenue, Hunts Cross L25 0NG Held every Wednesday 9.30-11.30am Bromborough Childminder Network: Bromborough Family Hub, Gratrix Road, Wirral CH62 7BW Held Thursdays 9.30 – 11.30 am What is a Childminder Drop In? The childminder drop-in sessions provide local childminders with an opportunity to access up to date information, recourses, face to face support, support from a member of the hub team and for childminders to share best practices. The group offers the children a multitude of benefits including enhanced social, emotional, and cognitive development, improved communication skills and opportunities to access larger play equipment to promote physical development. The facilities provide a safe space where childminders can organise events, celebrations and provide larger scale structured activities for the children which in turn supports transitions to school. Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Childminder Network Meetings Held every last Saturday of each month for Teams Link see the monthly newsletter. The aim of the Monthly meetings is to keep childminders up to date with local / national changes, information sharing, identify training needs and give general help and advice. Should you want to have anything specific added to the agenda please email the Stronger Practice Hub on sphubnw@evertoncentre.liverpool.sch.uk WELLCOMM BAGS If you are a Liverpool Childminder and wish to borrow a Wellcomm bag to use with your children, email the sph email as we can support you and loan a Wellcomm bag to you for a period of time. CHILDMINDER RESOURCE BAGS Calling all SPH Network Members….. FREE Resource bags coming soon, funded by the SPH this is a fantastic opportunity for Childminders. Each bag of carefully selected items will be a welcome addition to your setting which in turn supports your children’s development. Each resource bag is designed to be used individually, with a group of childminder colleagues and shared as a lending library. In the next few weeks you can apply for resources that cover Communication and Language, Early Maths and Story Comprehension including a selection of various quality Story Sacks. Also included will be Outdoor and Nature, Habitats and Musicical Instruments bags. Look out for the launch coming the end of April/early May depending on your location within Liverpool City Region and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub…. CM CPD CPD Guide for childminders Early Years SENCO Level 3 Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub Sign Up Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs will support other early years settings in the designated areas to improve outcomes for children in their local area across the EYFS, but specifically focusing on areas of development that research informs us have been most impacted by COVID-19: personal social and emotional development (PSED); communication and language, and early literacy and mathematics. Each Hub is led by a group-based (school-based, private, voluntary, or independent) early years provider. (Please check your inbox Junk folder for blocked correspondence). * Indicates required question Email Name Local Authority your setting is based in: School / Setting name Setting Postcode Setting URN number: What best describes your role in the Setting Choose an option What best describes your Setting Choose an option Which area would your setting like support with? * Obligatoire Communication and Language Literacy Mathematics Other Which Social Media channels would you like to see our information on? * Obligatoire Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Whatsapp Other Would you like to subscribe to our monthly newsletter? * Obligatoire Yes No I understand that by signing up on this form, my contact details will be kept by Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub at Everton Nursery School and Children's Centre. Your details will be kept for the purpose of sending emails and newsletters. I agree Submit Thanks for subscribing! Please check your inbox Junk folder for blocked correspondence Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice