WE have come a long way since the launch of the St Edmund’s Stronger Practice Hub in March!

St Edmund’s Early Years Stronger Practice Hub is one of 18 hubs designated by the Department for Education (DfE) across England. The two in Yorkshire and The Humber offer a range of services to practitioners working in the early years.

Stronger Practice Hubs provide networking opportunities and share information about evidence-informed programmes that are available, free of charge, to settings across the region. The St Edmund’s Hub is partnered by, Dixons Allerton Academy, Co-op Academy Delius, Children’s Place Day Nurseries and childminder Belinda O’Hare.

The Hub was launched in March at the Midland Hotel in Bradford, with 129 attendees from early years settings across the region at two exciting mornings of professional development, networking, and play. The launch was a success, with one person commenting: “I came away feeling really motivated, and looking forward to how the Hub can help my practice and impact the children I work with.”

Among the attendees were Keena Cummins, a Speech and Language Therapist and the keynote speaker, and Irene Lofthouse, a Bradford storyteller who created a tale based on guests in the room.

Fast-forward to now, the Hub is thriving! With the introduction of various Specialist Learning Networks, scheduled webinars, workshops and networking opportunities, a website page, personal development programmes and the opportunity to ‘Talk to Amanda, our Training and Engagement Lead’, for bespoke support. There are currently 723 people signed up to the Hub (and 504 settings). Signing up means you will be kept up to date with events and opportunities straight to your inbox.

Amanda Hall, Training and Engagement Lead for the Hub says: “I was lucky enough to join the St Edmund’s Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Team in January 2023, as the Training and Engagement Lead. I really enjoy communicating and working with many different individuals and settings from across the early years sector. I love to hear what they do, and how they want to make a difference to the children they care for. A part of my role is providing early years settings with support, guidance and where relevant, signposting to funded opportunities developed to enhance practice. This can be organised by contacting me at sph@stedmundsbradford.org.uk”

Specialist Learning Networks were introduced soon after the launch: Leaders and Emerging Leaders, Outdoor Play and Learning, Childminding, SEND and Social Communication & Regulation. Some networks have inspiring guest speakers such as members of the Pen Green Schema Group and Lily Horseman, a director and past chair of the Forest School Association.

Upcoming events from the Hub include Belinda O’Hare’s Childminder Visitor Session, a Social Communication & Regulation Network Meeting with Keena Cummins and a Recruitment, Retention & Staff Wellbeing Meeting all in September. Visit bradfordbirthto19.co.uk/early-years/stronger-practice-hub

* Renaah Khalid is Marketing and Communications Officer at Bradford Birth to 19.