Coram PACEY's Childcare and early years conference 2026

Coram PACEY’s annual childcare and early years conference is back! This year we’re celebrating the POWER of home-based childcare.

Following the success of our last conference, we are back in 2026 to engage, celebrate and support childminders and all home-based childcare professionals on a whole new level.

SPEAKERS:

• Penny Tassoni MBE, renowned and respected education consultant, author and trainer
• Dr Shaddai Tembo, Senior lecturer in Early Childhood Studies- Bath Spa University
• Lucy Lewin, Founder- The Profitable Nursery Academy
• Carol Payne, Deputey Chief Executive- Speech and Language UK
• Prof Sam Wass and Dr Gemma Goldenberg
• Wendy Ratcliff, Principal Officer for Early Education policy & practice- Ofsted
• Gary Harrison, Head of Business Operations- Morton Michel
• Panel of home-based childcare professionals

WORKSHOPS:

• Ofsted inspection changes
• It’s your business, protect yourself

SUPPORT:

• Funding
• Growing your childcare business
• Wellbeing sessions

EXHIBITORS:

• Early years products
• Business products
• Business support services

CELEBRATIONS:

• History of childcare exhibition
• Drinks reception

COMMUNITY:

Be surrounded by your peers and like minded professionals, share your experiences and support others.

View the full agenda here: https://www.corampacey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Coram-PACEYs-Childcare-and-Early-Years-Conference-Agenda.pdf

View speaker bios here: https://www.corampacey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Conference-Speaker-Bios-3.pdf

View the event webpage here: https://www.corampacey.org.uk/coram-paceys-childcare-and-early-years-conference-2026/

Info: With the advent of government funding, there is increased demand for baby places
and home-based childcare professionals are stepping up to meet the demand. In this
keynote Penny Tassoni, the renowned and respected education consultant, author
and trainer , will consider the developmental needs of babies aged 9-12 months and
the importance of this first transition on a baby's holistic development. She will also
consider practical strategies that home-based childcare professionals can use to
support both babies and their parents in their first transition into early years.

Info: The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) highlights the importance of “equality of
opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, ensuring that every child is included
and supported.
” But what does this mean in practice and how can early years
professionals take purposeful action to meet this commitment? Drawing from the
forthcoming book Social Justice in the Early Years: A Toolkit for Educators, Dr
Shaddai Tembo, an inspiring speaker, trainer and lecturer in early years, explores
what a social justice approach can look like in everyday pedagogy. With a focus on
critical reflection, power, and the lived realities of children and families, Shaddai
offers both provocation and practical strategies to help practitioners create
environments where all children are recognised, valued, and able to truly flourish.

Info: TBC

Info: For our panel discussion we are delighted to be joined by experienced and
inspirational home-based childcare providers including childminders and
nannies. They will share their own personal experience of how their unique
home setting, care and education has changed the lives of children. From
that much needed support for children with SEND/ALN to the growing trend
of wraparound only businesses, we explore how our panel have changed and
adapted their business but still understood the importance of the homebased setting

Info: Lucy Lewin, will deliver an empowering talk on how you can be the one to make a
difference in the lives of children and families whilst building a sustainable and
successful childcare business at the same time. Lucy brings over two decades of
expertise in early childhood education, driving strategic growth and operational
excellence in the sector and she is going to help you change how you look at your
childcare business. From funding and operations to personal strengths and
motivations, it’s time home-based childcare professional feel empowered to grow
their childcare businesses and take over the sector!

Info: Young children’s brains are wired for learning - faster, more flexible, and more
absorbent than at any other time in life. In many ways, young children's brains
actually outperform our own! In this uplifting session, Neuroscientist Prof Sam
Wass and Early Years education expert Dr Gemma Goldenberg will explore the
wonder of early learning - how early brain development gives children a unique
edge in picking up language, patterns and emotions. You’ll discover how simple,
everyday interactions can make a big difference when they’re matched to
children’s natural strengths and developmental stages. Whether you’re a
childminder, nursery practitioner or parent, you’ll leave with fresh insights and
easy-to-use strategies to support learning and development in the most powerful
years of life.

Info: Following the renewed Ofsted inspection approach that came into effect in
November, this workshop is your opportunity to speak to Ofsted directly and ask
any questions you may have about inspections, understand how the changes will
affect your childcare business and find out how the pilot and first wave of
inspections have gone. Have you already had your first inspection under the
renewed approach and want to give your honest feedback? Now is the time!

Info: Join Gary Harrison, from Morton Michel for a workshop designed to give you the
tools and confidence to have those difficult conversations with parents and put
robust policies in place to reduce the risk of unpaid childcare fees and ultimately
the risk to your business. This workshop will also expand on the process providers
may need to go through when facing allegations or a suspension of licence to
prepare you for all possible outcomes and detail what support is available along the
way.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate, London, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App