The Early Years Leadership Conference, London 2026

Come join us at 1 America Square, London, for a day filled with insightful discussions and networking opportunities. This conference is designed for those in leadership roles within the early years sector. Learn from industry experts, share best practices, and connect with like-minded professionals. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your leadership skills and make valuable connections. Buy your ticket now to secure your spot!

Key highlights:

• Connect with fellow leaders and industry experts, expanding your professional network and forging valuable relationships.
• Gain insights from renowned early years experts on a variety of current topics.
• Elevate your skills and knowledge through reflective discussions and seminars, specifically designed to enhance your leadership capabilities.
• Access leading suppliers from the Early Years Sector who understand your unique needs and have tailored solutions for you.
• CPD Accredited: Be awarded a CPD Certificate for every seminar you attend.
• Enjoy a delicious Continental Breakfast, Sandwich Lunch, and unlimited tea & coffee!
• Take home a loaded goody bag.
• Free entry into our fabulous raffle at the end of the day.
• And so much more!

Thanks to GEM Training & Advisory Service for being a platinum sponsor at our London Conference this year. Your support is greatly appreciated! 🙌

Info: Introduction to Swift , EYC and EYLC
Explanation of the purpose, themes and raffle prizes

Info: This session explores professional confidence as a key factor in strong leadership, healthy workplace culture, and effective safeguarding in early years settings. Drawing on doctoral research and real case studies, it highlights how confidence can be intentionally developed to help educators speak up, challenge decisions, and advocate for children. The session introduces practical principles that support confidence at individual and team levels, strengthening leadership, psychological safety, and outcomes for children and families.

Info: Early childhood is a critical period for brain development, emotional regulation, and lifelong wellbeing. This session explores how early years practitioners can create calm, safe and nurturing environments that support children's neurological, emotional, and sensory needs. Drawing on clinical insights from child development, trauma-informed practice, and emotional regulation research, we will examine how behaviour often communicates unmet needs and stress responses. Attendees will gain practical strategies to reduce dysregulation, foster secure relationships, and build environments that promote resilience, engagement, and positive developmental outcomes for all children, particularly those with additional needs.

Info: Inclusive environments benefit everyone. This panel explores how early learning settings can embed a culture where both children and educators feel valued, respected, and supported. From inclusive practices in the classroom to equitable workplace policies and leadership approaches, panellists will share practical strategies to build belonging, celebrate diversity, and create environments where every individual can thrive.

Info: How do we move beyond simply sharing information with families towards building genuine, trusting partnerships? In this live podcast conversation, Ben Case joins The Voice of Early Childhood and BookedIn Voices to explore meaningful parent partnerships from both an educator’s and parent’s perspective. The discussion will consider building trust, moving beyond transactional communication, balancing partnership with educator workload, and finding flexible ways to meet families where they are. Together, we will explore how parents and educators can feel heard, valued and able to work collaboratively around the child.

Info: Join Ofsted colleagues Wendy Ratcliff HMI (Principal Officer, Early Education Policy) and Rachael Flesher HMI (Quality and Practice Lead, Early Education) for a session looking at how Ofsted inspects settings registered on the Early Years Register. This session will focus on the 'inclusion' and 'leadership and governance' evaluation areas of the early years inspection toolkit.

Info: CPD Certificates & Raffle Draw

Event venue & nearby stays

1 America Square, 1 America Square, London, United Kingdom

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