Best Practice Network

28/09/2026

Missed the early bird deadline?

Join our Early Years Lead Practitioner webinar tomorrow and get the guidance you need to apply with confidence before the next application deadline.

Whether you're exploring your next career step or ready to move into an Early Years leadership role, this session will help you understand exactly what to expect from the programme and the application process.

During the webinar, we'll cover:
✅ Who the programme is designed for
✅ How the apprenticeship is delivered
✅ Progression opportunities and pathways
✅ Funding and eligibility guidance
✅ Live Q&A with our team

If you're considering a career in Early Years leadership, this session is the perfect place to start.

Reserve your place: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yFfc60

25/09/2026

🌕 Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

In Chinese culture, Mid Autumn Festival is a time for "團圓", meaning reunion and togetherness.

Under the same full moon, families come together, share food, spend time with one another and celebrate the people they love. For those who live far away from home, it can also be a moment to think of the people they miss.

Wherever you are and whatever your background, today is a lovely reminder to celebrate the people who matter to you.

Spend time together, give someone a call if they are far away, or tell your loved ones that you appreciate them ❤️

Want to join the celebration? Here's how to say “Happy Mid-Autumn Festival” in Chinese:

中秋節快樂 🌕

Cantonese
zung1 cau1 zit3 faai3 lok6
Roughly: “joong chow jeet fai lok”

Mandarin
zhōng qiū jié kuài lè
Roughly: “jong chyoh jyeh kwai luh”

Wishing all those celebrating a wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival filled with happiness, togetherness and cherished moments with family and friends. 🏮✨

25/09/2026

We’re delighted to be partnering with our friends at Dingley’s Promise to promote their exciting new SEND CPD courses for educators across England!

Funded by the Department for Education, these courses equip educators of all levels and across all types of provision with practical tools and strategies to strengthen inclusive practice in their settings.

Find out more and apply at https://dingley.org.uk/training-eycpd/?utm_source=best_practice_network&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=partner_referrals

OUT NOW: Funded Early Years SEND CPD courses

Our new programme of Early Years SEND CPD courses is now available to educators across England!

Funded by the Department for Education, our three flexible online courses have been designed to give educators practical tools, strategies and knowledge to strengthen inclusive practice and build confidence in supporting children with SEND.

Whether you’re new to inclusive practice or looking to build on your existing knowledge, there’s an opportunity to develop your skills at no cost to you or your setting.

Discover the courses and find out more: https://dingley.org.uk/training-eycpd/

Dingley's Promise Training

25/09/2026

We're excited to be in Manchester for our Early Years SEND Roadshow! ✨

A huge thank you to everyone joining us today. It's fantastic to bring together such a passionate community of SENCOs, nursery managers, practitioners and childminders, all committed to making a positive difference for children.

We're also grateful to have expert speakers and workshop facilitators throughout the day sharing practical insights on SEND and Inclusion.

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to speak with us so far. We're looking forward to a brilliant day of learning and networking! ❤️

25/09/2026

🎉 Happy National Teaching Assistants' Day !

Behind every confident learner, breakthrough moment, and inclusive classroom is a Teaching Assistant helping to make it happen.

Teaching Assistants play a vital role in supporting learning, building confidence, promoting wellbeing, and helping pupils overcome barriers to achieve their potential. Their impact extends far beyond the classroom, shaping outcomes that last a lifetime.

At BPN, we're proud to support Teaching Assistants at every stage of their career journey. Whether you're looking to achieve HLTA status, develop specialist expertise in areas such as SEND or progress through a Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant qualification, we're here to help you take the next step.

Because when Teaching Assistants grow, schools become stronger, and pupils benefit.

💬 We'd love to hear from you: What has been your proudest moment as a Teaching Assistant?

🔗 Explore your next professional development opportunity via the link in our bio.

25/09/2026

Every child deserves to feel seen, heard and supported.

You can help make that happen.

There are now just 2 days left to apply for the fully funded Early Years SENCO Level 3 programme. Complete your application by midnight Sunday and you could become a qualified Early Years SENCO by spring.

As an Early Years SENCO, you'll help ensure that every child is seen, heard and supported. By recognising when a child needs extra help and putting the right support in place, you'll play a vital role in helping children with SEND feel included, valued and able to flourish.

Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your SEND expertise and make a lasting difference to children and families. Submit your application by this Sunday.

https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yq9dQ0

24/09/2026

The work you do today can help shape a child's tomorrow.

Whether you're taking your first step into Early Years or looking to grow into a leadership or specialist role, our apprenticeships are designed to help you build the skills, confidence and expertise that make a lasting difference to children's learning and development.

Apply for one of our fully funded programmes before Sunday, September 27, to join our next intake.

Find out more and apply: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yyllJ0

24/09/2026

With more than one in five pupils now receiving SEND support in the UK, schools need the expertise, confidence and capacity to create a truly exclusive school.

In our recent blog, Rebecca Lacey, SEN Strategic Lead (Apprenticeships) at Best Practice Network, explores how schools can strengthen SEND provision by:
✅ Building strong SEND leadership
✅ Developing inclusive teaching practice
✅ Upskilling teaching assistants
✅ Extending inclusion beyond the classroom

Read the blog for more details: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0ywDhq0

24/09/2026

How much do we really know about employment law in Early Years? 🤔

From understanding your rights as an employee to knowing your responsibilities as an employer, employment law affects everyone working across the Early Years sector.

In the latest episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, Tatia Singleton and Emma Minchella are joined by Deanne Cook, Managing Director of Northumbria University Nursery, for an open conversation about employment law and why greater awareness matters.

They explore real experiences across the sector, including lunch breaks, training time, contracts, working hours and apprentices' rights, as well as the impact employment practices can have on wellbeing, recruitment and staff retention.

And supporting employee rights doesn't have to come at the expense of a successful setting. As the conversation explores, looking after your workforce can help create a stronger team that stays, develops and achieves more together.

The episode also looks at the need for greater awareness of employment law across Early Years and Deanne's campaign to bring more attention to the issue.

Whether you're an Early Years practitioner, apprentice, manager or employer, this is a conversation that affects all of us.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube.

23/09/2026

Following on from this morning's Early Year's webinar announcement, we wanted to remind you of the upcoming Coaching, Learning and Development Practitioner webinar taking place next Wednesday, September 30.

If you currently work in a role where you support the continuous development of school staff and are looking for new ways to help them reach their full potential, join our free webinar!

Hosted by Head of Apprenticeships Curriculum for Qualifications and Training, Bethan Marshall, this session is a great opportunity to find out about the new Coaching, Learning and Development Practitioner apprenticeship.

📅Wednesday, September 30
🕓 4-5pm

Sign up here ➡️https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yxZfl0