Cambridgeshire Early Years, Childcare, and School Readiness Service

Looking to bring something truly unique to your outdoor space?
Learn the Magic of Treenet Weaving on Monday, 6 July 2026, from 10 am to 3 pm at Hinchingbrooke Country Park with Dan the TreeNet man 🌿

This hands-on workshop aims to inspire educators and outdoor enthusiasts – imagine creating your own treenet for your setting, school, or garden – join in to learn how to design and build incredible, durable treenets for play, adventure, and outdoor learning.

To book a place, please visit Booking and reservations for Early Years Workforce Development, 'HAF.'

CambsEYC blog spotlight ✨
With the expanded childcare offer bringing more children into early years settings, it is easy for routines and busy days to take centre stage. But behind every interaction lies something fundamental: attachment.
From birth, children’s brains are shaped through relationships. Secure attachments support emotional regulation, resilience, social skills, and the confidence to explore, play and learn.
The CambsEYC blog 'Attachment in the early years' looks at why attachment matters, how it underpins behaviour, and the key person approach as a powerful driver for connection. A consistent, nurturing adult can:
• Offer comfort during transitions.
• Tune into emotional cues.
• Build trust through predictable interactions.
These relationships form the secure base children need to thrive.

☀️ Hot weather can be fun, but babies and young children can overheat quickly. Here are some simple ways to keep them safe:
💧 Offer plenty of drinks throughout the day.
🧢 Keep them in the shade, especially between 11 am and 3 pm.
👕 Choose loose, light clothing that covers arms and shoulders.
🧴 Use sunscreen (SPF 30+) and reapply regularly.
🚫 Never leave children in a parked car – not even for a minute.
👶 Babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight.

For more advice and guidance, visit the NHS.UK > Safety in the sun

This year's Refugee Week is marking ‘Courage’, and everyone is invited to explore what that means to them.
Monday, 15 June 2026 - Sunday, 21 June 2026.
Take part by doing a Simple Act or attending an event near you.

Celebrate love, kindness and the diversity of families in our communities with LGBTQIA+-inclusive picture books for children aged birth to five –
Choose the books that suit your child’s stage of development and individual needs:

💛 ‘Aalfred and Aalbert: A love story’ by Morag Hood.
💜 ‘Along Came a Different’ by Tom McLaughlin.
💛 ‘Daddy, Papa, and Me’ by Lesléa Newman.
💜 ‘Emma and Meesha My Boy: A Two Mom Story’ by Kaitlyn Taylor Considine.
💛 ‘Girls Can Do Anything’ by Caryl Hart and Ali Pye.
🤍 ‘Jack & Jim’ by Kitty Crowther.
🩷 ‘Little Seahorse and the Big Question’ by Freddy McConnell and Rosalind Beardshaw.
🩵 ‘Mister Seahorse’ by Eric Carle.
🤎 ‘Norman the Slug with the Silly Shell’ by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet.
🖤 ‘Picnic in the Park’ by Joe Griffiths.
❤️ ‘Plenty of Hugs’ by Fran Manushkin.
🧡 ‘The Boys’ by Lauren Ace and Jenny Lovlie.
💛 ‘The Littlest Yak’ by Lu Fraser, Kate Hindley.
💚 ‘Two Dads: A book about adoption’ by Carolyn Robertson and Sophie Humphreys.
💙 ‘Two Mums and a Menagerie’ by Carolyn Robertson and Patricia de Villiers.
💜 ‘Under the Love Umbrella’ by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys.

You can discover a wider range of books celebrating LGBTQ+ identities, equality, diversity and inclusion at Cambridgeshire Libraries. 📚🌈

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CambsEYC is excited to announce that the new Cambridgeshire Early Years Professional Development Programme for 2026–2027 is now live.

This year’s programme offers a wide range of training opportunities to support early years and childcare practitioners at every stage of their career. You can explore courses in:
• 12 hour paediatric first aid • Birth to three • Business and governance • Childminding • Curriculum, pedagogy, and practice • Early childhood qualifications • Equalities and inclusion • Forest School • HAF programme • Leadership and management • Observation and assessment • Safeguarding and child protection • School age childcare • Schools • SEND • Supporting wellbeing and mental health.

Visit the Learn Together website to browse the full programme and book your courses today.

Together, let’s keep growing our skills to give children the best start in life.

We are excited to share Cambridgeshire County Council’s Best Start in Life Delivery Plan, that brings together health, early years, and community services to ensure every child in Cambridgeshire has the Best Start in Life.

The plan sets out:
• Five new Best Start Family Hubs.
• More coordinated support for parents and carers.
• Better access to early education and childcare.
• Strengthened SEND pathways.
• A new digital information offer.
• A big focus on improving children’s early development and reducing inequalities.

This is a major step towards making services more accessible, connected, and responsive to local families.

Read the full plan and find out what’s changing at https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support/best-start-in-life-cambridgeshire

Best Start in Life - Cambridgeshire “The foundations of success are laid in early childhood. Ensuring every child has the best start in life - the chance to achieve and to thrive - are the foundation stones of the Government’s Opportunity Mission. To ensure that a child’s background does not determine their future success, so th...

Early Years Funding is moving to the Early Years and Education System (EYES), a new system developed by System C that will replace the current funding process.

Benefits of EYES include:
• A live register so children can be added at any time, including future starters.
• Simple estimate and headcount submissions using a snapshot wizard.
• Better clarity on which children are included in payments.
• Easier submission of census information.

We understand that switching systems takes time, which is why we have created a comprehensive package of support, including:
• Provider overview briefings.
• Live bitesize training sessions.
• Online training available at any time.
• Step‑by‑step guidance with screenshots.
• Bookable 20‑minute surgery sessions for 1:1 support.

All training opportunities can be booked via: Booking and reservations for Early Years Childcare and School Readiness Service, 'EYES.'