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The Institute Times - February
Welcome to the February edition of ‘The Institute Times’ - your monthly round up of what’s going on at the Institute and across the early years sector. In this edition, you can expect…
Time to catch up:
What’s new at the Institute
Healthy Lifestyles content
Healthy Lifestyles content: We know that in order for you to be able to give your best each day, you need to look after yourself as much as possible. That’s why we’re continuing to develop our range of healthy lifestyles resources. As well as your usual access to Spectrum Life’s wide range of resources, we’re now pleased to be able to offer you exclusive wellbeing content specifically tailored to early years professionals.
What's new beyond the Institute:
Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs programme has been extended until March 2026
The Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs programme has been extended until March 2026, meaning Hubs will continue to provide funded support and advice to improve quality in early years settings, by sharing evidence-informed practice through their local networks.
For more information about ways you can get involved with your nearest Stronger Practice Hub visit www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs
“As plans are developed for the Flying Start expansion, local authorities and the Welsh Government must work with providers to ensure the funding package takes into account all the extra costs of caring for our youngest children and are supported to be flexible to meet families’ needs.”
You can read more about the article from Welsh Government here.
New toilet training guidance for early years educators
Using the toilet is a new skill that children need to learn. Early years educators can play an important role in supporting children and their parents with toilet training.
The Department for Education has published new toilet training guidance on their Help for Early Years Providers page. This will help educators understand how to support babies and young children with toilet training in early years settings.
Time to explore:
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation - Free Resources
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation has launched, a collection of free resources to support staff in creating inclusive and safe environments for children with food allergies. The resources can be found on their Allergy School page and can be used to support staff in fulfilling statutory duties to manage allergy risks in early years settings.
Timewise - Building the early years and childcare workforce of the future
The Timewise Childcare Pioneers project 2024 explored how proactive flexible working cultures could improve staff wellbeing and retention and attract a more diverse pool of candidates. They have created two separate guides for nursery managers and staff around flexible working in an EY setting which you can find here.
The Welsh Language in the Early Years
Cymraeg 2050 was launched in 2017 with the aim of a million Welsh speakers by the middle of the century. The Welsh language should be as visible and heard as the English language and childcare providers in Wales should be working towards the Active Offer. This simply means providing a service in Welsh without someone having to ask for it.
Welsh Government through Cwlwm provide support to achieve this through Camau training, which provides free bespoke online language training for the early years, childcare and playwork sector. These courses can be easily accessed through the umbrella organisations by settings and practitioners.
The Welsh Promise is a way for a whole setting to increase the use of Welsh throughout their practice. It provides a gradual, step by step process evidenced by bronze, silver and gold awards.
Further information on how the Welsh Language can be promoted and used in early years, childcare and playwork settings can be found here.
Time to engage:
EEF early years research funding
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has recently launched their latest research funding round, which includes opportunities for early years programmes.
This funding round aims to support and evaluate existing programmes in the early years that focus on improving self-regulation or executive function in children or support these as part of broader developmental goals. EEF are particularly interested in programmes that might benefit children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The deadline for applications is 11am on Friday 14th March 2025. More information and details of how to apply, can be found here.
NDNA’s annual "Healthy Body, Happy Me" campaign
NDNA’s "Healthy Body, Happy Me" campaign sponsored by Hope returns on Monday 24 March.
Get ready to jump, stretch, wriggle and roll, as this year we are celebrating all things active with our theme Busy Bodies.
Even before birth, babies move instinctively, showing that physical activity is not simply about burning energy. It’s the foundation for learning, growth and long-term health.
NDNA’s annual Healthy Body, Happy Me campaign encourages better health and happiness, by giving nurseries free resources for play, learning and fun, to aid children’s development for all ages.
Time to prepare:
Are you ready for all that March has in store? Here are just a few reminders to help you get prepared:
St David’s Day 1st March
St. David is the patron saint of Wales. In his honour, 1st March marks the annual event of St. David’s Day’, a day of national celebration in Wales, and for those with Welsh heritage and connections.
Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday 4th March 2025
Pancake Day (also known as Shrove Tuesday) falls on the day before Ash Wednesday each year (the first day of Lent). Lent is traditionally a time of ‘fasting’ for Christians, so Shrove Tuesday was the last day to use up eggs, fats and sugary treats. Making pancakes are a perfect way of using such ingredients and so pancake day has become a tradition in itself.
Ash Wednesday (Start of Lent) – 5th March 2025
International Women’s Day – 8th March 2025
International Women’s Day (IWD), is celebrated worldwide, on the 8th March each year. It honours the achievements of women across all aspects of life - social, economic, cultural, and political - while also advocating for gender equality. Find out more about this year’s event.
Holi - Festival of Colour – 14th – 15th March 2025
Holi is a Hindu festival that celebrates spring, love, and new life. Find out more about the festival from this short video.
St. Patrick’s Day - 17th March 2025
St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. In his honour, 17th March marks the annual event of St. Patrick’s Day’, a day of national celebration in Ireland, and for those with Irish heritage and connections.
Beep-Beep day – 19th March 2025
Beep Beep! Day, organised by road charity Brake, is a road safety day run by schools, nurseries, playgroups or childminders to teach important road safety basics to very young children (aged 2–7) as well as helping parents, carers and the wider community understand how to protect children on and around roads. Follow the link to find out more about this year’s annual event.
Red Nose Day - 19th March 2025
Red Nose Day takes place every March. It is a unique fundraising campaign which uses comedy as a means to fundraise money for great causes. Each year people take part in all sorts of events and fun challenges to raise money for children facing poverty in the UK and around the world through bake sales, sporting challenges or simply wearing a Red Nose. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first ever Red Nose Day. Find out more of how you can get involved in this year’s event.
Healthy Body, Happy Me week - 24th- 28th March 2025
NDNA’s annual Healthy Body, Happy Me campaign encourages better health and happiness, by giving nurseries free resources for play, learning and fun, to aid children’s development for all ages. Find everything you need to take part in this year’s event, including free downloadable resources.
Ramadan – 28th February 2025
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a time of fasting, reflection, prayer, and community for Muslims around the world. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Friday 28th February, depending on the sighting of the moon. To find out more about Ramadan click here.
Time to be heard:
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) safeguarding reforms
From the 1st September 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) will implement EYFS safeguarding reforms.
To help them to understand what further support would be helpful for providers to implement the safeguarding reforms, DfE and Ofsted want to hear your questions and concerns about the upcoming EYFS changes. Any questions you have about the safeguarding reforms should be submitted by 12th March to
Time to for you
Finally, remember to make some time for ‘you’. As we enter Spring, take some time to use the new season to engage in a fresh start. Explore new ways to look after yourself trying new exercise routines and meal plans using the wide range of exclusive Healthy Lifestyles resources available from our partners, Spectrum Life.
As the weather warms up you might like to get outdoors more and enjoy a spring walk. Why not listen to a podcast from the range available through the Sound Space collection.
Don’t forget to look out for the range of events coming up in March.
Remember that you can also catch up on all other previous series here.
And that’s all we’ve had time for in this edition of The Institute Times!
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