 The NEW collection of tips and advice films in the language development section, feature Speech and Language Therapists offering families easy, practical ways to create opportunities to play and communicate with children, with and without words. There are tips to help with focus and attention, as well as interesting ways to make story time fun.
You’ll also find NEW activity films for 18–24 months, 2–3 years and 3-4 years that inspire play and include techniques that support language-rich interactions.
All latest films have been labelled ‘new’ for ease.
For half term fun, parents/caregivers can also explore Autumn and seasonal activities which includes sensory pumpkin play, dress-up play and trick-or-treat games.
Other new resources to check out: CBeebies parenting helpline podcast.
All content is free to use. Please share these valuable resources with families.
 In early September 2025, Ofsted published their renewed education inspection framework. This framework sets out Ofsted's inspection principles and the grades that inspectors give. It will come into effect from November 2025. In the webinar at the button below, Ofsted explain how they will carry out inspections of childminders. They discuss:
- how they designed their renewed inspection framework
- the main changes
- the new evaluation areas
- inspection toolkit
- how inspections will look and feel
- what happens at each stage of inspection and post-inspection
They also answer questions from the audience.
 Taking part in the Nature Park as an EYFS setting supports the youngest learners to connect to nature and explore green changes to their environment, as well as supporting development and learning across all seven Early Learning Goals.
Nature connection in early childhood is crucial for developing a lifelong relationship with the natural world. Supporting learners to build a positive connection with nature in the Early Years can motivate and empower them to protect and value its importance now and in the future.
Click the button below to find out more about the benefits of the Nature Park programme for EYFS and what taking part will look like for your setting and learners, as well as giving you some handy resources to help you get started.
Shenley Fields is a nursery school in Birmingham. Click the button below to discover how they've used the Nature Park programme to create a community vegetable garden, a wildflower area and a green roof.
 Please see the flyer below for SEND Butterflies South Coast. SEND butterflies South Coast are a community group run by neurodivergent volunteers offering support groups across Portsmouth.
 We are delighted to share with you the launch of the new Best Start in Life campaign, and the new tool kit which you can use to support the campaign on your own channels.
The Best Start in Life campaign aims to increase awareness of the role of the early years in a child’s development, increase parental understanding of things they can do in their child’s early years and how early education supports child development. This is why the Best Start in Life website brings together trusted advice, support and guidance for parents to turn to. Please signpost parents to the website.
To help promote the campaign you can:
 Applications are now open for Maths Champions - a fully funded programme delivered by NDNA through the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and Department for Education (DfE).
Maths Champions is a 12-month online professional development programme that helps nurseries boost staff confidence and children’s outcomes in maths. Research shows children in Maths Champion settings make up to 3 months’ extra progress in maths and language - rising to 6 months for disadvantaged children.
Each setting nominates a Maths Champion and Deputy Maths Champion (level 3 qualified practitioners) who will:
- Complete engaging online training
- Lead staff confidence and environment audits
- Implement 10+ core maths activities with children
- Access one-to-one support from Early Years Advisers and a bank of resources
Who can apply?
Private, voluntary, independent (PVI) nurseries, maintained nursery schools, children’s centres, and school-based nurseries in England with 3- & 4-year-old provision (minimum 15 hours).
Delivery begins February – June 2026.
The first 50 settings to submit their expression of interest by Friday 28 November will be entered into a prize draw to win 1 of 10 bundles of Maths Number Books – delivered in time for Christmas!
Early years maths isn’t just counting and compare bears!
Or if you are interested in a practical maths training workshop, take a look at 'early years maths isn’t just counting and compare bears!' This two hour, face to face workshop is just £70 and will be run by our Early Years Quality and Sufficiency Officer, Vicky Taylor in February.
 When: Wednesday 19 November, 10.00am - 11.45am and 12.00pm - 2.00pm
Where: Portsmouth Central Library (third floor)
Join Teach Portsmouth for one of two identical sessions and discover training and job opportunities in education.
- Speak to schools and other organisations promoting vacancies
- Watch short presentations about working in a school
- Sign up to taster sessions to build confidence before applying
- View vacancies and opportunities on the jobs board
Our Early Years Quality and Sufficiency Officers will also be hosting a stand at the event to promote careers in early years and childcare and share current local job vacancies. Please email eydelivery@portsmouthcc.gov.uk with your current job vacancies so we can promote these for you. You can use this form.
 We’re pleased to share the latest Emotional Wellbeing Newsletter from the Solihull team - now rebranded as Togetherness.
 The website at the button below has a variety of books available to purchase to support neurodivergent children as well as downloadable free/paid advice and guidance, including preparing for a child's EP assessment.
 From Insight to Inspection: Practical support for early years inspection success.
Are you awaiting your routine Ofsted inspection? Join us for an insightful and supportive workshop designed specifically for early years and childcare providers. Led by experienced Early Years Quality and Sufficiency Officers, at this session you will:
- Explore recent local Ofsted inspection reports.
- Gain valuable insights into what inspectors are looking for and the key recommendations made to settings just like yours.
- Share practical strategies to help you feel confident and prepared.
- Learn how to showcase your strengths and address common areas for improvement.
Visit a local nursery that has recently been inspected.
- Hear directly from their leadership team and practitioners about their experience, lessons learned, and how they navigated the process.
- Tour the setting.
- See examples of best practices and gather ideas to enhance your own environment.
Whether you're feeling uncertain or simply want to be inspection-ready, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn from real experiences, ask questions, and connect with peers.
Please note that places are limited and prioritised for early years providers due their routine or first inspections in 2026-2027. These workshops focus on the early years inspection handbook and are therefore not suitable for school run provision inspected under the school inspection framework.
 FREE 5-week course for 3-4 year olds starting school in September 2026
Mondays - starting 3 November - 1.00pm - 2.30pm - Buckland Family Hub
A group to support with the transition of starting school, using the PEEP method of helping parents with the little things that make a huge difference to their child's development. Different topics are covered each week for families to use in a home learning environment, and make the most of learning opportunities in everyday life.
 Parents can apply for a school place online from Monday 3 November - Thursday 15 January. Please display the poster at the button below.
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