Bedford Borough

Early Years Conference 2026

Wednesday 25th March 2026

9:00am to 3:30pm

This year’s Early Year’s Conference theme will be full of ‘JOY’.

1. The Best Writers Start with Joy!

In this workshop, we will review the developmental process of learning to write. We will see how children at all developmental stages become motivated and confident early writers when they discover reasons to write that connect with their interests and preoccupations. We will explore how to create an EPIC early writing environment and you will take away some powerful, ‘next day’, simple to implement ideas to inspire children to write, and some thoughts to share with your staff team to support longer term, sustainable change in your practice.

Julie Cigman, Consultant, Trainer and Writer

Julie is an Early Years author, consultant and trainer., promoting high quality Early Years provision through training and support to schools and Early Years settings.  She designed and runs projects in schools, nurseries and pre-schools to develop confident and motivated early writers.

Recent publications include Becoming a Writer in Leaps and Bounds – supporting boys’ writing in the EYFS (2^nd Edition 2018) and Getting Boys Up and Running in the Early Years (2016)..   www.juliecigman.co.uk 

 

2. Why Children need Joy!

This thought-provoking and inspirational keynote explores “Joy”, not as an abstract concept but as a fundamentally important part of every childhood. The session explores practical strategies for using the concept of joy to give all of our children a childhood full of awe and wonder supporting all of our wonderfully diverse children to flourish.  

Ben Kingston-Hughes, Trainer and Author

Ben Kingston-Hughes is a keynote speaker, author and multi award-winning trainer.  His distinctive blend of humour, neuroscience and real-life practical experiences have made his training invaluable for anyone working with children.  His new book “Why Children Need Joy” was a finalist for the Nursery World Professional Book of the Year 2024 where it was awarded “Highly Commended” .  www.inspiredchildren.org.uk

 

3. Makaton Taster Early Years Workshop

Discover how signs and symbols can support children’s

communication and language development.

 Rachel Hadfield, Speech & Language Therapist

Each setting/school will be offered

two places for the conference. 

 

 

Book your places by using the link or QR code: 

Early Years Conference 2026 – Fill in form

(Deadline for bookings: Monday 16h March 2026)

 

 

Or by scanning the QR code on a mobile device.

 

This conference is open to Bedford Borough Schools and Settings only