Early years and childcare learning week 2025

Between 10 and 14 November Social Care Wales will be hosting events and sharing good practice to celebrate their first ever early years and childcare learning week.

What’s happening during the learning week?

There will be a series of online events, through Microsoft Teams. These are free to attend and are for anyone who’s interested in early years and childcare.

They’ll be covering a range of topics, focused around our three main themes:

well-being and compassionate leadership in the workplace
equity, language, and identity
professional growth.

Who is the early years and childcare learning week for?

The early years and childcare learning week is for everyone with an interest in early years and childcare. This includes:

managers
practitioners
tutors/assessors
learners
policy makers
inspectors
partner organisations.

The online events

Monday 10 November

Movement campaign 10am to 11am - speaker Leo Holmes, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Early Years Wales.

Cymraeg all around ̶ a Welsh Promise and effective immersion 2pm to 3pm - Speakers Loud Steven Jones, Project Manager for ‘Croesi’r Bont’, Mudiad Meithrin’s language immersion scheme, and Sian James, Lead Welsh Language Childcare Business Development Officer for Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs.

Tuesday 11 November

From values to impact: Strengths-based practice for the early years and childcare workforce 10am to 11am- speaker Jay Goulding, Social Care Wales

Core behaviours – compassionate leadership 2pm to 3pm - speaker Bex Steen, Leadership Development Officer, Social Care Wales

Wednesday, 12 November

Careers in early years childcare 1pm to 2pm - speakers Sam Greatbanks, Engagement and Development Officer, Social Care Wales and Sam Thomas, Engagement and Development Lead Officer, Social Care Wales
Anti-racism and diversity in the early years 6pm to 7pm - speakers Sarah Sharp a dedicated childminder based in the Vale of Glamorgan and Dawn Bunn, National Training Manager, Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Club

Thursday, 13 November

"When it just doesn’t feel right: understanding moral injury in early years work" 10am to 11am- speaker Kat Applewhite, Chief Executive Officer of Here2There
Permission to prioritise yourself – a mental health toolkit for people working in early years and childcare 2pm to 3pm- speakers Kate Newman, Workforce Well-being Manager, Social Care Wales and Leo Holmes, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Early Years Wales

Friday, 14 November

Research, innovation and improvement skills resource 10am to 11am - speakers Dr Kate Howson, Research Partnerships Manager, Social Care Wales and Alison Kulkowski, Innovation Partnerships Manager, Social Care Wales