Festival of lifelong learning for early years and childcare 2024

There will be two events:

Thursday, 21 November – Twilight session (held on Zoom), 6pm to 8pm.

At this online twilight session:

• staff from Newport City Council will talk about how childcare contributes to the best start in life
• staff from University of Wales Trinity Saint David will explore why creative play is important in early years education and care.

Thursday, 28 November – National early years and childcare conference, at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, 9am to 3pm.

Registration opens from 9am and breakfast pastries will be served. The conference starts at 10am.

We’ll hear from speakers about how they support and deliver Welsh language awareness within English language settings, and how they support children with additional learning needs, as well as a range of other topics.

We'll also have an exhibition area where you can meet with different organisations from the sector.

The events are for anyone who has an interest in early years and childcare, including: 

• practitioners  

• managers  

• students  

• assessors and teachers. 

Registration for the conference has now closed. You can find details of the conference here.

When you sign up for either of the festival events, you will automatically receive a daily e-mail with links to useful resources covering the following themes:

• equality, diversity and inclusion
• management and professional development
• learning and play
• rights and well-being.

Emma Levy, Early years deputy team manager, Newport City Council

The Newport City Council early years team focuses on putting the family at the centre of their work focusing on their strengths and resources, and making sure that other key partners are available to support the family’s success and growth.

Quality childcare helps children develop important skills and abilities, such as how to socialise and the ability to play and concentrate. These are crucial, not only to a child’s ability to learn, but also so they can take part effectively in groups, whether in the classroom, at work or in society.

Early years support focuses on the holistic development of children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs to support well-being and lifelong learning. One of the main goals is to make sure as many children as possible get high quality childcare in Newport. This approach helps to provide a flying start in life to all children and families within Flying Start areas, supported by health, speech and language practitioners, positive parenting, and early support.

Glenda Tinney, Senior lecturer and admissions tutor, University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Glenda Tinney is a Senior Lecturer and Admissions Tutor at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Her expertise is outdoor play, connecting with nature and sustainable practice, as well as promoting curiosity, mathematics and science in the early years.

Glenda runs practical outdoor sessions and play workshops and also encourages pedagogy that combines practical work with theory and research. Glenda enjoys volunteering at a forest school.

Natasha Jones, Lecturer for the early years team, University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Natasha Jones is a lecturer for the early years team at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. In previous roles, Natasha has enjoyed working with children as they have so many characteristics that made her work exciting and challenging. This understanding of practice allows her to take part in real conversations with students.

In Natasha’s current role as a lecturer, she focuses on creating a supportive environment for students, to give them the knowledge and skills they need to succeed academically and in life. Teaching is her passion, which drives her to inspire and empower students to reach their full potential.

Over the years, Natasha has organised many play workshops and is looking forward to sharing her ideas with you.