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Conference Exhibition Place
By invitation only
Early Intervention, Lasting Impact Conference
27th November 2026
Please refer to your invitation email for full details
Venue: The Gateway Conference Centre, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF
Buckinghamshire Early Years Annual Conference
Early Intervention, Lasting Impact
Be part of our annual Early Years Conference and join colleagues from across the sector for an inspiring day of learning, collaboration and fresh thinking. Drawing on the Best Start in Life Plan, this exciting event will bring together expert speakers, engaging workshop sessions and opportunities to explore effective practice that can make a lasting difference for children and families.
Delegates will hear from keynote speaker Gary Wilson: What if we started by listening to our boys? Drawing on a wealth of experience and the powerful voices of young children themselves, renowned education consultant Gary Wilson explores how understanding boys’ perspectives can transform outcomes from the very beginning of their learning journey.
With time to network, share ideas and reflect on practice, this is a valuable opportunity to recharge your professional thinking and return to your setting with renewed energy, confidence and practical strategies.
Our marketplace will offer the opportunity to connect with exhibitors and discover resources, services and support that can enhance outcomes for the children and families you work with. You will also have valuable time to network with colleagues from across the sector, exchange ideas and build connections that strengthen collaborative practice.
Conference Workshop 1 - An Exploration of the Importance of Outdoor Adventurous Play for all by James Davolls
This workshop can only be booked once your conference place is confirmed and a payment is received.
Click here to purchase a conference place
Unpaid bookings will be cancelled
James Davolls, an Outdoors Play Specialist, Early Years Teacher, Author and EYFS/KS1 lead based in Bristol. James has worked in a diverse range of Early Years settings for over a decade and has taught in Nursery, Reception, and Year 1. James has led the Early Years settings in many of these schools, improving their EYFS practice, knowledge, and outcomes.
This workshop will be looking at current research, including time to reflect on your own settings, you will be given several hands-on, quick, and easy ways to upskill your outdoor space (regardless of shape or size!).
Conference Workshop 2 - Let's Talk and Move by Helen Guntrip
This workshop can only be booked once your conference place is confirmed and payment is received.
Click here to purchase a conference place
Unpaid bookings will be cancelled
Helen Guntrip is the Founder of Talk & Move and a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Preschool Yoga Teacher.
Helen has worked for over 22 years with educators and families supporting them to develop children’s communication skills and confidence in a fun and holistic way. Talk & Move’s mission is to support the whole child. Helen has developed this unique approach that combines body movements with vocabulary, speech sounds and phonological awareness development. The programme is accessible and inclusive, respecting the individual development of every child.
"Learn ways to support children's speech, language & emotional regulation through movement"
Join in with the Talk & Move ABC: Active, Balancing and Calming moves that you can use with children to improve their phonological awareness and emotional regulation. Helen will be talking how and when speech sounds develop and the importance of phonological awareness and multisensory learning for language and literacy. There will be opportunities to purchase Talk & Move resources and ask questions.
Conference Workshop 3 - Supporting EAL Children in the Early Years by Rachael Turkington and Marzena Fernando
This workshop can only be booked once your conference place is confirmed and payment is received.
Click here to purchase a conference place
Unpaid bookings will be cancelled
This fun, interactive and practical session will provide tips for supporting children with English as an Additional Language in your Early Years provision.
Rachael Turkington is an experienced Early Years Advisor for Buckinghamshire. She has worked in a variety of roles in Early Years Education for over 25 years, including Senior Leadership and Headship. Rachael has worked for the Department of Education, and is an Early Years trainer for the Bucks, Berks and Oxon Maths Hub. Along with gardening and cats, one of her other passions is supporting provision for learners who use English as an Additional Language.
Marzena Fernando has started her journey in Early Years and Primary Education back in Poland where she completed Masters Degree and gained Qualified Teacher Status. After her arrival in UK Marzena started her career in the nursery as an EY Educator and quickly progressed in her career taking roles as SENDCo, DLS, Deputy Manager and a Manager. She has worked across many nurseries including large chains and acquired post degree diploma in EY - EYPS. Marzena is a baking enthusiast and loves travelling with her young family.
Conference Workshop 4 - Develop understanding of the role of physical development when supporting children with SEND by Rachel Mitchell
This workshop can only be booked once your conference place is confirmed and payment is received.
Click here to purchase a conference place
Unpaid bookings will be cancelled
Rachel Mitchell, Buckinghamshire Early Years SEND Advisor.
Rachel Mitchell is an experienced Early Years teacher with over 20 years of experience working across education. She has held a range of leadership and advisory roles, including Foundation Stage Co-ordinator within a primary school, advisor and trainer for children's centres, and trainer for the Neuroinclusive Education Network (NEN). Rachel is currently an Early Years SEND Advisor for Buckinghamshire Council, where she is passionate about supporting inclusive practice and improving outcomes for young children with special educational needs and disabilities. Alongside her commitment to early years education, Rachel is dedicated to helping practitioners develop confidence, knowledge, and effective strategies to meet the needs of every child.
Attending this training will:
- Highlight the importance of physical development, movement and sensory play for children’s development and how it relates to other areas of learning.
- Give practical ideas, strategies and resources to support children’s physical and sensory requirements.
- Give time to consider the setting’s environment and create a physically enabling environment.
- Learn how to engage and support parents when understanding children’s physical and sensory needs.