The early years sector continues to face significant challenges. From recruitment and retention difficulties to increasing SEND demand, evolving regulatory requirements and mounting financial pressures, nursery leaders are being asked to do more than ever before. At the same time, maintaining high-quality provision and positive outcomes for children remains at the heart of every setting's mission.
That's why professional development opportunities at Childcare & Education Expo National 2026 are more important than ever. This year's CPD programme offers seminars from some of the sector's leading experts, helping leaders navigate today's challenges while planning for a sustainable future.
If you're a nursery manager, early years leader, owner or senior practitioner, these are our picks for the top five seminars to attend at Childcare & Education Expo National this year.
1. Strategic Ledership for Sustainable Growth
Friday 2nd October | 12:30pm – 1:15pm
Leadership has never been more critical in the early years sector. Rising operational costs, workforce challenges and changing parental expectations mean that leaders must balance day-to-day demands with long-term strategic planning.
This seminar brings together influential leaders from across the sector, including representatives from Kido Schools UK, Family Adventures Group, Keren's Nursery, and Fountain Montessori, to discuss what sustainable growth looks like in today's landscape.
Attendees will explore:
- Strategic thinking for long-term success
- Financial awareness and risk management
- Workforce development strategies
- Maintaining quality while growing provision
- Practical approaches to building resilience
For leaders looking to future-proof their settings and strengthen their strategic decision-making, this session is not to be missed.
Why attend?
You'll gain practical tools and leadership insights that can help your setting remain stable, profitable and high-quality despite ongoing sector challenges.
2. Continuous Provision - Where the Real Learning Happens
Friday 2nd October | 2:30pm – 3:15pm
While leadership and compliance are vital, curriculum quality must remain central to every early years setting's success.
In this keynote session, renowned early years expert Dr Alistair Bryce-Clegg MBE explores what high-quality continuous provision truly looks like and why it plays such a critical role in children's learning and development.
The session will explore:
- Common misconceptions around challenge and differentiation
- Creating meaningful learning environments
- The role of skilled adult interaction
- Sustained shared thinking
- The connection between wellbeing, engagement and learning
Leaders responsible for quality improvement and curriculum development will find this particularly valuable.
Why attend?
The session offers leaders a clear framework for evaluating and strengthening continuous provision across their setting, helping improve outcomes for children while supporting practitioner confidence.
3. Building a Resilient Early Years Workforce: Recruitment, Retention & Wellbeing
Saturday 3rd October | 12:30pm – 1:15pm
Perhaps no issue has dominated conversations in early years quite like staffing. Recruiting qualified practitioners, reducing turnover and supporting employee wellbeing remain major concerns for settings across the UK.
Sponsored by Tapestry, this panel discussion tackles these challenges head-on, bringing together experts from safeguarding, nursery operations, business consultancy and workforce development.
Topics include:
- Attracting talent into early years education
- Improving staff retention
- Supporting practitioner wellbeing
- Creating positive workplace cultures
- Building resilient and motivated teams
The discussion promises practical solutions and real-world examples from leaders currently facing these issues within their own settings.
Why attend?
A strong workforce is the foundation of quality early years provision. Leaders will leave with actionable methods to help recruit, retain and support their teams.
4. A Strategic Vision: Delivering Inclusion Holistically Across Your Setting
Saturday 3rd October | 1:30pm – 2:15pm
As the number of children requiring additional support continues to increase, inclusion has become a key leadership priority. However, creating truly inclusive environments requires more than individual interventions, it demands a whole-setting approach.
This seminar, sponsored by Community Playthings, examines inclusion through multiple lenses, including neuroscience, SEND expertise, educational leadership and practical early years experience.
The panel will explore:
- Identifying barriers to learning
- Creating inclusive learning environments
- Embedding inclusion across organisational systems
- Evidence-informed approaches to SEND support
- Practical strategies that can be implemented immediately
Featuring specialists such as SEND advisors, inclusion leaders and education executives, the session focuses on sustainable, organisation-wide solutions.
Why attend?
Leaders will gain practical ideas for embedding inclusion into policies, environments, staff development and everyday practice.
5. Exploring Regulation Reform with Ofsted
Saturday 3rd October | 2:30pm – 3:15pm
With changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) coming into effect in September 2026, staying informed is essential for every provider.
Delivered by senior representatives from Ofsted's Early Years Regulatory Policy team, this session offers attendees a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the regulator about upcoming developments.
The seminar will cover:
- What the 2026 EYFS changes mean for providers
- How reforms will impact inspection and regulation
- Examples of effective practice
- Guidance for settings looking to expand
- Regulatory expectations moving forward
As one of the few opportunities to hear directly from Ofsted at the event, this session is likely to attract significant interest. Booking early is recommended.
Why attend?
Understanding regulatory changes before they affect your setting can help you prepare effectively and avoid unnecessary surprises during inspection.
Final Thoughts
The challenges facing early years providers are complex, but so are the opportunities. Whether your focus is strategic growth, workforce wellbeing, inclusion, regulatory readiness or curriculum quality, the programme at Childcare & Education Expo National offers valuable guidance from some of the sector's brightest minds.
For early years leaders looking to maximise their time at the event, these five seminars provide an ideal blend of leadership development, operational strategy, compliance insight and educational excellence.
If you're attending the expo this October, make sure these sessions are on your agenda - they could provide the ideas, strategies and inspiration needed to help your setting thrive in the year ahead.
Register for your free Childcare & Education Expo ticket today.
To attend the CPD seminars, book your seminar pass by 18th September to secure the early bird price of £17 + VAT.
