The government’s Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs programme has launched a new website to support early years practitioners with access to free training, events and resources.

The website allows practitioners to find their nearest Stronger Practice Hub and access information about training and events in their local area, as well as data on tried and tested resources and approaches.

The Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs programme is part of the Department for Education (DfE)’s £180m Early Years Education Covid-19 Recovery Package and is delivered on behalf of the DfE by the National Children’s Bureau.

The site also features information about the programme itself as well as access to other related DfE programmes and the Early Years Evidence Store created by the DfE’s evidence partner on this programme, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).

“The new Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs website will support regional networks of early years practitioners, allowing local authorities and professionals to share invaluable knowledge, research, evidence, advice and resources on early years and supporting the best outcomes for young children,” said Ellie Suggate-Francis, assistant director of the NCB’s Early Childhood Unit.

Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs support early years settings to improve outcomes for across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with a specific focus on personal social and emotional development (PSED); communication and language, and early literacy and maths.

 The first hubs launched in November 2022, with six more announced in July this year, and the programme will be funded until the end of 2024.