Thriving Through Change: Business resilience for early years providers

In Greater Manchester (GM), we strive to give every child the best start in life, recognising that our diverse early years workforce is key to unlocking their potential. This workforce includes professionals from Early Education and Childcare, Health services, Early Help services, Local Authority roles, and the Voluntary sector, all playing vital roles in planning and delivering services for children and families.

To support this workforce, GMCA has developed GM REFLECT, a competency framework designed to enhance skills, promote integrated working, and provide access to further training and professional development. GM REFLECT focuses on developing leadership at all levels, ensuring a cohesive approach to early years education and care.

Join our webinar to learn about GM REFLECT and its benefits for your early years setting. GMCA colleagues will provide background and context, outline the framework's components, and demonstrate how early years leaders can use these assets to strengthen practice. Attendees will also hear case studies and strategies on fostering high-quality care, teamwork, and continuous improvement, as well as tips on leading with confidence, inspiring staff, and building a positive culture.

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Delivered by:

Jane Gardiner, School Readiness Project Manager, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

I am an experienced project manager, with a background in sport and physical activity. I have worked across the GM School Readiness Programme at GMCA, for the last 18months, working with early years leads and practitioners from across the city region, to create innovative projects and programmes to improve children’s outcomes in the early years. This aims to ensure that every child in Greater Manchester has the opportunity have the best start in life and start school ready to learn and thrive.

Jan Robinson, Early Years Consultant, Jan Robinson Early Years ltd.com

I am an early years specialist and have been fortunate to have worked in a number of fantastic Nursery and Primary Schools as well as in Local Authority leadership roles

My qualifications include B.Ed (hons); Post Graduate Diploma in Language Development; MA in Early Childhood Studies; Masters Level Certificate in Early Years Leadership and the National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership (NPQICL). In 2019, I decided to take early retirement from my Local Authority role and I set up my own freelance consultancy business with a focus on early years and leadership support and development. I currently work with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) as an independent consultant leading on the development of GM REFLECT.

This webinar will provide essential tax and financial planning insights specifically for owners and managers of early years childcare settings. Attendees will learn how to utilise accountancy tools like Xero, Dext, Reducer, and Futrli to improve efficiency and assist with cashflow forecasting. The session will demonstrate how easy these tools are to set up and highlight their benefits for financial processes, while ensuring compliance with the government's ‘Making Tax Digital’ requirements.

Additionally, the webinar will cover tax reliefs available to early years settings and any changes to taxes from the recent Spring Statement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

There will also be the opportunity to ask questions about financial or tax issues and technical queries, making this session a valuable resource for enhancing financial management in early years settings.

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Delivered by Leavitt Walmsley Associates Limited

The team at LWA have vast experience in providing bespoke advice to individual early years childcare providers, as well as assisting the growth of nursery brands to multiple settings across the North West. This webinar will be hosted by LWA’s Accounts & Audit Manager, Matthew Jones, who is also the firm’s inhouse lead on innovation, alongside LWA’s Tax Manager, Nicola Antley-Slater, who works with the firm’s Director in providing tax advice to specialist sectors.

This engaging webinar is designed to provide a concise overview of services and initiatives that can support and enhance your Early Years provision, including how to access and utilise apprenticeship funding for staff training and building a skilled and motivated team through funded opportunities.

Apprenticeship Levy Opportunities: Discover how the Co-op Levy Share scheme is partnering with The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood (convened by HRH The Princess of Wales) to fund apprenticeships focused on early childhood education, plus learn more about the various Levy services available, both for Greater Manchester and national organisations that work with levy paying organisations to help fund the training and assessment costs of apprenticeships. The services offer help and support during this process.

Early Years Apprenticeships: Learn about the range of apprenticeship programs and recruitment service offered by GC Education and Skills, a social enterprise with over 30 years of experience in supporting individuals to kick-start their careers and achieve their full potential.

T Levels in Education and Childcare: Gain insights into the new Greater Manchester T Level Campaign, learn how you can get involved, what are the benefits and what support is available to you.

Community Support from Local Colleges: Explore how local colleges and community organisations can collaborate to support early childhood initiatives, providing resources and expertise to enhance your services.​

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Delivered by: The Growth Company (MFG Institute), GC Education & Skills and Jo Whitehead, Business Advisor – Growth at GM Business Growth Hub

Join Jo Whitehead, Growth Business Advisor at GM Business Growth Hub for a practical and inspiring session designed to help Early Years providers increase occupancy through smart marketing, digital tools, and time-saving strategies like ChatGPT.

This webinar is tailored for nursery owners, managers, and directors who are looking to grow their occupancy in a competitive and ever-changing market. During the session, we’ll explore how to identify what makes your setting unique, how to position it effectively, and how to communicate your value to prospective families. From understanding your competitors to developing a stand-out offer, we’ll provide step-by-step guidance you can implement right away.

Expect an engaging mix of digital marketing techniques, from optimising your website and social media presence to building a trusted local reputation. You’ll also discover how AI tools like ChatGPT can simplify content creation, help you generate ideas, and save time across your marketing tasks. We'll share real-life examples, sample posts, and prompts you can adapt for your own setting.

By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a clear action plan and a downloadable resource pack full of templates, planners, and tools to put your new strategies into action. Whether your goal is to fill vacant spaces, stand out from local competition, or future-proof your setting, this session is designed to support you every step of the way.

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Delivered by: Jo Whitehead, Business Advisor – Growth at GM Business Growth Hub

This Early Years Masterclass will explore the essential skills and strategies of leadership, coaching, and mentoring to effectively support and empower early childhood educators and teams

Attendees can expect to gain a deeper understanding of how effective leadership can drive positive outcomes for both educators and children, creating an environment of collaboration, growth, and shared vision. We will explore leadership styles, focusing on the importance of adapting approaches to suit different team dynamics and individual needs within early years settings.

The session will also cover the practical aspects of coaching and mentoring, offering strategies to guide educators at all stages of their careers. Discussion will touch on case studies that highlight real-life challenges and solutions, enabling listeners to relate and reflect on their own practices and identify areas for improvement.

We will explore the impact of coaching and mentoring on professional development, emphasising how these practices can help build confidence, enhance skills, and promote a culture of continuous learning.

Throughout the discussion participants can expect to hear from experience, gain insight into proven coaching and mentoring techniques, and hear tips that will enable them to apply new knowledge directly to their work. The masterclass will provide valuable tools and resources to help listeners enhance their leadership capabilities, mentor effectively, and create supportive environments that nurture both staff and children.

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Delivered by: Elaine Sagar, CEO of Sunflower Childcare Group

Elaine Sagar is a dynamic leader in early years education. With a wealth of experience in the sector, she is also the Co-Chair of the Ofsted Big Conversation and NDNA Tameside, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping conversations and policies that impact early childhood education. A professional coach and mentor, Elaine is passionate about empowering educators, supporting their professional growth, and fostering a culture of leadership within early years settings. Her dedication to enhancing the quality of childcare and education has made her a respected figure in the field, committed to driving positive change and improving outcomes for both children and staff.

Details coming soon

This engaging 1 hour session is designed for Nursery Owners, Directors, and Managers to explore the practical and strategic benefits of AI in Early Years settings. We'll demonstrate how tools like ChatGPT can streamline lesson planning, enhance delivery, and reduce administrative burdens, all while aligning with EYFS and Development Matters guidance.

Attendees will see live examples of AI generating EYFS-aligned activities. The session will also show how AI can improve parent communications, develop staff training materials, and support marketing efforts. Whether you're curious about AI or ready to integrate it into your daily practice, this session offers practical ideas, templates, and inspiration.

Expect real-world examples, demonstrations, and time-saving use cases tailored to Early Years leadership. You'll gain insights into enhancing planning, supporting differentiated learning, and saving staff time. We'll explore AI use cases across learning areas, from communication and language development to inclusive practice and sensory planning. You'll leave with practical prompts, ready-to-use strategies, and a clearer understanding of how to confidently introduce AI into your setting.

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Delivered by: Jo Whitehead, Business Advisor – Growth at GM Business Growth Hub

Details coming soon