National Early Years Teacher Day is around the corner on the 19th of April. It's an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the crucial role that Early Years Teachers play in the lives of young children.

Go to National Early Years Teacher Day Website

This year marks the first-ever National Early Years Teacher Day! It's an opportunity for us all to take a moment to show our appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Early Years Teachers across the country.

The day is being organised by Best Practice Network, who are also running the National Early Years Teacher of the Year Awards. These awards are a chance for us to recognise the outstanding contributions of individual teachers.

Early Years Teachers are instrumental in providing children with the foundations for a lifetime of learning and development. They are responsible for shaping young minds, helping children to develop social and emotional skills. This helps lay the groundwork for future academic success.

The initiative is supported by The Department for Education, and many other partners. It will be a week of fun and educational activities, including webinars and workshops, leading up to National Early Years Teacher Day on April 19th. These activities are designed to showcase the best practice in early years teaching and to help practitioners to develop their skills further.

Virtual workshops

Playdough workshop - 13th April 12pm-1pm 

Learn how to use creative arts to help a child manage and safely express their emotions.

Sign up

Mindfulness workshop - 17th April 2pm-3pm 

Learn mindfulness techniques such as the body scan to help children check in with their internal thoughts and sensations and then link this to responses.

Sign up

Animal origami workshop - 19th April 12pm-12:45pm & 5pm-5:45pm 

Learn how to make origami bookmarks that you can share with your classroom promoting fine motor skills, reading and language.

Sign up 12pm

Sign up 5pm

Why is it so important to recognise and celebrate the work of Early Years Teachers? 

The first five years of a child's life are critical for their development. Early Years Teachers play a vital role in ensuring that children get the best possible start in life. Early Years Teachers provide children with a nurturing, supportive environment in which to learn and grow. They help children to develop the skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

How do you become an Early Years Teacher? 

To become an Early Years Teacher, a practitioner needs to have Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). They can achieve this through the Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) provided by Best Practice Network. This training equips Early Years Teachers with the skills and knowledge they need to provide high-quality care and education to young children. It's a rigorous programme that covers everything from child development to pedagogy. It prepares Early Years Teachers to be effective practitioners.

What are the National Early Years Teacher of the Year Awards?

The National Early Years Teacher of the Year Awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise the outstanding work of individual Early Years Teachers who have gone above and beyond in their role. The four categories are:

• Early Years Teacher of the Year
• Men in the Early Years (MITEY) Teacher of the Year
• Trainee Early Years Teacher of the Year
• Expert Early Years Teacher (5+ years of experience)

These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Early Years Teachers and to showcase the best practice in the field. By nominating an Early Years Teacher for an award, you can show them that their hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. This will raise awareness of the vital work that Early Years Teachers do.

Why not get involved and nominate an Early Years Teacher for an award today!

Nominate an Early Years Teacher for an Award