12 Feb 2026
Cambridge is to host its first ever conference for early years practitioners, dedicated to the vital role of play in early childhood education.
The free, three-day online event from 10 to 12 March 2026 will bring together leading early years experts to share playful approaches to the curriculum and ready-to-use teaching ideas.
There will be nine sessions in total across the three days, exploring how play shapes children’s thinking, wellbeing and development. Participants can register for as many as they wish.
Sessions include:
- Getting the room right: Environments that facilitate focused, regulated play – Professor Sam Wass, Director of the Institute for the Science of Early Years and Youth at the University of East London
- Playful parenting: Supporting parents to understand the power of play - Professor Paul Ramchandani, LEGO Professor of Play in Education, Development and Learning at the University of Cambridge
- Building resilience, relationships and self-regulation through play – Dr Janet Rose, Principal of Norland College, a specialist early years higher education institution in the UK
Jemma Joakim, Head of Early Years and Primary Curriculum for International Education at Cambridge said: “Play drives curiosity, confidence and deep learning; it’s the foundation of how children make sense of their world. This conference will be an opportunity to explore that approach together. I hope practitioners leave energised and recharged, ready to bring fresh ideas straight into their settings, and strengthened by a global community of educators who share a passion for joyful, purposeful play and early learning experiences.”
Sharing expertise globally
Play is a fundamental element of early years education and underpins the Cambridge Early Years curriculum. At this stage of life when the brain is developing at its fastest and is most receptive to learning, taking a play-based approach is proven to support child development.
Cambridge added early years education to its provision five years ago to give schools a coherent pathway from age 3 to 19. Despite only being rolled out globally in 2023, Cambridge Early Years is now taught in more than 700 schools around the world.
How to book
Find out more about the Playfully Serious online conference and register for sessions.
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