Early Years Conference draws global educators

30 Mar 2026

Cambridge’s first-ever Early Years Online Conference on 10 to 12 March brought together almost 10,000 educators from around the world to explore the power of play with leading experts in early childhood education.

The free online event featured nine sessions covering topics from playful approaches to mathematics and literacy, to the role of physical environments in supporting focused, regulated learning. Speakers included leading researchers, practitioners, and curriculum specialists, united by a shared conviction: that play is not a break from learning — it is learning.

If you missed the conference you can register to watch all recordings from the sessions for free. You can also read insights from the sessions on our blog:

• Creative approaches: how can we build on play? – three of the keynote speakers discuss what their research and experience has taught them about the need to create an active learning environment specifically tailored to early years children.
• How early years play builds self-regulation skills for life – with self-management skills emerging as a priority for student future-readiness in Cambridge's recent research, Dr Janet Rose, Principal of Norland College, explores how early years practitioners can build self-regulation and resilience through play.

Cambridge Early Years is a play-based programme for children aged three to six, designed to nurture curiosity, confidence, and communication from the very start of education.