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Past student conferences
Past student conferences
These conferences are designed to support students on their learning journey presenting information about key aspects of Early Years and Education, as well as careers advice and support. The students will have the opportunity to interact within the session and to contribute their ideas for learning in the upcoming conferences.
The student conference will introduce the concept of professional development, include professional guest speakers including an insight to occupational roles and inspiring educational experiences. Students will enjoy focusing on relevant knowledge and understanding to complement the qualifications they are taking and introduce the benefits of continuing professional development for reflective practice and lifelong learning.
Upcoming student conferences
Join us virtually to explore a range of topics within the sector to gain insight into the varied career pathways available.
Learn moreStudent Conference (February 2026)
During this inspiring student conference, hosted by Janet King and Angie Rogers, students explored what it truly means to be a professional within the Education and Early Years sector.
The session featured a packed agenda with expert speakers who shared valuable insight, research and real-world experience. Contributors included Verity Campbell-Barr, Becky Spry and Dr Jacqueline Harding, who explored higher education progression opportunities, the powerful link between play and neuroscience, and the importance of investing in staff to strengthen and grow the childcare workforce.
Working with babies, children and families (October 2025)
In this student conference, we focus on working with babies, children and families. Janet King is joined by early years and education professionals with fascinating careers and stories, who share their wealth of specialist knowledge and expertise of working with these groups, giving your learners an insight into this sector.
You can also recap the slides from our student conference here.
Working with children and young people (June 2025)
In this student conference, we focus on working with children and young people. Janet King is joined by early years and education professionals with fascinating careers and stories, who share their wealth of specialist knowledge and expertise of working with these groups.
Education and Early Years Student Conference - The unique child (February 2024)
Recap the slides from our student conference, which covered neuroscience in young children, meeting the needs of babies and children in an early years setting, early years opportunities in higher education (HE) and supporting displaced children and families. We heard from a range of speakers, including Kara Tuckey, Head of Apprenticeships at Child Base, Michelle Bugby, Programme Lead at the University of Northampton, Ella Lloyd Newman from The SEEN Project, Zoe Welsh, Teacher at Bristol Primary School, and Stacy Mann, Senior Advisor at Campaign for Learning.
Working in Education and Early Years (October 2024)
In this milestone tenth student conference, Janet King is joined by a variety of sector experts and Early Years students, giving an insight into the careers and exciting opportunities that are available within this vital sector.
Professional development for the reflective practitioner: Early years and supporting teaching and learning (October 2023)
During this conference, students learnt about the career opportunities in this rewarding sector. We had a packed agenda with some fantastic speakers, including Laura Thornley, Learning Development Manager at My Choice Homes, Nicky Everett and Emma Booth, Lecturers in Childhood Development and Playwork at Leeds Beckett University, Kelly Hill, Founder and CEO of The Early Years Company and Owner of Codsall Community Nursery, and many more.
Enriching professional practice and communities (June 2024)
Janet King, Stacy Mann and Angie Rogers are joined by a variety of experts and students for this lively and informative conference, covering topics such as teamwork, working together to benefit the child, professional practice, intergenerational care, culture, social mobility and more.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in education and childcare (June 2023)
Watch our virtual student conference where we heard from a range of speakers discussing SEND in education and early years, including: Amanda Richardson, Founder and Chief Executive of Action Cerebral palsy Catherine McLeod MBE, Chief Executive of Dingley’s Promise Jason Wood, Education Manager at The Wave Project Katy Mitchell, Education Advisor at The Ewing Foundation Paul Drury, Senior Lecturer, and Lorna Wardle, Principal Lecturer, at Nottingham Trent University Students from North Tyneside Council.
Student conference (February 2023)
Catch up on February’s student conference to explore the importance of positive relationships in a child’s life for holistic, healthy, enabling opportunities that lay the foundation for future outcomes. During the event we considered the impact of the physical and relational environment against a pedagogical and theoretical framework.
Autumn student conference (September 2022)
This virtual event covered key information about careers in education and childcare, including early years and working with children and young people. Subject specialists from NCFE were joined by professionals from across the sector to explore the career pathways learners could take, sharing insight from their own experiences and occupational roles.
Student conference (November 2021)
Our first student conference, which aimed to leave attendees feeling inspired and raring to begin or continue their journey in the exciting world of education and childcare.
Working in this area is much more than a job; it's a unique career with various paths to explore, and the world of early years and education has never been more exciting and rewarding.
Education and childcare student conference (May 2022)
Our third virtual education and childcare student conference, which focused on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in early years and education.
Spring term student conference (February 2022)
With Children’s Mental Health Week taking place on 7 February 2022, students benefitted from a conference that highlighted how to support children with their mental health and to consider the role that they play in the children’s and families lives.