The Department for Education launched the hubs as part of its Covid recovery programme in 2022. Led by the National Children's Bureau, they share knowledge and evidence-based approaches to early years practice across 18 regional hubs.
Gill Holden, early childhood programme lead at the National Children’s Bureau, said, 'Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs, like the one visited by the Education Secretary, are creating effective networks of regional early years providers, settings and childminders, that learn from each other through peer support to improve outcomes for children.
'The Hubs have enthusiastically embraced an evidence-based approach to tailoring support to meet the needs of under-5s in their areas. Based on a sound understanding of what works, the support these networks provide to the sector is vital for the development of young children so they can enjoy the best possible start in life.'
Meanwhile, starting this month the DfE is also expanding the Maths Champions programme, a collaboration between the National Day Nurseries Association and the Education Endowment Foundation, to train 800 more maths champions in nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools.
An evaluation of the programme showed children in settings receiving the Maths Champions programme can make an average of three months’ extra progress in maths compared to their peers.
Early years educators in this year’s first cohort of 156 settings will take up the training this month.
Purnima Tanuku said, ‘NDNA’s Maths Champions programme has been shown to boost children’s outcomes when it comes to their early maths and language skills. There is evidence that the impact could be even greater for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
‘Programmes like Maths Champions will be a significant tool in achieving the Government’s improved early learning goals target, giving children the best start in life as well as reducing the attainment gap.’
Emily Yeomans, Co-CEO of The Education Endowment Foundation, said, 'Our independent evaluations of the Maths Champions programme have consistently shown its potential in establishing solid foundations in maths for young children. Crucially, this potential is even greater for children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
'A strong grounding in early maths is so important for setting up children for later success, acting as a fundamental enabler of later opportunity. So I’m delighted that we’re able to offer hundreds of early years settings access to the programme this year so that many more children can benefit.'
- More information on the Stronger Practice Hubs programme can be found here.
- More information on the Maths Champions programme can be found here. At the time of writing, places were still available to sign up for training between March and June 2025.
