Stronger Together: Business Growth & Leadership for Early Years Providers

Date & Time: 07th October | 10:00 - 12:00

The Early Years sector has experienced a rapid transformation in recent years. From the rollout of 30 hours for three and four-year-olds of working parents to the recent expansion of funded places for children from nine months old.

These developments have been both disruptive and defining. With the major changes now in place and no significant reforms expected in the near future, it’s time to pause, take stock, and plan ahead with clarity and confidence.

This interactive session is designed to help you do just that.

We’ll guide you through a focused review of your current business model, explore how sector-wide changes are shaping new approaches, and provide you with clear, practical tools to future-proof your childcare business.

If you haven’t yet taken time to realign your strategy with the evolving funding landscape, this session is essential.

You will leave with:

• A refreshed view of your business model

• Tools to support informed decision-making

• A practical roadmap to plan for long-term sustainability

Now is the time to move from reacting to reshaping. Let’s plan your business for the new normal, together.

Register your place

Delivered by:

Mark Copsey, Director, Redkite Innovations

Mark Copsey is the Director of Redkite Innovations and has supported hundreds of childcare providers across the North of England since the rollout of the 30-hour childcare entitlement in 2017. He also serves as a director of a not-for-profit nursery in Durham, offering hands-on experience in the day-to-day challenges of the sector. Currently undertaking a PhD focused on the business of childcare, Mark brings a unique perspective that blends academic insight with practical expertise from both strategic and operational viewpoints.

Date & Time: 14th October | 10:00 - 11:30

As the expanded 30-hour childcare funding rolls out, Early Years providers are facing a wave of change and opportunity. With more parents actively searching for funded places, standing out in a crowded market has never been more important.

This practical and supportive webinar is designed for nursery owners, managers, and directors who want to confidently boost occupancy, communicate their value, and future-proof their marketing strategy.

We’ll explore how to:

• Review and refresh your Unique Selling Points (USPs)

• Attract families beyond the “free childcare” mindset

• Market additional services like wraparound care

• Build digital visibility and trust in your local area

• Use AI tools to save time and strengthen marketing

You’ll leave with ready-to-use ideas, real-life examples, and a downloadable prompt library to support your next steps.

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Delivered by:

Jo Whitehead, Business Advisor – Growth, GM Business Growth Hub

Date & Time: 21st October | 10:00 - 11:00

This session will introduce the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter and explore its relevance to the early years sector. Attendees will gain an understanding of the Charter’s development and its importance to improving employment standards across Greater Manchester.

The seven characteristics of the Good Employment Charter will be outlined, with a focus on how they can apply to the early years sector. The session will also highlight common challenges faced by the sector and share examples of how other organisations have addressed similar issues. Attendees will be introduced to the upcoming Employment Rights Bill, expected in 2026/27, and learn how engaging with the Charter can help early years employers prepare for future legislation. Guidance will be provided on how to get involved with the Charter and access support.

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Delivered by:

Carol Halford, Head of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter Unit

Carol is the Head of the Good Employment Charter Unit. She has spent the majority of her career working on post-16 education and skills issues within the public sector, holding both operational and leadership roles. Her experience includes working with colleges and independent training providers, as well as within government funding agencies such as the Cambridge Training and Enterprise Council and the Cambridgeshire Learning and Skills Council, before returning home to Greater Manchester to work at the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council and Wigan Council. Before joining the Charter Unit, Carol was Chief Executive of an independent post-16 training provider. In her current role, she works directly with employers to support them in adopting good work practices.

Date & Time: 04th November | 10:00 - 11:30

This interactive workshop offers entry-level insight into Diversity and Inclusion, supporting delegates to build fair and inclusive work environments.

Throughout the session, attendees will explore key themes in the context of Early Years settings:

·       The benefits of DEIB in Early Years organisations

·       Legal frameworks and responsibilities, including the Equality Act, discrimination, and positive action

·       Moving towards fairness and equity of treatment

·       Implicit human bias – the positives and negatives of human nature

Attendees are encouraged to comment and ask questions as topics arise, and will leave with practical ideas they can implement in their own environments.

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Delivered by:

Adrian Bird, Head of Aspire in Partnership

Adrian is the Head of Aspire in Partnership, an inclusive recruitment service funded and delivered by the Growth Company. The service supports organisations in diversifying their workforces and delivering on social value commitments & objectives. He has over 10 years of experience supporting individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in gaining sustainable employment.

Date & Time: 11th November | 10:00 - 11:15

Supporting Compliance, Planning, and Communication in Line with EYFS 2025

Join us this October for a live webinar designed specifically for Early Years leaders, managers, and practitioners in England who want to explore the practical benefits of using ChatGPT in their settings.

With the revised EYFS Statutory Framework now in effect (from 1 September 2025), this timely session will demonstrate how AI can support you with curriculum planning, policy writing, parent communication, and inspection readiness – all while saving valuable time.

This structured and supportive webinar will show you how to use AI to:

• Plan EYFS-aligned activities with clear learning intentions and inclusive adaptations

• Create or update safeguarding and operational policies in line with the new requirement

• Promote your setting and communicate effectively with families

• Write job descriptions, CPD prompts, and staff induction tools

• Support the rollout of new consumables policies and safer eating procedures

You’ll see live demonstrations, take part in interactive polls, and have the opportunity to ask questions during a live Q&A. You’ll also receive a downloadable Prompt Library to support implementation after the session.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your use of AI, this session will equip you with practical, real-world examples tailored to Early Years practice under the new EYFS framework.

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Delivered by:

Jo Whitehead, Business Advisor – Growth, GM Business Growth Hub

Date & Time: 18th November | 10:00 - 11:30

In Greater Manchester (GM), we strive to give every child the best start in life, recognising that our diverse early years workforce is key to unlocking their potential. This workforce includes professionals from Early Education and Childcare, Health services, Early Help services, Local Authority roles, and the Voluntary sector, all playing vital roles in planning and delivering services for children and families.

To support this workforce, GMCA has developed GM REFLECT, a competency framework designed to enhance skills, promote integrated working, and provide access to further training and professional development. GM REFLECT focuses on developing leadership at all levels, ensuring a cohesive approach to early years education and care.

Join our webinar to learn about GM REFLECT and its benefits for your early years setting. GMCA colleagues will provide background and context, outline the framework's components, and demonstrate how early years leaders can use these assets to strengthen practice. Attendees will also hear case studies and strategies on fostering high-quality care, teamwork, and continuous improvement, as well as tips on leading with confidence, inspiring staff, and building a positive culture.

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Delivered by:

Jane Gardiner, School Readiness Project Manager, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

Jane is the School Readiness Project Manager at Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). With a background in sport and physical activity, she has spent the past 18 months leading work across the GM School Readiness Programme. Jane collaborates with early years leads and practitioners across the city region to develop innovative projects that aim to improve outcomes for young children. Her work supports the ambition that every child in Greater Manchester starts school ready to learn and thrive.

Jan Robinson, Early Years Consultant, Jan Robinson Early Years ltd.com

Jan is an experienced early years consultant and founder of Jan Robinson Early Years Ltd. She has worked in nursery and primary schools, held leadership roles within local authorities, and supported families across the early years sector. Jan is currently Chair of Governors at a maintained nursery school and daycare centre. Her qualifications include a B.Ed. (Hons), a Postgraduate Diploma in Language Development, an MA in Early Childhood Studies, and the NPQICL. Since retiring from local authority work in 2019, she has focused on consultancy, currently working with GMCA to lead the development of GM REFLECT.

Date & Time: 25th November | 10:00 - 12:00

Values-led organisations are successful because they are living, breathing cultures of shared values. They don’t just talk the talk, they walk it!

That authenticity builds trust, encourages commitment, and creates cultures where people are motivated to perform well and want to belong.

Join us for this interactive webinar session, where we will explore how to align your organisation's vision, purpose, and values to ensure that your core values are not just stated, but actively embedded in everyday behaviours, decisions, interactions, and relationships.

You will discover the real Power of Values to motivate and guide our behaviours, explore the key components and drivers of organisational culture, and gain ideas for redefining and refreshing your values.

You will also come away with a range of practical tools and techniques for you to apply in your leadership role to embed values more deeply into your organisation’s culture.

Register your place

Delivered by

Jo Lord, Leadership, Skills and Social Impact, GM Business Growth Hub

Jo is a Leadership, Skills, and Social Impact specialist at GM Business Growth Hub. She is an experienced organisational development professional, leadership specialist, and coach, with over 25 years of experience working across private, public, and third-sector organisations in a wide range of industries. Jo specialises in delivering leadership and culture change programmes for both large and small organisations, helping them adopt a values-led approach to leadership and people development.

With a background in learning and development, as well as economic and community regeneration, Jo is passionate about supporting organisations to build the capacity of their leaders. Her work focuses on creating meaningful and lasting change that improves performance, raises aspirations, and helps teams achieve the ambitions of their organisation and the communities they serve.