Our NDNA Conference Leadership Stream is packed with guidance and support for leaders and managers in early years. Book from just £75 a ticket.
Your speakers include:
Professor Dr. Ger Graus OBE
Building on his experience as an advisor to the Fondazione Reggio Children, Prof Dr. Graus will cover:
- “Children can only aspire to what they know exists” – aspiration from an early age
- “We don’t know our children well enough” – personalisation, insights and data
- More than a school – how community and family provision is essential, not just desirable
- “The environment is the third teacher” – not every classroom has four walls
- Measuring what we value. A new accountability for a new age.
More about Ger:
Professor Dr Ger Graus OBE is a renowned figure in the field of education – once described as “Jean-Jacques Rousseau meets Willy Wonka”. He was the first Global Director of Education at KidZania and the founding CEO of the Children’s University. In 2019, Ger became a Visiting Professor at the National Research University in Moscow, Russia. He is also a Professor of Practice at the University of Cumbria, United Kingdom, and a Member of the PhD Advisory Council at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Ger is a frequent keynote speaker at some of the world’s leading education conferences. Driven by his famous mantra that “Children can only aspire to what they know exists”, Ger champions the cause of equity, progress, purpose, creativity, and innovation in children’s learning.
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Stephen Morgan MP, Minister for Early Education
Hear an update from Stephen Morgan MP, Minister for Early Education, on the UK Government’s priorities for early education and care.
More about Stephen:
Stephen Morgan, first Labour MP for Portsmouth South, studied at local schools and was the first in his family to go to university. He has worked in local government and was CEO of a charity supporting rough sleepers, carers and young people. He became Minister for Early Education in July having previously served as Shadow Minster for Schools.
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Darren Edwards – Adaptive Expeditions
Darren Edwards is one of the world’s leading Adaptive Adventurers and has broken barriers across the globe. In his keynote, Darren will share his story of overcoming a near-fatal and life-changing accident and how practitioners within the early-years sector can harness the mindset which has allowed him to redefine ‘impossible’ and achieve several World Records despite his disability. Whether you’re a leader within a business, and/or part of a team, Darren will provide the audience with key takeaways about leadership, teamwork, and resilience.
More about Darren:
After a time in the armed forces, and pursuing his mountaineering passion, Darren trained as a teacher. Shortly after qualifying, he was climbing in North Wales when the ledge he stood on fell away, and he plunged over 100 feet. Lucky to survive, he broke his back in two places, severing his spinal cord. Darren was paralysed from the chest down. As well as dealing with the trauma of his new circumstances, he faced a gruelling rehabilitation regime and an uncertain future.
Within days of leaving hospital, Darren found purpose. Determined to return to his outdoor adventures, he bought a kayak and took to the water for the first time. It was the start of a series of adventures that saw him kayak the length of Britain with fellow ex-servicemen and become the first wheelchair user to complete the 777 challenge – seven marathons on seven continents over seven days. Later this year, he will sit-ski across Antarctica to the South Pole.
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Laura Earnshaw, CEO and Founder of myHappymind
This session explores practical strategies for nurturing staff well-being in nursery environments, with a focus on creating a supportive and mentally healthy workplace culture. In this session, you’ll gain insights into emotional regulation and science-backed tools that promote resilience and well-being among your team. Additionally, you’ll discover how engaging parents and understanding children’s needs contribute to a thriving, balanced nursery environment. You’ll learn how your team can use myHappymind’s research-backed approach to build a culture where staff feel valued, supported, and equipped to lead with confidence.
More about Laura:
Laura Earnshaw is the founder and CEO of myHappymind, an organisation committed to delivering preventative mental health education to children, parents, and teachers across nurseries, schools, and homes. Her programmes, myHappymind and myMindcoach, have significantly impacted hundreds of thousands of children in the UK and beyond across 2000+ settings. Before establishing myHappymind, Laura spent 15 years in senior strategic HR roles within FTSE 100 companies, including Accenture, AstraZeneca, and PwC, where she served as the Global Head of Talent and Development.
In 2020, Laura released her first book, My Happy Mind, which soon became a best seller. The Book explores the science and methodologies behind her programs, empowering families to cultivate positive and sustainable habits. Laura is also a trustee on the board of the Mental Health Foundation, reflecting her commitment to integrating preventative mental health into mainstream conversations. Laura is a Mum to 2 and lives in Cheshire.
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