We’re excited to welcome back our Virtual Conference stream for 2026. Online, accessible and practical for early years professionals and practitioners everywhere.
Here are your Virtual Conference stream speakers for 2026.
Your sessions:
Clare Stead – teacher, researcher, and creator of Oliiki Baby Brain Building
The first 1,000 days of life the time from conception to age two, are the most powerful window for brain development. What babies experience in these earliest days shapes their learning, relationships, and well-being for years to come.
In this thought-provoking session, Clare Stead (teacher, researcher, and creator of Oliiki Baby Brain Building) will show why the tiniest routines like feeding, nappy changing, settling, and play are not “just care,” but the very building blocks of learning. You’ll discover how leadership, culture, and simple changes in daily practice can transform your baby room, boost staff confidence, and help babies thrive.
You’ll leave with fresh insights, practical strategies, and a renewed sense of the extraordinary difference you and your team can make in those first 1,000 days.
More about Clare
Clare Stead is an education researcher, e-learning specialist, and the founder of Oliiki, an early years platform focused on the first 1,000 days of life. With over 25 years’ experience across education systems on three continents, Clare works with nurseries to embed consistent, developmentally informed practice in baby rooms, linking everyday interactions to long-term outcomes.
Dan MC – Continuous Provision
More about Dan
Dan McFarland is an experienced, innovative educator with 14+ years in early years and primary teaching. From Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, he has led EYFS teams in Leicester, developed curriculum from Nursery to Year 1, and supported schools across the UK and internationally to strengthen practice and provision. A 2019 finalist for Leicester City Inspirational Teacher of the Year, Dan is known for inclusive environments where children thrive with confidence, curiosity and resilience. Creator of Flying with Phonics, he delivers keynotes and training worldwide on pedagogy, provision, outdoor learning, phonics, leadership and teacher well-being through On Track with Mr Mc online.
Maths on a shoestring for all ages
Is cost an influential factor in deciding what opportunities and experiences to offer children in your setting?
In this session, Gill and Paula will inspire you to look at everyday activities and experiences through a maths lens, sharing high quality, practical, and low-cost ideas you can use to support children’s mathematical development.
For this session you will need:
- 5 lollipop sticks
- Pen/s
- A free, found or recycled item that can be repurposed for use in your setting.
More about Gill and Paula
Gill and Paula are NDNA Early Years Advisers who lead on the delivery of our evidence-based Maths Champions programme. They have a passion for maths and empowering practitioners to be confident in supporting children’s maths learning.
