MANCHESTER: Alliance Connect Roadshow: Building belonging

9.30am - 4pm, 15 October 2026: King's House Conference Centre, King's Church, Sidney Street, Manchester, M1 7HB

(Not able to join our Manchester Connect Roadshow? This event will also be running in London on 16 April 2026 - find out more)

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Join us for an inspiring event hosted by Alliance director of quality improvement Michael Freeston focused on creating kinder, stronger, and more inclusive early years environments. Hear keynote insights from Wendy Ratcliff and Sam Sleeman-Boss from Ofsted on why inclusion is a golden thread and an evaluation area in the Early Years Inspection Framework and Professor Samantha J Johnson on the potential impact of preterm births on child development.

This event will give you the chance to speak to other leaders and educators in the sector, to learn from experts and share insights that will help you create environments where every child feels valued and supported, with a sense of belonging.

You will also enjoy informative talks from Alliance experts, including Neil Leitch (on reflecting on the consequences of the marginalisation of children, and the critical importance of fostering inclusive early years environments), Richard Knight (on rethinkingdisadvantage beyond the postcode), and Sharon Hill (on keeping humanity at the heart of early years development).

Later, you'll have the chance to take part in a dynamic panel discussion featuring all keynote speakers, led by Alliance communications and external affairs director Shannon Pite, exploring how we can collectively drive inclusion forward.

All attendees will also get the chance to choose two out of four practical workshops to join during the day, delivered by the Alliance's early years experts:

• Supporting multilingual children and families - getting it right from the start (Louise Campbell White)
• Unique families – understanding diverse needs (Alison Heseltine)
• Open doors, open minds – building inclusive teams and environments (Ruth Richardson and Tracey Hobbs)
• Beyond pink and blue – rethinking gender in the early years (Richard Knight)

Throughout the day, you will also have the chance to speak directly with representatives from Ofsted, who will have a stand at the event, and ask them any questions you have about their renewed focus on inclusion. TTS and Smallest Things will also have stands at the event.

Exclusive event giveaways

• The first 50 bookings to the London or Manchester events will receive a FREE copy of our brand-new publication Beyond Pink and Blue: Creating spaces where every child and family member belongs
• Every delegate will receive a goody bag from our event sponsors and official Alliance partner TTS.
• All attendees will also be entered into a prize draw for a TTS Calming Kittens & Calming Cat Regulation Set, worth around £200.

Cost: £55 for members and £90 for non-members (includes lunch and refreshments).

• Professor Samantha J Johnson, University of Leicester - The potential impact of preterm births on child development
• Wendy Ratcliff and Sam Sleeman-Boss, Ofsted - Inclusion as a golden thread and an evaluation area in the revised Early Years Inspection Framework
• Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance - the consequences of the marginalisation of children, and the critical importance of fostering inclusive early years environments
• Richard Knight, Early Years Alliance - Rethinking disadvantage beyond the postcode
• Sharon Hill, Early Years Alliance - Humanity at the heart of early years development
  

Supporting multilingual children and families - getting it right from the start

Recognising the unique advantages multi-lingual children and families bring to an early years setting is the first positive step in effective support. Understanding typical language acquisition, communication profiles and useful strategies to get children to a good level of development is underpinned by inclusive, thoughtful practice that supports all children. Join us for a hands-on workshop where we will develop these concepts into practical ideas to support multi-lingual children and their peers everyday.

Unique families – understanding diverse needs

Key to inclusive practice is understanding the diverse realities of children and their families, but the traditional model of a two-parent heterosexual household is no longer the norm for many in society today. By developing our awareness, we can create environments where all family structures are recognised and respected. With responsive understanding comes trust and collaboration, promoting inclusion and engagement and helping every child achieve their best possible outcomes.

Open doors, open minds – building inclusive teams and environments

This engaging and interactive session explores what effective everyday provision looks like and how thoughtful environments, routines and interactions support all children to thrive. Staff have a vital role in noticing, responding and adapting to children's individual needs to ensure that inclusion is embedded, not an add on. Through reflective discussion and shared experiences, we will build staff knowledge, skills and confidence in developing a proactive, child centered approach to create welcoming settings where everyone is valued, supported and achieves.

Beyond pink and blue – rethinking gender in the early years

This workshop invites early years leaders and educators to look afresh at how gender is understood and expressed in early childhood settings. We will explore the ongoing gender imbalance within the early years workforce and consider why this matters for children, families and the sector as a whole. The session will also examine how well‑intentioned practice can unintentionally reinforce limiting stereotypes about boys and girls, influencing play, behaviour expectations and learning opportunities. Through reflection and discussion, delegates will be encouraged to think beyond “pink and blue” and consider how early years environments can better support all children to thrive.

9.30am – 9.40am: Welcome and introductions - Michael Freeston - Alliance director of quality improvement

9.40am – 10.20am: The potential impact of preterm births on child development - Professor Samantha J Johnson

10.20am – 10.40am: Rethinking disadvantage beyond the postcode - Richard Knight

10.40am - 11am: Humanity at the heart of early years development - Sharon Hill

11.00am – 11.15am: Comfort break

11.15am – 12.00pm: Workshop choice 1

12.00pm – 1.00pm: Lunch and networking

1.00pm – 1.45pm: Workshop choice 2

1.45pm – 2.00pm: Comfort break

2.00pm – 2.20pm: Reflecting on the consequences of the marginalisation of children, and the critical importance of fostering inclusive early years environments – Neil Leitch - Alliance CEO

2.20pm – 2.50pm: Inclusion as a golden thread and an evaluation area in the revised Early Years Inspection Framework - Wendy Ratcliff and Sam Sleeman-Boss, Ofsted

2.50pm – 3.50pm: Panel discussion – How can we embed genuine and meaningful inclusion into the heart of all early years practice? Chaired by Shannon Pite, Alliance communications and external affairs director.

3.50pm – 4.00pm: Prize draw and event close

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