Coram PACEY’s annual childcare and early years conference is back!

Following the success of our last conference, we are back in 2026 to engage, celebrate and support childminders and all home-based childcare professionals on a whole new level!

Details

Thank you to everyone who joined at the Bishopsgate Institute in London on Saturday 28 February 2026 for a day of learning, networking and celebrating  to support all home-based childcare professionals including childminders and nannies. Thank you to our headline sponsor Morton Michel, our student sponsor Kinderly and our drinks reception sponsor Twinkl.

The power of home-based childcare

The theme of this conference was ‘The power of home-based childcare’, it aimed to develop professionals’ knowledge on topics including early childhood development, SEND / ALN, inclusion and growing your childcare business. We provded support in key areas of your business including entitlement funding, inspection changes and protecting your business. This is a key opportunity to come together to celebrate the importance of home-based childcare for children and families and our role within the sector.

Talks and speakers

Attendees were treated to a full agenda of inspiring talks and fantastic speaks on topics including:

• Baby steps: why first transitions matter 
• Inclusion, equity, and belonging: a social justice approach to early childhood 
• Growing a successful childcare business and the power of you
• Speech and language 
• Panel talk: The POWER of home-based childcare
• Born to learn: boosting young brains through everyday moments  

Read our post conference talks reflections

• Baby Steps: Why first transitions matter – Coram PACEY
• Inclusion, equity and belonging in the early years: why they matter and how childminders can lead the way – Coram PACEY
• Childminders as powerful business owners: Lessons from Lucy Lewin’s talk at the recent Coram PACEY conference – Coram PACEY
• The power of home-based childcare: connection, continuity and the deep knowing of children – Coram PACEY
• Supporting children’s speech, language and communication: why it matters and how we can help – Coram PACEY
• Prof. Sam Wass and Dr. Gemma Goldenburg: Born to learn: Boosting young brains through everyday moments – Coram PACEY

Workshops

We supported you with practical elements of running your childcare business and will be hosting interactive, engaging workshops to do just that.

Workshop 1: Ofsted inspection changes: Ask your questions, give your feedback

Following the renewed Ofsted inspection approach that came into effect in November, this workshop is your opportunity to speak to Ofsted directly and ask any questions you may have about inspections, understand how the changes will affect your childcare business and find out how the pilot and first wave of inspections have gone. Have you already had your first inspection under the renewed approach and want to give your honest feedback? Now is the time! 

Read our post conference workshop reflection

• Reflection of Ofsted’s workshop at Coram PACEY’s conference – Coram PACEY

Workshop 2: Protecting what matters most: you and your business

Join Sue Lee and Nicola Derwin from Morton Michel for a workshop designed to give you the tools and confidence to have those difficult conversations with parents and put robust policies in place to reduce the risk of unpaid childcare fees and ultimately the risk to your business. This workshop will also explore how you can get the most value from your Morton Michel policy, highlighting the benefits available through ARAG and how they can support you both professionally and personally – with greater confidence and peace of mind.

Drinks reception

The complimentary drinks reception was one of the highlights of our last conference. A chance to get together at the end of the day to socialise, unwind and celebrate all of the amazing, incredible work that you do. Held in the Upper Hall.

Exhibition space

Our exhibition space in the Upper Hall will be filled with early years suppliers and exciting products to purchase. Following feedback from the previous conference, we made sure there was as much stuff to purchase as possible! Our exhibition space also doubled up as a celebration and wellbeing space with a headshot photographer, message table and masseus!

Tickets

We have worked hard to keep our ticket prices as low as possible. We have also reduced our ticket prices from the previous conference to support providers.

Please note, lunch is not included in the ticket price. Please bring your own lunch or purchase from a number of cafes, supermarkets and shops nearby. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

Support and sponsor

We are asking for support from partners to help put on this event and allow us to make this day worth remembering for all of the home-based childcare professionals who provide quality childcare and education for our children. We have a number of sponsorship packages available but we are also happy to have conversations to see how we can better tailor those packages to your requirements.

Whether you want to have a presence on the day to interact with early years providers or you want to be seen by our 12,500 members in the lead up to the event, we have sponsorship packages that can be tailored to your requirements.

Drinks Reception Sponsor