Guidance

Apply to become an early years stronger practice hub

How early years practitioners can apply to become a stronger practice hub.

From:
Department for Education
Published
1 December 2025

Applies to England

Overview

Early years stronger practice hubs:

  • provide advice
  • share good practice
  • promote evidence-based professional development for early years practitioners
  • work closely with local authorities, early years settings and other partners, playing a crucial role in delivery of the government’s early years strategy Giving every child the best start in life

There are currently 18 early years stronger practice hubs – 2 in each region in England. We plan to recruit an additional 18 hubs across England to make a total of 36 hubs.

Who can apply

To be eligible to lead an early years stronger practice hub, your setting must be:

  • a group-based early years setting, including:

    • school-based
    • private, voluntary or independent (PVI)
  • rated good or outstanding by Ofsted
  • providing pre-reception early education

How to apply

Early years settings can apply to become an early years stronger practice hub by completing the application form (MS Word Document, 182 KB). Refer to the application guide (PDF, 582 KB, 27 pages) to help you complete the form.

All completed forms must be received by 11:59pm on 16 January 2026.

Support for applicants

We are holding a short webinar for applicants on 8 December 2025. Register to attend.

Contact details

Email eysph.applications@education.gov.uk.

Updates to this page

Published 1 December 2025

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