Purposeful Provision Conference
Pudsey (Leeds, UK)
28th February 2026 9:30am-1pm
Guess what?
The Purposeful Provision Conference is making a grand return, and this time, we're heading to Leeds in February 2026!
Our theme this year is 'Creating YOUR Language Symphony" and we're targeting settings with children from birth through to the end the Reception Year.
"Creating YOUR Language Symphony" is all about giving you an inspiring mix of practical ideas you can put to use straight away. Much like a symphony brings together different instruments to make beautiful music, we believe that truly effective language development happens when you blend a variety of simple, tried-and-tested approaches. We hope you’ll leave the conference not only energised but also confident and ready to craft your own unique language ‘symphony’ in your nursery or classroom, tailored perfectly to your children and their needs.
We're incredibly mindful that budgets are stretched to the limits so this conference is going to be delivered on a 'shoe string.' That means we're pulling back on some of the 'extras' and focussing on the core - the learning. We've lined up a set of wonderful workshops for you to choose from and some wonderful vendors to chat and network with.
This half day event is running at Pudsey Civic centre. We've chosen this site to support our local economy (3 and out of the 4 workshop trainers live within 1 mile of the centre). This site is easily accessible both by road (with plenty of parking and local bus routes) and by train (nearest rail station, New Pudsey, is a 5 minute walk).
This conference is perfect for practitioners and leaders working in group settings such as schools and private nurseries as well as childminders, playgroup staff, parent support workers and interested parents.
The conference starts in...
Tickets
£37
Pay by Card, PayPal or invoice.
Meet the speakers...
You get to pick 3 workshops to attend:
James Tunnell
Director NurseryNook
Keynote: Creating a Language-Rich Environment
Workshop 1: Talking with, Not At: Simple Strategies for Rich Interactions
This workshop is for all practitioners who want to move beyond generic questions and turn every interaction into a meaningful learning opportunity. We will explore practical, hands-on strategies to improve the quality of daily conversations with children.
You'll discover how to shift from "testing" a child's knowledge to genuinely talking with them, building on their ideas in the moment. We will explore simple but effective techniques like:
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Commentating on a child's play to model rich vocabulary and full sentences.
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The power of pauses and wait time to give children space to think and respond.
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How to use sustained shared thinking to co-construct ideas and extend learning together.
By the end of this session, you will have the tools to create a more dynamic, reciprocal, and language-rich environment for every child.
Workshop 2: Using Treasure Baskets for Language Development
Join Mel for an interactive workshop focused on building language skills in our youngest learners. Mel will guide you through the creation of a 'Treasure Basket' using a variety of everyday objects.
You'll discover how these simple collections can be used to spark curiosity and enrich vocabulary for babies and toddlers. This session is perfect for practitioners working with all ages as Mel will explore how treasure baskets evolve over the whole of Early Years.
In this 50-minute session, you will learn:
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How to build a stimulating Treasure Basket from scratch.
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Effective ways to use the basket to introduce new words and concepts.
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Practical tips for continuing to build vocabulary with children of all ages and abilities.
Come and explore how simple resources can become powerful tools for communication and learning.
Melanie Shepherd
NurseryNook Coach
Olivia Corbin-Phillip
Stories With Liv
Workshop 3: The Problem with Books: Storytelling in Early Years
Are the books on your shelves holding you back? A book is just paper and ink until someone brings it to life... If you’ve ever found yourself dreading story time or wondering why children aren’t as engaged as you’d like, this session is for you. Together we will explore why the books we choose matter, and why choosing the right book for the right moment makes all the difference. We’ll look at the hidden reasons you might not be enjoying reading and breaking down practical tips and playful techniques to reignite your own love of stories. You’ll leave with a newfound confidence and plenty of ideas for taking storytelling beyond the book.
Workshop 4: The Magic of Songdrawing
This hands-on workshop invites you to explore Songdrawing which is a playful blend of music, movement, and art. Together we’ll look at how creative activities can nurture children’s confidence, self expression, and sense of belonging. Through Songdrawing and interactive play, you’ll discover simple ways to help children connect with others, share feelings, and build positive relationships. We’ll focus on practical strategies that support emotional wellbeing, encourage collaboration, and give every child a voice. You’ll gain practical strategies that combine music and drawing to foster social growth, self-expression, and inclusive learning for all children.
Stephanie Warrender
LauLau Learning
Tickets:
We're extremely keen to make sure this conference is accessible to all. We've worked hard to make sure this conference is being delivered responsibly and as affordably as possible. We've arranged sponsorship for the more costly aspects of the event and found ways to cut back expenses so we can really focus on the learning. That's why we're super thrilled to bring this conference to you at the cost of £37 per person.
You can purchase tickets below. You can paid immediately via Bank card or PayPal or select invoice. If you wish to spread the cost of your tickets please note all tickets must be paid for by the conference day.
If you need to cancel your ticket please ensure you do so with a minimum 96 hours notice before the start of the conference otherwise the full cost will be charged.
Our venue:
Our Conference is being held at Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawsons Cor, Stanningley, Pudsey LS28 5TA.
The Civic hall has a huge car park and step free access (including a lift).
The Nearest rail station is New Pudsey (0.3 miles - 6 minute walk).
The Nearest bus stop is located at Dawsons corner and serves the 72 (from Bradford Interchange and Leeds City Bus Station).
Book your tickets
If paying by invoice please select 'manual payment' at checkout.