Quarter 2 2026: What we’re hearing from the nursery sector

Inclusion and SEND continue to sit at the heart of current debate across the nursery sector

Across the Nursery World Big Day Out and wider conversations, the mood in early years is one of deep commitment under intense pressure. Leaders are trying to build sustainable, inclusive, high quality practice at the same time as juggling workforce strain, funding concerns and rising expectations from parents and regulators.

Several themes reappeared across the sessions. Inclusion and SEND continues to sit at the heart of current debate. Speakers challenged the sector to move from reactive support for a few children to a proactive culture where neurodiversity, language differences and disadvantage are expected and planned for. That means environments designed to regulate emotions, staff confident in early communication strategies, and practical engagement with new SEND guidance rather than waiting for external experts to arrive.

There is a strong appetite for professional growth-from structured apprenticeships and clear qualification pathways, to meaningful CPD and peer to peer mentorship. Providers want early years to be seen as a serious, long term career, with practices that are high quality and sustainable. At the same time, there is unease that staff wellbeing, mental health and time for reflection are being squeezed by day to day operational demands.

Finally, there is a growing recognition that safeguarding is broadening. Leaders increasingly connect traditional welfare practice with issues such as anti discrimination, digital safety and poverty. The question many are leaders are asking is not just “are we compliant?” but “are we building cultures where every child and every adult genuinely feels safe, seen and supported?”

1. https://www.nurseryworldsbigdayout.com/2026-programme
2. https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news/schools-urged-to-deepen-early-years-partnerships-ahead-of-reception-transition
3. https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/news/send-reforms-at-risk-over-educational-psychologist-shortage-research-warns
4. https://ndna.org.uk/government-competition-markets-authority-nursery-charges/