Outstanding Early Years Resource or Service
Literacy Counts – Ready Steady Write
Ready Steady Write EYFS is a fully resourced, evidence-backed writing programme created specifically for reception aged children (4 and 5 year olds). It combines high-quality picture books, drama, oral rehearsal and sentence-level teaching to give children the strongest start in writing. The clear four-part sequence, Jump In, Look, Say & Plan, Say & Write, builds early literacy skills step by step, supporting both foundational knowledge and the development of executive function.
The programme is teacher-led yet child-centred, with Story Friends, Story Songs and interactive resources that make writing visible, memorable and enjoyable. These features reduce teacher workload, provide consistency across classes and give children the scaffolds they need to become confident, independent early writers.
Impact is consistently strong. 100% of teachers reported improved engagement and stronger writing outcomes. 100% agreed pupils mastered key foundational and executive function skills. 97% would recommend Ready Steady Write. Teachers describe the programme as a “game changer” in the Early Years classroom.
The resource is inclusive and sustainable. It supports disadvantaged pupils, SEND and EAL learners through visuals, songs, oral rehearsal and structured scaffolds. Schools across the country trust Ready Steady Write to deliver lasting impact for both teachers and children.
Millhouse (Part of Spaceright Europe) – Millhouse Storytelling Tree
Millhouse has been making early years furniture, here in the UK, for over 40 years.
Through our network of resellers, we supply creative and innovative pedagogical furniture solutions that support learning through play.
We love what we do, and that love is clearly demonstrated in the high-quality design and manufacture of our products, and the passionate and caring way we deliver our value-added services.
Millhouse is committed to new product development and innovation to ensure our indoor and outdoor furniture solutions reflect new ways of learning and emerging trends, while aligning with the areas of learning.
The Millhouse Storytelling Tree is the perfect centrepiece for any early years environment, seamlessly blending functional storage with an inviting and communication-friendly space for story time, quiet play, or relaxation. Its striking tree canopy offers open hooks for fairy lights and closed loops for draping, threading, and displaying artwork—making it as versatile as it is enchanting.
We are incredibly proud of the Storytelling Tree and the many benefits it delivers for children and practitioners.
myHappymind
myHappymind is an award-winning, NHS-backed mental health and wellbeing curriculum used by over 2,000 early years settings and primary schools across the UK, reaching over 1 million children, parents and staff. Grounded in neuroscience and positive psychology, it translates complex research into practical tools that young children can understand and use throughout life.
Across the UK, increasing numbers of children are beginning school without the emotional foundations needed to engage confidently with learning. Research suggests that 37% of children are not school-ready when they start Reception, with challenges around emotional regulation, communication and independence becoming increasingly common.
myHappymind addresses this by teaching practical, science-informed habits that support resilience, emotional regulation and positive relationships. The programme aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage and includes full coverage of the Personal, Social and Emotional Development framework through structured yet flexible sessions.
It also includes a unique five-week School Readiness Programme, giving children the emotional confidence, independence and communication skills needed to start school successfully.
Recognised with the King’s Award for Innovation and the Bett Transformational Impact Award, and independently validated by the University of Chester, myHappymind builds shared language and practical strategies that support positive mental health from the earliest years.
Pupil Pathways – StepIntoSchool
StepIntoSchool delivers a transformative, innovative approach to supporting pupils as they move from preschool settings into primary school. It replaces outdated, paper-heavy processes with a secure digital platform that ensures consistent, high-quality information is shared early, accurately, and in a structured format. By enabling preschools, childminders, and schools to collaborate through one central system, it removes fragmentation and ensures every pupil’s needs, strengths, and circumstances are clearly understood before they start Reception.
The platform’s detailed pupil passports provide a holistic picture of each pupil, highlighting developmental progress, successful strategies, and emerging concerns, including SEND or safeguarding needs. Instant updates allow receiving schools to plan provision proactively, arrange support, and prepare tailored interventions well ahead of time. StepIntoSchool significantly reduces workload by eliminating inconsistent templates and multiple communication channels. With integrated training, responsive customer support, and strong data protection measures, it empowers practitioners to produce accurate, meaningful transition information with confidence.
Local authorities also gain real-time visibility of cohort trends, vulnerabilities, and transition activity through comprehensive reporting dashboards, supporting earlier identification of risk and better strategic decision-making. By ensuring every pupil arrives at school known, supported, and ready to thrive, StepIntoSchool sets a new standard for effective, inclusive primary transition.
Tapestry Childhood Education Platform
Tapestry is an integrated Childhood Education Platform combining a child-centred approach to monitoring and assessment, strong parent partnership, staff development, and nursery management into one connected system.
Created by educators, Tapestry supports child-centred assessment aligned with EYFS guidance while strengthening partnerships between settings and families. Through shared observations, activities, and daily communication tools, parents can actively participate in their child’s development, helping to build continuity between home and provision.
Flexible assessment tools allow settings to work within statutory frameworks or implement their own curriculum approaches. The platform also hosts the Cherry Garden Branch Maps, supporting inclusive practice for children with SEND.
Tapestry’s Nursery Management System further enhances provision by streamlining attendance, staffing, funding, and compliance processes. By integrating operational and pedagogical functions, settings can reduce administrative workload and focus more time on supporting children.
Designed to be intuitive and accessible across devices, Tapestry supports educators with varying levels of technical confidence while promoting environmentally sustainable practice through digital record-keeping.
Used by over 14,000 settings worldwide, Tapestry continues to evolve in response to sector needs, combining educational insight with innovative development.