Early Excellence Training and Resource Centre in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was founded by directors Liz Marsden and Jenny Woodbridge at a time when the focus on early years was yet to hit the national policy agenda.
Ms Marsden told Nursery World, 'Twelve years ago we were working as local authority early years advisors - me in Wigan and Jenny in York - when early years was not a priority.'
She said establishing the centre was 'a result of a frustration with the lack of focus on early years - we wanted to promote play-based practice.'
They started working as independent consultants offering training to practitioners in the North-West and Yorkshire and Humber before setting up the centre in an old primary school building.
The school's classrooms have been set up with displays to showcase how different specialised early years resources can promote good practice 'in a visual and tactile' way.
Visitors can see how resources and equipment can work for different age groups and environments, including the outdoors. Equipment is available to buy by mail order. The centre also runs a training programme focusing on the EYFS.
The centre's annual conference, 'Looking closely at children's playful learning', will be held on 17 and 18 June in Huddersfield.
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