Early Years Movement Mark
Growing Confidence, Competence and Physical Development in Early Years Settings Across Essex
The Early Years Movement Mark (EYMM) was created by the Active Essex team in partnership with the Essex Early Years team. Born out of a clear need to build practitioners’ confidence in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) of Physical Development, the Movement Mark provides free, expert-led CPD through online workshops and community learning sessions.
Since its launch, the EYMM has expanded rapidly, and this growth has enabled a far wider network of practitioners to access high-quality training, current research and practical tools linked to physical development, physical activity and physical literacy.
The Movement Mark hopes to drive whole-setting change in how physical development is prioritised, planned and embedded, supporting more active early years environments.
The programme is also expanding further, with bespoke cohorts currently being developed for the HCRG Care Group to support practitioners across their children’s centres later this academic year.
Working collaboratively, Active Essex has contributed to the development, delivery and ongoing coordination of the EYMM by:
- Designing CPD content in response to practitioner needs
- Delivering six training sessions to date, with at least six more planned for 2026
- Coordinating multiple cohorts and establishing dedicated email groups
- Sharing key opportunities such as funding, free resources and additional CPD
- Producing newsletter content and signposting relevant materials
- Providing 1:1 support to practitioners to enhance understanding and implementation.
The EYMM has already created significant ripple effects. One setting described the programme as “transformational”, using learning from a 2025 session to review their whole-setting approach to Physical Development and Physical Activity.
Influenced by the COM-B behaviour change model and the Creating Active Schools Framework, the setting created and recruited a Physical Development and Physical Activity Coordinator, demonstrating policy-level change and elevated organisational prioritisation of physical development.
Key learnings
It's important to take time to reflect and understand the learnings from work undertaken, to focus on ways to improve in the future
Consistent engagement
Maintaining regular contact with settings to sustain momentum and encourage participation.
Capacity strengthens delivery
Additional support has enabled better coordination and more personalised practitioner support.
Need to embed further
Training should be formally within council-led CPD provision as part of a consistent offer.
