At Acorn, investing in the professional and personal development of our people is more than a value – it’s a promise. Each year, as part of our commitment to four dedicated training days, we come together as one organisation for a truly special event: the Acorn Annual Staff Conference.

This year’s conference took place on Friday 30th May at the Ridgeway Centre in Milton Keynes, bringing together staff from all our settings and central support teams. It was a day designed not only for learning but also for building meaningful connections, sharing insights, and recharging with purpose.

The day began with a warm welcome from our CEO, Zoe Raven, who set the tone

 with words of encouragement and a clear vision for the year ahead. She was joined by the esteemed Professor Dr Eva Lloyd OBE, whose reputation in early years research and policy added depth and gravitas to the opening session. We were

 also delighted to welcome Daniel and Narendra to the stage, further enriching the morning with their reflections and shared enthusiasm for the work we do.

One of the standout moments of the day came from our keynote speaker, Kirstine Beeley, a passionate advocate for early childhood education. Her session, titled “Leading Play with Our Hearts,” resonated deeply with our teams. Through stories, humour, and heartfelt honesty, Kirstine reminded us of the power of play, the importance of lifting each other up, and the joy that comes from leading with compassion and creativity.

Throughout the day, staff had the opportunity to connect with a variety of inspiring partners during the conference breaks. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Community Playthings UK, Milton Keynes Play Association (MKPA), YPO, Girl Pack, and Cosy for bringing such engaging and valuable exhibits to our event. Your contributions truly enhanced the experience.

Of course, no gathering is complete without great food, and our thanks go to Anderson Catering, Crayfish Capers Ltd, and Nori Shed for providing an absolutely delicious lunch. Their generous portions and flavourful offerings kept energy levels high and spirits even higher.

The afternoon was filled with hands-on, insightful training sessions led by an exceptional group of external trainers. These included:

• “The Magic of Outdoor Learning” with Jamie Barnes

• “Yoga” with Children Inspired by Yoga

• “Science in Early Years” with Kirstine Beeley

• “Baby Signing” with TinyTalk

• “Wellbeing Workshop” with Jon Manning of Arthur Ellis

Each session was thoughtfully designed to empower staff with practical tools and fresh inspiration, covering a range of topics that support both professional practice and personal wellbeing.

We’d also like to highlight one of the more unexpected – and thoroughly enjoyable – moments of the day: the line dancing lunchbreak! It was wonderful to see so many staff joining in with enthusiasm, laughter, and some surprisingly good moves.

As the day came to a close, one thing was abundantly clear: our staff are the heart of Acorn. Their dedication, openness to learn, and ability to come together as a supportive, unified team is what continues to drive our success.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2025 Acorn Annual Staff Conference such a memorable and meaningful day. Here’s to another year of growing, learning, and thriving together. Check out our video below for all the highlights.