Physical Development Network: Move to Thrive! Progressing to PE

Ideal for nursery and reception staff looking to enrich movement practice 

As early years educators, we are at the forefront of building strong physical foundations that support not just movement, but confidence, coordination, and a lifelong love of being active.

In this session, we’ll explore how early physical development naturally progresses into more structured physical education (PE), supporting fundamental movement skills.

We’ll look at key movement milestones, developmental readiness, and how to create purposeful movement transitions from play-based physical activity to more formal PE in the early years and beyond.

You’ll leave with practical strategies, activity ideas, and a deeper understanding of how to support every child’s movement journey—from crawling and climbing to catching and kicking.

Let’s jump in and get moving!

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Join our Physical Development Network: Move to Thrive!

A community of early years educators sharing best practices around movement, motor skills, and physical activity.

The network will provide:

• A platform for training, resources, and evidence-based strategies to support children’s physical development.
• A space to promote staff wellbeing through movement-based approaches that benefit both children and practitioners.
• Opportunities to collaborate across settings, share resources, and embed physical development into curriculum planning.

Why It Matters

Physical development is foundational for cognitive growth, emotional regulation, and academic readiness, especially skills like handwriting, coordination, and posture.

What we are offering

A series of three network meetings facilitated by Helen Battelley, designed to build self-belief, confidence and competence.

Network sessions will support staff well-being and nurture a deeper understanding of movement practice and its theoretical underpinnings.

Each session can be accessed as a standalone session, or join all three to deepen your knowledge, understanding, and practice in this prime area of learning and development.

About the Facilitator

Helen Battelley is an internationally renowned consultant, author, and trainer in Early Years Physical Development.

She chairs the National Early Years Active Start Partnership (NEYASP), driving positive change in policy and practice across the UK.

Helen lectures at multiple UK universities, is an AfPE-approved provider, and delivers global training on embedding movement into early years curricula.

She co-developed the Physical Activity Adventure Pack, consulted on Sky TV’s Animal Movers and Mini Me, and created Physical Phonics for the National Literacy Trust.

Helen’s work champions play and physical activity as vital foundations for every child’s development from birth.