Blog
The Importance of Physical Education in Early Childhood
Discover why high-quality PE in early childhood builds lifelong wellbeing, confidence, and joy—with insights from Early Years PE advocate Josh Candy.
15 April 2025
Early Years PE is a specialist provider of high-quality, imaginative physical education sessions designed specifically for children aged 5 and under. With a strong focus on playful, story-based activities, their sessions help children build essential movement skills while supporting wider areas of development, including confidence, communication, and social interaction.
Recognising that Physical Development is often underrepresented within early years settings, Early Years PE offers a fresh, engaging approach that brings movement to life in a way that’s both developmentally appropriate and deeply enjoyable for children.
The Early Years PE curriculum has been developed through years of hands-on experience in nurseries and early years environments. Founded by educator and coach Josh Candy, the programme blends foundational sports skills with the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), delivered through imaginative and child-led sessions.
Each six-week block introduces children to a different sport using fun mascot characters and themed adventures:
Through these story-driven sessions, children develop key physical competencies while also exploring teamwork, problem-solving, and personal growth.
Early Years PE adopts a holistic approach, embedding learning across the EYFS’s seven areas. Sessions are thoughtfully structured to nurture physical development while reinforcing literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills. Storybooks, props, and themed activities ensure children remain engaged and excited throughout.
The team also delivers seasonal celebration weeks and bespoke activities tied to major sporting events, helping children stay active and inspired year-round.
Founder Josh Candy brings over 15 years of experience in coaching and teaching, including a background in Secondary PE and eight years delivering PE sessions in nurseries. His vision is to elevate the role of physical education in early years settings and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive through movement.
Supporting Josh is Jade Candy, Director of Early Years PE and a qualified early childhood educator with over a decade of experience in nursery education and SEN coordination. Alongside them is Kate Greaves, a dedicated Assistant Coach with a passion for inspiring children through fun, energetic sessions.
“At Early Years PE, we are proud to champion gender diversity and inclusivity across all areas of our work. We firmly believe that children benefit from seeing a diverse range of role models in their early years, and we are committed to breaking down outdated stereotypes around who teaches, coaches, and inspires young learners.
We actively encourage the inclusion of male educators and coaches within early years education and are passionate about ensuring that our work promotes a positive, inclusive image of men working in nurturing, developmental roles. Through our programmes, we aim to show children that care, kindness, and physical activity are for everyone – regardless of gender.
By working collaboratively with others in the sector who share this vision, we hope to contribute to a more balanced and representative early years workforce that reflects the world children are growing up in.”
Discover why high-quality PE in early childhood builds lifelong wellbeing, confidence, and joy—with insights from Early Years PE advocate Josh Candy.
Nutritional Therapist and Early Years NutritionConsultant
At the intersection of health, nutrition, and early years education stands Louise Mercieca, a dynamic force in the realm of nutritional well-being for young children. A prolific writer with numerous articles and the notable book ‘How Food Shapes Your Child’ under her belt, she has delved deep into the intricacies of how food impacts a child’s development.
Her passion was kindled by two key elements: the journey she undertook with her young son and the extensive research she carried out for her debut book. Not just an author, Louise further extends her reach through the airwaves with her radio show ‘Food For Thought’ on Teacher Hug Radio.
Louise’s commitment doesn’t stop at raising awareness. As an Early Years Nutrition Consultant, she actively collaborates on menu development and nutritional education, ensuring that children receive a balanced and informed start to their dietary journey. Her driving belief is unequivocal: by understanding the bond between food and biology early on, we can preemptively address and potentially prevent many health and dietary issues adults grapple with later in life.
Her dedication to this cause positions her as a beacon for professionals in the Early Years sector, guiding them to understand the pivotal role food plays in holistic child health.
Chef Trainer at LEYF
In the vibrant world of child nutrition and culinary training, Sean Cowden shines as a beacon of expertise and dedication. As of 2022, he took the reins as Chef Trainer for LEYF’s esteemed Early Years Chef Academy courses. Initiated by LEYF in 2019, the Early Years Chef Academy emerged from a pressing need: to guarantee that young learners receive the essential, nutritious food vital for their growth and cognitive development. Through this initiative, chefs are meticulously trained not only in the culinary arts but also in the nuances of child nutrition, sculpting them into experts that inspire children, staff, and parents alike to cultivate lifelong healthy eating habits.
Before his esteemed tenure at LEYF Nurseries, Sean donned the hat of a Head Chef at an independent school, bringing his culinary flair to the academic arena. Additionally, his role as a Training Specialist for Gail’s Bakery further showcases his diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to the world of culinary arts and education.