Knowsley’s Family Hubs and Children’s Centres have recently achieved “Hygge in the Early Years accreditation”.
Hygge accreditation in the Early Years is a Continuing Professional Development training programme, designed to help educators create cozy, child-centred environments. It focuses on slowing down, nurturing emotional well-being, enhancing environments, and encouraging a “home-from-home” atmosphere, with a 5-module course focused on self-reflection and improving practitioner wellbeing. You can read more about Hygge accreditation here.
It is accredited and recognized by The CPD Accreditation Group and is seen as a mark of high quality early education provision.
Feedback from the accreditation included:-
What you have achieved together is something to be very proud of.
You articulated so clearly why Hygge mattered in your context, particularly in relation to supporting families, raising aspirations, and creating safe, welcoming spaces within your community. This gave the work real depth, purpose, and credibility.
Your reflections also went far beyond the physical environment – Hygge is not just about rooms, but about attitude, presence, and pace.
It was wonderful to see how Hygge has been interpreted and lived across different roles and sessions — from baby massage and family play to story spaces and breastfeeding areas.
I was particularly moved by your focus on families and relationships. The changes you’ve made to shared moments such as snack times, story spaces and calm social gatherings beautifully illustrate how Hygge has strengthened connection, attachment, and belonging — which sits right at the heart of meaningful early years practice.
Cllr David Lonergan, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:
“This is a great achievement for our three Family Hubs and our children’s centres across the borough.
“It’s important that we give our children the very best start in life, by ensuring the best learning environments which are warm, safe and cosey.
“The accreditation is all about empowering early years educators to share their professional knowledge to support a child’s learning and development, alongside valuing their own self-care and wellbeing.
“Well done to everyone involved.”