International comparisons show the UK has SEND strengths it fails to back

Shabnum has seen early years SEND practice outside the UK first-hand, including visiting nurseries abroad and discussing how different systems approach support pathways. Her perspective isn’t that the UK is flawless, but that it already has strong early years SEND practice that isn’t recognised, resourced, or defended in public debate. She brings conversations back to what actually makes early intervention work in practice, rather than abstract policy claims. This positions her well for international and comparative education discussions grounded in reality.

About Shabnum Bi

Shabnum Bi, podcast guest

Entrepreneur of the Year (MBCC, 2025) and Internationally Recognised Early Years Director of an Ofsted Outstanding Preschool

Outstanding Ofsted overall effectiveness (2025)2025 MBCC Entrepreneur of the Year14th World Leaders Summit speaker & Outstanding Leader AwardFounder & director Early Nurture Pre-School

Shabnum Bi is the founder and director of Early Nurture Pre-School, an independent early years setting in Birmingham rated Outstanding by Ofsted in March 2025. Her work is shaped by a simple but demanding belief: children thrive when they are seen early, supported early, and surrounded by adults who understand both development and family context.

Early Nurture was relaunched from an existing playgroup with a deliberate shift in direction. Rather than expanding numbers, Shabnum capped the setting at 30 children and rebuilt practice around attachment, emotional regulation, and early intervention—particularly for children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. That choice now defines the setting’s reputation.

Her approach has gained recognition both locally and nationally. Early Nurture holds the Birmingham SEND Bronze Award, was named Nursery of the Year (Prestige Awards 2025–2026), and won Awards of Excellence for Early Years Childcare Provider 2025. Shabnum herself has been recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 at the MBCC Multicultural Business & Community Champion Awards and as an Inspiring Leader in Early Years in the West Midlands.

In 2025, Shabnum represented the UK at the 14th World Leaders Summit at the University of Oxford, receiving the Outstanding Leader Award in Leadership and speaking on empowering multilingual families as co-educators.

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