Training, qualifications, support and guidance
Access free workforce training, qualifications, support and guidance for early years practitioners.
Contents on this page
Training
Early years child development training
This online training is suitable for you, if you are:
- an early years practitioner, including childminders, working in any type of early years setting
- looking to retrain and become and early years practitioner
- a practitioner in the early stages of your career
- a more experienced practitioner looking to refresh your knowledge
- an early years setting leader or aspiring leader
- a teacher or teaching assistant working in a reception class
However, please note the training is universally accessible to anyone who might find it useful, including parents and carers.
This training will help you build knowledge and understanding of child development and get practical tips and ideas to use in your setting.
This online self-study training:
- includes written content, videos, knowledge checks, a learning log and practical ideas to use ‘in your setting’
- can be completed in an order that suits you
- will be up to 16 hours long, which you can complete at a pace and time that suits you
- is free to access
- is open to all
The 8 online training modules cover:
- Module 1: Understanding child development and the EYFS
- Module 2: Understanding brain development and how children learn
- Module 3: Personal, social and emotional development
- Module 4: Supporting language development in the early years
- Module 5: Supporting physical development in the early years
- Module 6: Mathematics
- Module 7: Effective curriculum and assessment
- Module 8: Supporting individual differences and needs
Register and complete the course online.
Qualifications
Early years initial teacher training
This training will give you Early Years Teacher Status (L6) if you are a member of staff with a first degree.
The programme involves a mix of learning at university (in person or remote, depending on the provider’s delivery set-up) and a placement in a setting.
The training is typically completed over a 1 year period.
DfE fully funds the graduate entry and graduate employment-based routes, in addition to providing bursaries and employer incentives.
Content covers:
- setting high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge all children
- promoting good progress and outcomes by children
- understanding early learning and EYFS
- planning education and care taking account of the needs of all children
- adapting education and care to respond to the strengths and needs of all children
- making accurate and productive use of assessment
- safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and providing a safe learning environment
Find an accredited provider of Early years initial teacher training.
Support for all early years practitioners
Stronger Practice Hubs
There are 18 Stronger Practice Hubs across England with 2 based in each government office region. Hubs act as a central contact point for advice and provide professional development opportunities to early years settings and childminders.
The hubs are:
- free to access
- available to all early years settings and childminders
Hubs can support you and your setting by:
- acting as a point of contact for bespoke advice and signposting to other funded support
- sharing information and advice on evidence-based approaches (For example, through newsletters, blogs and social media)
- providing access to a network of local settings to share knowledge and effective practice
Find your local Stronger Practice Hub.