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
The early years child development online training is free and 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
This online self-study training:
- covers key areas of child development
- includes written content, videos, knowledge checks, a learning log and practical ideas to use ‘in your setting’
- is flexible and can be completed in any order and a time and pace that suits you
- is up to 16 hours long - aproximately 2 hours per module
- provides a certification of completion for each module
Level 3 special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
The level 3 special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) training is free and is designed for:
- early years SENCOs working in group-based or childminder settings
- aspiring early years SENCOs working in group-based or childminder settings
The course includes:
- online taught sessions and study units
- 3-hour live, tutor-led sessions
- activities such as pre-reading, group discussions and breakout-room work
Participants can choose from weekday morning, afternoon or evening sessions, with a limited number of Saturday sessions for childminders.
Early years special educational needs and disability (SEND) training
The Early Years SEND CPD Training is free to access online. It is designed for all early years educators working with children aged 0-4 years, including childminders, to strengthen inclusive practice and better identify and support children with SEND.
The online training:
- includes 20 hours of content across three topics: foundations of inclusive practice, embedding inclusive practice, and parent partnership
- is fully flexible, and can be completed in any order at a time and pace that suits you
- includes written content, audio clips, reflective activities and practical case studies
Maths Champions
Maths Champions is a free online professional development programme that’s open to PVI, maintained and school-based nursery settings in England.
Maths Champions and Deputy Maths Champions receive:
- one-to-one support from an early years adviser
- training which covers key mathematical concepts and strategies to boost staff confidence
- support to audit current practice and create and implement an action plan to improve maths practice across the setting
National professional qualification in early years leadership
The National professional qualification (NPQ) in early years leadership supports participants to develop expertise in leading high-quality early years education and staff and organisational management.
The course is for leaders qualified to at least level 3 with a full and relevant qualification who are, or want to be:
- managers of private, voluntary and independent nurseries
- headteachers or leaders of school-based or maintained nurseries
- childminders with leadership responsibilities
- other early years foundation stage leaders, such as reception class teachers or early years co-ordinators
The course includes:
- independent study
- group coaching
- face-to-face sessions with other participants
Professionals in many schools and early years settings in England will be eligible for funding to cover their NPQ course fees, subject to eligibility criteria.
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 36 Stronger Practice Hubs across England with 3 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.
Early Years Stronger Practice Advisers (EYSPAs)
Early Years Stronger Practice Advisers (EYSPAs) provide free, tailored support to eligible early years settings and childminders through local Stronger Practice Hubs.
An EYSPA is an experienced early years professional who works alongside leaders to identify strengths, address priorities and improve practice.
EYSPA support can help you:
- strengthen leadership and professional practice
- identify priorities for improvement
- reflect on and develop practice
- create and review action plans
- access evidence-informed resources and training
- embed sustainable improvements in practice and outcomes for children
Participation in the programme offers a supportive, collaborative opportunity to work with an experienced early years professional. Support is tailored to each setting’s needs and will include face-to-face in-setting support for group-based providers and dedicated online support for childminders.
Interested in becoming an EYSPA?
Stronger Practice Hubs are also keen to hear from experienced early years professionals working in high-quality group based and childminder settings who may be interested in becoming Early Years Stronger Practice Advisers. EYSPAs play an important role in supporting improvement across the sector by sharing effective practice, providing tailored support and helping other settings to improve outcomes for children.
Contact your local Stronger Practice Hub to find out more about receiving EYSPA support, discussing eligibility, or opportunities to become an EYSPA.