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:
- 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
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.
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 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.