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The Essential Guide to Disability Duties in Early Years 

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The Essential Guide to Disability Duties in Early Years 

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Date: Thursday 21 January 2027

Time: 10am - 1pm

Location: Online

Discover the legal obligations and practical strategies to support every child's right to an inclusive education.

Find out more and register

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Discover the legal obligations and practical strategies to support every child's right to an inclusive education.

This training is for Early Years practitioners in family hub local areas.

The training session will;

1. Summarise how the disability duties in the Equality Act apply in the early years;

2. Consider how the definition of disability applies to young children;

3. Consider what the data tells us about patterns in access and inclusion for young disabled children.

4. Support early years practitioners to understand how the Equality Act applies to their daily practice.

We will only use your contact details to contact you regarding the training or event you have signed up for and will store and process your data in line with our Privacy Policy. You may receive emails direct from Eventbrite regarding your booking or from a National Children's Bureau (@ncb.org.uk) email address depending on the nature of the communication.

For any enquiries, please contact eysend@ncb.org.uk.

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the essential guide to disability duties in early years (practitioners)

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the essential guide to disability duties in early years (practitioners) tickets

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The Essential Guide to Disability Duties in Early Years (practitioners)

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Eventbrite - Council for Disabled Children presents The Essential Guide to Disability Duties in Early Years (practitioners) - Thursday, January 21, 2027 - Find event and ticket information.

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Early Years and Childminders CPD Brochure 2026/2027

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Early Years and Childminders CPD Brochure 2026/2027

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We're excited to share the new CPD Brochure for 2026/2027, packed with training and professional development opportunities for early years settings and childminders across Hackney.

You can view upcoming courses and reserve your places directly via our online portal Bookinglive.

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Early Years and Childminders Training Brochure 2026-27

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A Special Approach to Making it REAL - Free funded webinars

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A Special Approach to Making it REAL - Free funded webinars

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Early years practitioners and Best Start Family Hub staff can discover more about the Best Start in Life strategy, and the role of Best Start Family Hubs and early years practitioners in supporting the home learning environment for families with children with SEND in a series of free webinars this autumn.

Follow the links below to book a place:

22 September 19:00-21:00

1 October 12:30-14:30

13 November 09:30-11:30

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Maths Champions: FREE Early Years Maths Training

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Maths Champions: FREE Early Years Maths Training

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Maths Champions is an online professional development programme with 12 months of access. You do not need to be a member to take part. The programme is designed to improve children’s maths outcomes by giving you access to carefully developed online training, practical tools, and resources. These materials help build the knowledge, skills, and confidence of practitioners in your setting. The programme is made up of nine steps, which you can complete at your own pace and around your schedule.

We have secured funds to deliver the Maths Champions programme fully funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and Department for Education (DfE) to eligible providers in England. Maths Champions has been evaluated by the EEF.d

Find out more

Apply for free access

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Early Years Maths Training

Improving outcomes for children by embedding maths into play and activities.

Maths champions is an online professional development programme with 12 months access. The aim of this innovative programme is to improve children's maths outcomes by providing access to a range of bespoke online training, evaluative tools and resources which can all be used to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence of practitioners working in your setting.

Explore the nine steps of the Maths Champions programme

This programme will increase practitioner knowledge, awareness and confidence in supporting early mathematics in order to improve outcomes for children.

Maths Champions case studies and feedback

NDNA are proud to celebrate the research outcomes.

Private, voluntary, independent providers in England were chosen at random to take part (funded by the Education Endowment Foundation partnered with Department for Education) to evaluate the Maths Champions programme. The key results were astounding:

Maths Champions is low cost but high confidence for impact and value for children.

Children in Maths Champions settings make three months additional progress in both maths and language development.

Evidence suggests EYPP children on Maths Champions programme could make up to 6 months additional progress in maths.
Source: EEF

Explore the research

Supporting improved outcomes for children through participation in the Maths Champions programme

"Staff knowledge and confidence has increased due to our participation in the maths champions programme. Of our 13 staff who audited their confidence, five recorded that they ha d gained confidence in all areas at the end of the programme and the remaining eight staff recorded increased confidence in 60% or more of the areas.

As a result staff now have a much deeper understanding of early mathematics including specific terminology. Staff are engaging in more high quality maths interactions with children , modelling mathematical vocabulary and have a greater understanding of learning trajectories which enables them to plan more effectively for children's next steps in learning."

Join the Maths Champions Programme

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Maths Champions - Bespoke Early Years Maths Training - NDNA

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Research backed Maths Programme deisgned for Early Years settings across the UK, increasing practitioner knowledge, awareness and confidence

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The CHSCP July edition is available here.

Upcoming training and updates includes:

Government Response to Protecting All Vulnerable Babies Better

CHSCP: Group B/C - Safer Sleep Training - Wednesday 28 October 2026 (10:00 - 13:00)

CHSCP: Group A/B/C - Safeguarding Children with Disabilities - Wednesday 9 December 2026 (09:30 - 16:30)

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The DfE have updated their free online training birth to 5

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The DfE have updated their free online training birth to 5

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This flexible online training will help you to:

Build and strengthen your child development knowledge

Get practical advice and ideas to support children in your setting, including reception classes

Reflect on your practice and test your knowledge

Learn from practical training videos filmed in early years and reception settings

Access modules in any order, at any time

Download a certificate on completion of each module

https://child-development-training.education.gov.uk/

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Early years child development training : Home page

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Helping you protect babies and support grieving families. We work closely with health and social care professionals to help them keep babies safe and provide the best possible emotional and practical support to grieving families.

Visit the Professionals Hub

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Information and resources for professionals working with parents with young babies and bereaved families, mostly about safer baby sleep.

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Delivering High Quality Reviews in City And Hackney - Monday 13th July

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Delivering High Quality Reviews in City And Hackney - Monday 13th July

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Monday 13th July 2026 at 1.15pm -  3.30pm

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/zan-voqz-auw

The training workshop supports early years practitioners and health visiting teams in delivering high quality integrated reviews (27th-month progress check) by providing best practice and guidance.

The workshop addresses all required stages of an integrated review and emphasises the importance of collaborating with early years practitioners, health visiting teams, and parents/carers.

It discusses ways to collaborate to benefit the child's health and development progress at 27 months.

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When someone special dies for children under 7 - Child Bereavement UK guide

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When someone special dies for children under 7 - Child Bereavement UK guide

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Activities to help children feel better.

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Bereavement in the Early Years - Baby Steps Guide

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Bereavement in the Early Years - Baby Steps Guide

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Bereavement resources for Early Years settings in Hackney

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The CHSCP June edition is available here.

Upcoming training includes:

CHSCP: Group A/B/C - Safeguarding Children with Disabilities - 24 June

CHSCP: Group A/B/C - Oral Health Care - 2 July

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Free online child development training for all those working in early years

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Free online child development training for all those working in early years

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The Department for Education’s Early years child development training is providing a free, online programme designed by early years experts to support educators working with children from birth to reception.

This flexible online training will help you to:

Build and strengthen your child development knowledge

Get practical advice and ideas to support children in your setting, including reception classes

Reflect on your practice and test your knowledge

Learn from practical training videos filmed in early years and reception settings

Access modules in any order, at any time

Download a certificate on completion of each module

The programme includes 8 modules, covering key areas such as:

Brain development and how children learn

Personal, social and emotional development

Communication and language

Physical development

Mathematics

Effective curriculum and assessment

Supporting individual differences and needs

The training has recently been updated to include:

Additional videos and practical advice for supporting children in reception

Guidance on supporting the EYFS profile assessment

Access the training:
Visit the Early years child development training to register or sign-in if you already have an account.

Free early years resources:

Help for Early Years Providers also offers free resources for educators working with children aged 0 to 5 years. The website has recently been updated to include EYFS profile assessment support  including bite-sized videos and case studies. A new safer sleep page has also been created in collaboration with The Lullaby Trust, providing advice to create and maintain safer sleep environments for babies and young children in their care.

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Early years child development training : Home page

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Join Hackney Education’s upcoming webinar where Best Practice Network will walk through the EYITT and EY SENCO training opportunities designed to support Early Years professionals throughout their professional journey. Please see attached for further details.

Link to register

or email: fis@hackney.gov.uk to register your interest.

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Safer Sleep Resources from The Lullaby Trust

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Safer Sleep Resources from The Lullaby Trust

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It is important to provide babies and children with a safer sleep environment to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies up to 12 months of age, and sudden unexpected death in childhood (SUDC) in children aged over 12 months.

Professional resources are here to help you protect babies and support grieving families.The Lullaby Trust has a range of resources to help you protect babies and support grieving families. Resources include:

Safer sleep for babies: a guide for professionals

Bereavement support leaflet

Safer sleep essentials list poster

Access the resources on the Lullaby Trust website

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Help for early years providers : Safer sleep

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This article was written by the Department of Education in collaboration with The Lullaby Trust.

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Date: Tuesday 23 June 2026

Time: 1pm - 3pm

Location: Children Ahead, 91-93 Stamford Hill, London N16 5TP

The Early Support Team in collaboration with Children Ahead, invite you to the Early Years SENCO forum.

Highlights:

The Importance of Play - Zippy Leigh, Children Ahead

Identifying SEND needs, following a Graduated Response and accessing Early Years Inclusion Funding - The Early Support Team, Hackney Education

Please RSVP to:

jo.matheson@hackney.gov.uk

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_Hackney Early Years Forum With Chinuch UK - 10.02.26

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Making Every Contact Count: MECC Plus, A motivational approach

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Making Every Contact Count: MECC Plus, A motivational approach

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Date: Tuesday 16 June

Time: 10am - 1pm

Location: Zoom

MECC Plus enables professionals and volunteers to use a motivational approach to conversations which support positive behaviours. It builds on the learnings from MECC and takes them a step further, enabling participants to engage service users effectively, address barriers, and strengthen motivation for change.

Who is the training for?

This training is for people who have conversations with residents related to their lifestyles, health or specific decisions like vaccination.

Course Objectives:

The spirit of the motivational approach and core techniques

Draw on the practice of Motivational Interviewing with people who would benefit from behaviour change

Identify what motivation people have to change

Build and strengthen their motivation to change

Course Outline:

Behaviour change and building on MECC skills

Core skills, strategies and processes

Watching and critiquing a model conversation

Putting the motivational approach skills into practice

This 3-hour interactive online session is on Zoom.

Email us to find out more:

meccsupport@smgateway.co.uk

Sign up: https://MECCPLUS_CityandHackney.eventbrite.co.uk

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For information about Early Years Apprenticeships, please see the links below.

Level 2 - Early Years Practitioner https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0888-v1-1

Level 3 - Early Years Educator https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0135-v1-5

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Delivered by Best Practice Network and fully funded by the Department for Education, this 6-month programme is designed for practitioners looking to strengthen SEND support in their setting.

If you are working as an Early Years SENCO, or have an interest in Early Years SEND provision, this is the perfect programme for you. We accept multiple applications per setting, enabling settings to strengthen whole team SEND provision.

Apply by 3 May to join the May EY SENCO cohort!

The Programme

Accredited and fully-funded by the Department for Education

Learn to actively engage with children and their families using the Assess, Plan, Do, Review process

Understand what an effective support plan should include and why clear outcomes are important

Gain the techniques to identify SEND at the earliest point

Learn through online study units

Eligibility checklist

For those working in a setting

Full and relevant Level 3 qualification or above

Working in a Private, Voluntary or Independent (PVI) setting

Places are limited, so early applications are recommended.

If you would like to find out more or chat to our team, please do get in touch.

eysen@bestpracticenet.co.uk

0117 920 9200

Use the chatbox on our website

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How is it delivered?

The Level 3 Early Years SENCO qualification is delivered over 4 months through Online Taught Sessions and Online Study Units.

The Online Taught Sessions are 3 hours long and consist of live tutor-led training, incorporating pre-reading tasks, breakout room activities, group discussion and group training. Participants can choose to complete the Online Taught Sessions on either weekday mornings, afternoons or evenings. There will also be a limited number of Saturday sessions available.

The Online Study Units are delivered through the Canvas Virtual Learning Environment. Login details and induction training will be provided before the programme starts.

Department for Education Announcement

We are delighted with the high level of interest in the Department for Education's Early Years (EY) SENCO training offer. Having more qualified SENCOs in the EY sector will have positive impacts on children with SEND and on the sector as a whole.

Funding is available for 5,000 places in total. Training will be delivered to cohorts of trainees between October 2022 and August 2024. Each cohort will run for four months. Over 3,500 eligible applications have already been received by the Department's delivery partner Best Practice Network.

We are aware that this could mean long wait times for many applicants before commencing the training. This situation is being managed in the following ways:

Training places are being offered to applicants in order of date received and each applicant is being given an indication of when they can expect to commence the training.

A waiting list will come into effect once the 5,000 places have been filled, again operated in order of date received.

Where an applicant withdraws, applicants will move up the queue.

Pre-training activities will be offered, aimed at preparing applicants for the training and supporting them in their SENCO role pending training. Activities will include provision of the course induction book and pre-reading, regular newsletter and programme updates and cases studies from SENCOs.

BPN are expanding the number of places to be made available in early cohorts so that more applicants can take the training sooner.

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Early Years SENCO - Level 3 | Best Practice Network

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The Level 3 Early Years SENCO qualification is delivered over 4 months through Online Taught Sessions and Online Study Units. The Online Taught Sessions are 3 hours long and consist of live tutor-led training, incorporating pre-reading tasks, breakout room activities, group discussion and group training.

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Digital upskilling resource is designed to strengthen providers’ confidence with Microsoft 365 applications. This chaptered recording makes it easy to jump straight into learning how to do practical tasks in Excel, Microsoft Forms, and Word, perfect for supporting smaller providers with everyday operations and business planning.

Making the Most of Digital Tools for Early Years and Childcare Providers on Vimeo

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Making the Most of Digital Tools for Early Years and Childcare Providers

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Chapters
00:03:11 Introduction
00:02:50 Core tools: Forms
00:21:07 Core tools: Excel
00:40:46 Core tools: Word
00:48:48 Alternatives to Microsoft
00:50:59 Signposting, summary and close


To access the resources displayed in the slides, please click the links below:

Wider Learning
Word

Use mail merge for bulk email, letters, labels, and envelopes - Microsoft Support
Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities - Microsoft Support
Track changes in Word - Microsoft Support
Download free, pre-built templates - Microsoft Support
Insert WordArt - Microsoft Support
Create newsletter columns - Microsoft Support


Excel

Use Excel as your calculator - Microsoft Support
Create and format tables - Microsoft Support
Create a chart from start to finish - Microsoft Support
Protect an Excel file - Microsoft Support
Formulas and functions - Microsoft Support
Create a PivotTable to analyse worksheet data - Microsoft Support
Use slicers to filter data - Microsoft Support


MS Forms

Create a form with Microsoft Forms - Microsoft Support
Share a form - Microsoft Support
View results - Microsoft Support
Share and collaborate - Microsoft Support
Format - Microsoft Support


Google Learning Centre

Google Workspace Learning Centre​


Apple Learning Centre

Learning Centre - Apple Education Community



GDPR and Cyber Security

For more information on data protection and your business:​

 https://www.gov.uk/data-protection-your-business 


For more information on cyber security:​ Download the Cyber Action Toolkit available on:​

 https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/small-business-guide​

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The CHSCP April edition is available here.

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A huge thank you to all the settings who took the time to attend the Spring PDN last week. We hope you found it an informative session.

Please review these slides at your earliest convenience, as they contain important funding updates.

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Professional Development Network Meeting Spring March 2026

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Session 1

Wednesday 6th May 2026

9:30am - 12:30pm

In person at Linden Children's Centre

Session 2

Tuesday 2nd June 2026

9:30 - 11:00am

Online

Course overview
Join us to discover how to seamlessly weave mathematical concepts into the activities children already love—from the rhythm of a favourite song and the narrative of a classic storybook, to the familiar comfort of daily routines.

Participants will also explore why your own creativity is the most powerful tool you have and empower you to become a confident, creative practitioner who sees mathematical opportunities everywhere.

The Early Years team has decided to deliver this CPD in two parts, as detailed below. Evidence shows that this delivery style leads to more active learning, provides an opportunity for peer support and improves the chances of transferring the learning back to your setting.

Who should attend?
Practitioners working in the private, voluntary, independent and maintained settings with children aged 0-5.

Spaces are currently available on the course. Please visit this link asap to book your place:

https://hackneyeducation.bookinglive.com/book/add/p/942

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Join us to discover how to seamlessly weave mathematical concepts into the activities children already love—from the rhythm of a favourite song and the narrative of a classic storybook, to the familiar comfort of daily routines.

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Marvel in the Magic of Open-Ended Play (Block Play and Loose Parts)

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Marvel in the Magic of Open-Ended Play (Block Play and Loose Parts)

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Session 1

Wednesday 22nd April 2026

9:30am - 12:30pm

In person at Linden Children's Centre

Session 2

Wednesday 13th May 2026

9:30 - 11:00am

Online

Course overview

Explore the power of open-ended play through the magic of block play and loose parts. This practical and reflective course covers the theory, history, and stages of block play, its benefits for brain development and well-being. Course attendees will also discover links to the statutory guidance plus how open-ended play can be used to develop the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’ and across all areas of learning (such as the exploration of shapes and space, construction, problem solving, language and communication skills, social interaction as well as fine and large muscle control).

Gain practical strategies to enhance your provision, plan enabling environments, support high-quality adult interactions, and follow children’s interests through creative, purposeful play.

The Early Years team has decided to deliver this CPD in two parts, as detailed below. Evidence shows that this delivery style leads to more active learning, provides an opportunity for peer support and improves the chances of transferring the learning back to your setting.

Who should attend?
Practitioners working in the private, voluntary, independent and maintained settings with children aged 0-5.

Spaces are currently available on the course. Please visit this link asap to book your place:

https://hackneyeducation.bookinglive.com/book/add/p/946

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Explore the power of open-ended play through the magic of block play and loose parts. This practical and reflective course covers the theory, history, and stages of block play, its benefits for brain development and well-being. Course attendees will also discover links to the statutory guidance plus how open-ended play can be used to develop the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’ and across all areas of learning (such as the exploration of shapes and space, construction, problem solving, language and communication skills, social interaction as well as fine and large muscle control).

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Wednesday 8th & 22nd April ’26 at 10.00am at The Tomlinson Centre, Queensbridge Rd, London E8 3ND

Friday 5th & 19th June ’26 at 10.00am at The Tomlinson Centre, Queensbridge Rd, London E8 3ND

This 2-day course will support your practice by providing:

A grounding in the 3 tenants of the approach – Containment, Reciprocity and Behaviour Management

An introduction to infant, early childhood and adolescent brain development

An understanding behaviour as a communication

An understanding of development milestones

An understanding of the impact Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Access to Solihull resources for your professional use for three years after course completion

Find out more

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The Solihull Approach is an evidence-based programme supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and their parents/carers. London Borough of Hackney are offering fully funded places to all professionals working with families who live in the borough and are pregnant or raising children aged 0-2 years old.

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Education Endowment Foundation: Early Years Projects

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Education Endowment Foundation: Early Years Projects

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Building the evidence

Take part in one of our new early years projects

We champion evidence in early education by investing in new projects that help to build the sector’s knowledge of what works.

Schools, nurseries and private, voluntary and independent (PVI) settings are invited to take part in four trials and one pilot across England.

The projects will:

provide educators with professional development,

aim to support children's social and emotional, early language or maths development,

evaluate each programme to contribute to the early years evidence-base.

Nursery:

Talk with Tales for Children (TWiTCH) – trial is a professional development programme that aims to improve language interactions and language development among three- and four-year-olds by supporting educators in the early years to use enhanced, high-quality interactions during storytime.

Positive Early Childhood Education (PECE) – trial is a professional development programme for educators in the early years. It provides 22 practical strategies that aim to improve self-regulation and support positive interactions among three- and four-year-olds.

Early Skills for Life – pilot is a universal personal, social and emotional development programme that aims to improve self-regulation and emotional expression among three- and four-year-olds.

Reception:

Maths Through Picture Books – trial is training for reception teachers and teaching assistants to deliver targeted, small-group sessions that teach children foundational maths through picture books and conversation.

OxEd Whole Class and NELI – trial is a universal oral language enrichment programme for Reception pupils to be delivered alongside or independently of NELI, a targeted companion oral language intervention.

Search your setting

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Want to know more about the different types of EEF projects, as well as what taking part means for your setting?

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All inspector training videos about the renewed education inspection framework are now available. You can find them in the schools, further education and skills, and early years sections.

Find out more

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Find Ofsted’s training, learning and professional development publications.

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Join us for our new webinar series, How 50 Things to Do Supports Best Start in Life.

The webinars include:

Watch the recording of Ready to Thrive? How 50 Things to Do Supports a Confident Start to School.

Learning Begins at Home: Everyday Experiences that Build a Strong Home Learning Environment with 50 Things to Do
9th February, 4-5pm

Commissioning 50 Things to Do Before You're Five: Guidance for Implementation
19th March 4-5pm

Talking, Reading, Exploring: Supporting Early Learning with 50 Things to Do
25th February, 4-5pm

Growing Together: Family, Community, and the Role of Shared Experiences with 50 Things to Do
11th March 4-5pm

Commissioning 50 Things to Do Before You're Five: Guidance for Implementation
​​​​​​​19th March 4-5pm​​​​​​​

If you are unable to attend a webinar, it will be recorded.

To find out more and to register for a webinar, please visit: https://50thingstodo.org/audience/small-steps-big-futures/webinars

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Discover our webinar series “How 50 Things to Do Supports Best Start in Life priorities” here

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Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Training Sessions

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Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Training Sessions

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We’re promoting the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training sessions that have been tailored specifically for colleagues working with children and young people in City & Hackney.

These free 2-hour sessions equip staff and volunteers with the skills to have brief, meaningful conversations with young people about the factors that impact their health and wellbeing. The training includes:

What MECC is

Population health and wellbeing in City & Hackney

Key issues affecting children and young people locally

Good conversation techniques

The 3As approach: Ask – Assist – Act

Useful resources and signposting

Importantly, these sessions have been informed by insights from Hackney Youth Parliament. Young people shared what they want adults to understand about their health and wellbeing needs, what makes conversations feel safe and supportive, and how professionals can better recognise the issues that matter to them. This input has shaped the content and examples used in the training to ensure it reflects the real experiences of young people in our borough.

The sessions include theory, case studies, and practical activities, and are suitable for anyone who regularly interacts with CYP and has opportunities to discuss their wellbeing.

Bookings can be made on Eventbrite, and if you have any questions regarding the training, please contact: meccsupport@smgateway.co.uk.

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Evaluating early maths programmes – and why it matters

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Evaluating early maths programmes – and why it matters

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We’ve published two new evaluation reports that add to the evidence base on how early years educators can strengthen children’s mathematical understanding — an essential foundation for later learning.

In a new blog, Julian Grenier shares insights these programmes, which were tested in early years and early primary settings:

Early Number with Numicon

A 14-week programme designed to build young children’s conceptual understanding of number. The independent evaluators found that educators taking part reported increased confidence in teaching maths, children with SEND and EAL responded well to the adapted activities, and settings were able to deliver the programme as intended.

TEEMUP

A 16-month professional development programme for Reception and Year 1 teachers. The independent evaluators found that pupils made, on average, one additional month’s progress in maths, with two months’ additional progress for pupils eligible for free school meals. Teachers also noted improvements in pupils’ confidence and self-regulation.

Together, these evaluations contribute to our growing understanding of what helps strengthen early maths — particularly for disadvantaged children.

Read the blog post

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Boosting children’s understanding of early maths: the EEF releases…

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New evaluations of professional development programmes for early years and key stage 1.

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Concept Cat recognised as an EEF Promising Programme

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Concept Cat recognised as an EEF Promising Programme

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Following positive results in an independent trial and our confidence in the findings, Concept Cat is now part of our Promising Programmes portfolio — a collection of programmes that have been found to boost children's outcomes and are available for settings to access. These programmes are likely to be a good investment for settings’ professional development and Early Years Pupil Premium spend.

Our independent evaluation found that children in settings that used Concept Cat made two months’ additional progress in conceptual vocabulary and early numeracy. Early Years Pupil Premium-eligible children also made three months’ additional progress. This demonstrates how one approach can support both children’s language and mathematical development.

In this blog, Claire Stanley from Goodway Nursery School, highlights how Concept Cat is strengthening their children’s early maths skills through playful teaching of concepts such as long, empty, first and between. These ideas support children’s understanding of maths language, positional language, capacity and comparison — key building blocks for early numeracy.

Read Claire’s blog to discover practical insights on how you can strengthen early maths through rich, concept-based learning in your setting.

Find out more about Concept Cat and how your setting can get involved.

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The EEF is an independent charity dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.

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Hackney's linked Stronger Practice Hub (SPH) is led by Sheringham Nursery School and Children’s Centre. We encourage Hackney settings to engage with their offer.

Please do share any feedback on their offer as well as any future suggestions with Cimone Brown (Early Years Strategy Manager) who would be happy to discuss this directly with the SPH.

Website: https://sheringham-nur.org.uk/stronger-practice-hub/about-sph/

Sign up for their newsletter: A Brighter Start: East London's Stronger Practice Hub Sign Up

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A huge thank you to all setting managers/deputy managers who took the time to attend the Autumn PDN. We hope you found it an informative session.

Please do let the team know if you decide to engage with Grow London Local as it would be great to get some feedback around this.

We are aware that some settings are not listed in the Family Navigator section. If you do not see your setting's name, please contact the family navigator linked to your neighbourhood. If you do not know your neighbourhood, please contact FIS.

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The Solihull Approach team has relaunched under the new name Togetherness. This marks a new and exciting period of our history set to amplify our impact for the future. Alongside the new visual identity Togetherness brings, we’re excited to share some new resources, refreshed materials and exciting events for our communities.

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Nominee training for early years | Ofsted inspections

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Nominee training for early years | Ofsted inspections

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This training video explains the new role of nominee for early years inspections under our renewed education inspection framework. The nominee role is not compulsory. We won't expect childminder settings to have one, and settings will not be disadvantaged if they're unable to nominate someone. This is separate from the nominated individual role (which relates to registration and compliance matters).

The nominee will act as a vital link between your setting and our inspection team, assisting communication and supporting leaders' workload and well-being during inspection.

In this video, you'll learn:

what the nominee role entails

how nominees support the inspection process

key responsibilities and expectations

how to decide if your setting needs a nominee

We also discuss several example scenarios showing the nominee role in practice.

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Nominee training for early years | Ofsted inspections

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Register your interest here

For more information contact:

📞 0208 553 2479 / 075 9616 5918

📧 abrighterstart@sheringham-nur.newham.sch.uk

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Free Early Maths Support For Over 1,800 Early Years Settings

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Free Early Maths Support For Over 1,800 Early Years Settings

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Sign up today for fully funded places on this 12 month online programme through the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and the Department for Education (DfE).

Maths Champions is an evidence-based, professional development programme delivered by NDNA. It is aimed at increasing early years practitioner skills, knowledge, awareness and confidence in supporting children’s early mathematical development.

Commissioned by the Education Endowment Foundation, the independent evaluation team from the Universities of Durham and York analysed the results of the programme, which showed that children in a setting that ran the programme made on average three months additional progress in maths and language development

To read more about the programme visit the NDNA website or watch this short information video.

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FREE Early Years Maths Training

Improving outcomes for children by embedding maths into play and activities.

Maths Champions is an online professional development programme with 12 months access. The aim of this innovative programme is to improve children's maths outcomes by providing access to a range of bespoke online training, evaluative tools and resources which can all be used to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence of practitioners working in your setting.

This programme will increase practitioner knowledge, awareness and confidence in supporting early mathematics in order to improve outcomes for children.

Access Maths Champions for FREE

Eligible providers in England and many Boroughs of London can access Maths Champions at no cost.

FREE for eligible providers in England

We have secured funds to deliver the Maths Champions programme fully funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and Department for Education (DfE) to eligible providers in England. Maths Champions has been evaluated by the EEF.

Join here

FREE for providers in many London Boroughs

Providers in many Boroughs of London can also access both Maths Champions and Language & Communication Champions at no cost, supported by the Mercers' Company as trustee of the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington.

Join here

Contact the team for an invite to an online information session to find out more about the programme and ask any questions you may have.

Maths Champions at no cost

Find out more about NDNA's work with the EEF and DfE to provide Maths Champions fully funded to England early years settings.

Astounding Maths Champions research trial results

Private, voluntary, independent providers in England were chosen at random to take part (funded by the Education Endowment Foundation partnered with Department for Education) to evaluate the Maths Champions programme.

Children make 3 months additional progress

Children in Maths Champions settings make 3 months additional progress

Explore the research

EYPP children make 6 months progress

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds make up to 6 months additional progress

Explore the research

Highest possible security rating

Maths Champions received EEF's highest possible security rating for confidence

Explore the research

Improved staff confidence

EEF found improved staff confidence when supporting children with maths skills

Explore the research

Read an additional study which found that the progress children on the Maths Champions programmes made was sustained into primary school.

Maths Champions case studies and feedback

Staff now have a deeper understanding of early mathematics

"As a result staff now have a much deeper understanding of early mathematics including specific terminology. Staff are engaging in more high quality maths interactions with children , modelling mathematical vocabulary and have a greater understanding of learning trajectories which enables them to plan more effectively for children's next steps in learning."

Not eligible for a free place? Purchase Maths Champions here

FAQs Maths Champions Programme

Maths Champions is an online professional development programme, enabling you to access this from your setting without the need to release staff to attend external training.

The programme contains a range of evidence based training, reflective tools, resources and support from an Early Years Advisor which can all be used to develop staff confidence across the setting.

Research has shown that children who attend a Maths Champions setting make up to three months additional progress in their maths and language development, with this increasing to a potential six months for disadvantaged children (EEF 2023)

The next round of delivery starts early in 2026 with start dates of February, March, April, May and June. Expressions of interest are open now

We will be running live online information sessions which you will be invited to attend if you express an interest which provide more information about the programme and answer any questions you may have so you can make an informed decision about joining the programme.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are allocated a place, one of our project support team will be in touch to discuss your induction and start date.

Maths Champions was shortlisted in the Children & Young People Now Awards 2024 in two categories: The Early Years Award and The Workforce Development Award.

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Maths Champions - Bespoke Early Years Maths Training - NDNA

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Research backed Maths Champions programme designed for UK early years settings, increasing practitioner knowledge, awareness and confidence

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Available Early Years and Childminders Course Training Calendar

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Available Early Years and Childminders Course Training Calendar

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You can access the calendar of our EY/CM training offer for 2025/2026 in the document above.

Visit our online portal to book places on the various courses available.

Please contact us at earlyyears.admin@hackney.gov.uk if you require assistance booking your team members on the courses.

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_EY_CM Full Training Offer Calendar 2025_2026 (1)