The DfE is increasing the amount of free/funded training that early years educators can access. Find out more about the courses on offer — part of the government’s Best Start in Life strategy.

This toolkit has been created to collate useful resources you need to start, grow, and sustain a wraparound childcare business.

This toolkit has been created to collate useful resources you need to start, grow, and sustain an early years childcare business.

Apply now for Early Words Together from the National Literacy Trust.

Places available for 30 Birmingham settings (first-come, first-served). Settings must have space for joint family/child sessions.

Delivery: Autumn Term (2) 2025 to Spring Term 2026.

Slides from a voiced session of the physical development training session.

Slides from a voiced session of the live wellbeing training session.

Please note that WellComm training is available from the Early Years and Childcare Team for Birmingham settings and childminders.

This programme is a series of ten courses over five years aimed at empowering early years practitioners to deliver inclusive practices by upskilling them through training and shared information/learning resources.

This FREE-to-access training is for Early Years practitioners in family hub local areas. The training session will provide practitioners with a thorough understanding of inclusive practice for SEND in Early Years settings.

Recording of the lecture given by Professor Tina Bruce for The Froebel Trust on children’s play and creativity (Oct 2023).

A guide to neurodiversity in the early years from Anna Freud: National Centre for Children and Families, authored by Kerry Murphy.

Straightforward ‘Beginner’s Guides’ from Tapestry, addressing key topics and issues in early years education; including ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Ableism’.

This free, online training by the DfE provides an overview of child development and gives practical advice for supporting the development of children in your early years setting.

In this webinar, Professor Victoria Murphy considers the key findings of recent research in order to give young children learning English as an additional language (EAL) the best start.

In this webinar, Professor Herb Ginsburg explores the research behind using picture books to promote high-quality learning in EYFS maths.

Early diagnosis of special educational needs (SEND) is essential to ensuring a child has the support they need throughout their education. This training leads to an accredited level 3 early years SENCO qualification.