Professional Development

Funded professional development and learning opportunities for early years educators across Birmingham.

BEYN Universal Offer

Our Universal Offer is open to all early years educators in Birmingham; designed to build knowledge, confidence, capability, and coherence across the profession.

UPCOMING
Webinar Wednesday: Implementing WellComm in Practice
Sep 9
Webinar Wednesday: Implementing WellComm in Practice

Weekly online learning sessions; connecting Birmingham’s early years community around key themes, practical strategies and shared expertise.

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Project & Partners Information Sharing Session - Autumn Term 2026
Sep 9
Project & Partners Information Sharing Session - Autumn Term 2026

An online session for early years professionals: learn about the latest BEYN projects and connect with key partners across Birmingham.

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Webinar Wednesday: Supporting the Unique Child Through Everyday Transitions
Sep 16
Webinar Wednesday: Supporting the Unique Child Through Everyday Transitions

Weekly online learning sessions; connecting Birmingham’s early years community around key themes, practical strategies and shared expertise.

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Webinar Wednesday: Introduction to Early Years Essentials
Sep 23
Webinar Wednesday: Introduction to Early Years Essentials

Weekly online learning sessions; connecting Birmingham’s early years community around key themes, practical strategies and shared expertise.

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The Unique World of Two-Year-Olds with Kym Scott
Sep 29
The Unique World of Two-Year-Olds with Kym Scott

Exclusively for Birmingham Early Years Educators - A session with Kym Scott on understanding two-year-olds and the implications for excellent practice.

Limited places - first come, first served

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Webinar Wednesday: Language Learning Reflection & Planning Tool
Sep 30
Webinar Wednesday: Language Learning Reflection & Planning Tool

Weekly online learning sessions; connecting Birmingham’s early years community around key themes, practical strategies and shared expertise.

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Unlocking the Power of Stories: How to Tell Them Well with Neil Griffiths
Oct 21
Unlocking the Power of Stories: How to Tell Them Well with Neil Griffiths

Exclusively for Birmingham Early Years Educators - Join internationally renowned literacy expert and Storysack® creator Neil Griffiths for a masterclass in the art of storytelling.

Limited places - first come, first served

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North Cluster Autumn Network Meeting: Magic of Books (Hybrid)
Nov 10
North Cluster Autumn Network Meeting: Magic of Books (Hybrid)

Curriculum Conversations: The Importance of bringing stories to life and exploring simple tools that spark rich storytelling experiences.

Join us at Mere Green Library or dial-in online via MS Teams.

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Central & East Cluster Autumn Network Meeting: Magic of Books (Hybrid)
Nov 11
Central & East Cluster Autumn Network Meeting: Magic of Books (Hybrid)

Curriculum Conversations: The Importance of bringing stories to life and exploring simple tools that spark rich storytelling experiences.

Join us at Shard End Library or dial-in online via MS Teams.

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South Cluster Autumn Network Meeting: Magic of Books (Hybrid)
Nov 12
South Cluster Autumn Network Meeting: Magic of Books (Hybrid)

Curriculum Conversations: The Importance of bringing stories to life and exploring simple tools that spark rich storytelling experiences.

Join us at Hall Green Library or dial-in online via MS Teams.

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Project & Partners Information Sharing Session - Spring Term 2027
Jan 13
Project & Partners Information Sharing Session - Spring Term 2027

An online session for early years professionals: learn about the latest BEYN projects and connect with key partners across Birmingham.

Read more →
Project & Partners Information Sharing Session - Summer Term 2027
Apr 21
Project & Partners Information Sharing Session - Summer Term 2027

An online session for early years professionals: learn about the latest BEYN projects and connect with key partners across Birmingham.

Read more →
 
 
CATCH UP
Webinar Recordings
Webinar Recordings

Explore our growing library of webinars featuring leading voices from across the Early Years sector.

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Projects & Partners Information Sharing
Projects & Partners Information Sharing

Listen to the recording and download the slides from the latest Projects & Partners Online Briefing.

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In-Setting Professional Development Series
In-Setting Professional Development Series

Our in‑setting professional development and learning series offers early years practitioners an opportunity to reflect on their practice.

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Local & National Partners

Explore professional development from Birmingham City Council’s Early Years & Childcare Service, alongside opportunities from local partners including HEART Midlands Early Years Stronger Practice Hub, the Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC), and Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) NHS services such as Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Startwell.

You can also access sector‑wide training and learning from the Department for Education (DfE) and other national organisations.

UPCOMING - Bookable CPD
Early Talk Boost @ Edgbaston Family Hub
Aug 14
Early Talk Boost @ Edgbaston Family Hub

Face-to-face Early Talk Boost training at Edgbaston Family Hub; each setting will receive two boxes of Early Talk Boost resources.

Places: 20

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Keeping Little Ones Safe: A Conversation with Childminders about Sleep & Mealtimes
Aug 17
Keeping Little Ones Safe: A Conversation with Childminders about Sleep & Mealtimes

A session for Childminders to explore current best practice in safer sleep and safer eating, helping you to reflect on your own provision and strengthen the safety and wellbeing of the children in your care.

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WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [20 Aug]
Aug 20
WORKSHOP: WellComm Part 1 - Introduction to WellComm [20 Aug]

WORKSHOP DATES for 2025/26

WellComm Part 1: This free online workshop will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

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BCC WORKSHOP: Introduction to WellComm
Sep 23
BCC WORKSHOP: Introduction to WellComm

This free online training, run by Birmingham City Council (BCC) Early Years & Childcare Service, will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

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SAVE THE DATE: Autumn EYC Surgery: Central & East Cluster [In-Person]
Oct 8
SAVE THE DATE: Autumn EYC Surgery: Central & East Cluster [In-Person]

Central & East Cluster Autumn EYC Surgery: Save the date

Venue and time TBC

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SAVE THE DATE: Autumn EYC Surgery - South Cluster [In-Person]
Oct 14
SAVE THE DATE: Autumn EYC Surgery - South Cluster [In-Person]

South Cluster Autumn EYC Surgery: Save the date

Venue and time TBC

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SAVE THE DATE: Autumn EYC Surgery - North Cluster [In-Person]
Oct 20
SAVE THE DATE: Autumn EYC Surgery - North Cluster [In-Person]

North Cluster Autumn EYC Surgery: Save the date

Time and venue TBC

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BCC WORKSHOP: Introduction to WellComm
Oct 27
BCC WORKSHOP: Introduction to WellComm

This free online training, run by Birmingham City Council (BCC) Early Years & Childcare Service, will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

Read more →
BCC WORKSHOP: Introduction to WellComm
Nov 20
BCC WORKSHOP: Introduction to WellComm

This free online training, run by Birmingham City Council (BCC) Early Years & Childcare Service, will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

Read more →
BCC WORKSHOP: Introduction to WellComm
Dec 15
BCC WORKSHOP: Introduction to WellComm

This free online training, run by Birmingham City Council (BCC) Early Years & Childcare Service, will enable practitioners to use the WellComm Toolkit within their setting.

Read more →
SAVE THE DATE: Spring EYC Surgery - South Cluster [In-Person]
Feb 2
SAVE THE DATE: Spring EYC Surgery - South Cluster [In-Person]

South Cluster Spring EYC Surgery: Save the date

Venue and time TBC

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SAVE THE DATE: Spring EYC Surgery: Central & East Cluster [In-Person]
Feb 4
SAVE THE DATE: Spring EYC Surgery: Central & East Cluster [In-Person]

Central & East Cluster Spring EYC Surgery: Save the date

Venue and time TBC

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SAVE THE DATE: Spring EYC Surgery - North Cluster [In-Person]
Feb 11
SAVE THE DATE: Spring EYC Surgery - North Cluster [In-Person]

North Cluster Spring EYC Surgery: Save the date

Time and venue TBC

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Qualifications and Other Learning
DfE: Help for Early Years Providers
DfE: Help for Early Years Providers

Resources, activities and support articles from the DfE for childminders and practitioners working with children aged 0-5 years.

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HEART Midlands Early Years Stronger Practice Hub
HEART Midlands Early Years Stronger Practice Hub

The Stronger Practice Hub for Birmingham is HEART Midlands. Explore their current offer via their website.

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Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC)
Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC)

Explore professional qualifications and development opportunities from CREC, tailored to your role and aspirations.

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BCHC: Children’s Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)
BCHC: Children’s Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)

BCHC Speech and Language Therapy team provide specialist support to children (0-19) with a range of specific speech, language and communication difficulties.

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BCHC: SEND Occupational Therapy
BCHC: SEND Occupational Therapy

BCHC SEND Occupational Therapy supports children and young people to improve their confidence in daily activities and build independence skills in early years settings.

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Startwell Birmingham
Startwell Birmingham

Startwell offers a wide selection of online and in-person training courses for practitioners working in Birmingham; covering healthy eating, physical activity, and oral health from babies to pre-school.

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Best Start in Life: Funded Early Years CPD
Best Start in Life: Funded Early Years CPD

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.

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DfE: Early Years Child Development Training
DfE: Early Years Child Development Training

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.

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Recommended Listening

Early Years Podcasts

Check out our recommended early years podcasts.

The Froebel Trust podcast: Created for educators and early years leaders interested in finding out what a Froebelian approach to early education is all about.

The Froebel Trust podcast: Created for educators and early years leaders interested in finding out what a Froebelian approach to early education is all about.

Little chairs, huge laughs. Famly's Tiny Chair podcast covers daily dilemmas, pedagogy puzzles, and heaps of interactive games. It’s the only EY podcast that’ll make you giggle.

Little chairs, huge laughs. Famly's Tiny Chair podcast covers daily dilemmas, pedagogy puzzles, and heaps of interactive games. It’s the only EY podcast that’ll make you giggle.

Best Beginnings is the podcast for everyone working in or caring about the early years. Hosted by George Looker, CEO of Babyzone.

Best Beginnings is the podcast for everyone working in or caring about the early years. Hosted by George Looker, CEO of Babyzone.

This is Early Years is a monthly podcast from Nursery World which takes a lively look at all things early years education related.

This is Early Years is a monthly podcast from Nursery World which takes a lively look at all things early years education related.

Video podcasts - 'vodcasts' - from Foundation Years, covering a wide range of topics in the early years.

Video podcasts - 'vodcasts' - from Foundation Years, covering a wide range of topics in the early years.

The podcast which truly is the voice of the Early Years workforce in the UK. Each episode, Early Years Practitioner Glenn Denny speaks to a member of the EY sector on issues or topics that they are truly passionate about.

The podcast which truly is the voice of the Early Years workforce in the UK. Each episode, Early Years Practitioner Glenn Denny speaks to a member of the EY sector on issues or topics that they are truly passionate about.

Early Excellence Podcast: Ideas and insights about early childhood education for EYFS & KS1 educators.

Early Excellence Podcast: Ideas and insights about early childhood education for EYFS & KS1 educators.

Early Education PedPods podcast: Pedagogical conversations with Early Years leaders, teachers and trainers.

Early Education PedPods podcast: Pedagogical conversations with Early Years leaders, teachers and trainers.

The Brain Architects podcast: Using the science of child development to improve the lives of the children we interact with every day.

The Brain Architects podcast: Using the science of child development to improve the lives of the children we interact with every day.

Sarah Seaman chats with some of the leading educational influencers across the field, gaining their opinions on the importance of outdoor learning.

Sarah Seaman chats with some of the leading educational influencers across the field, gaining their opinions on the importance of outdoor learning.

Tapestry Talks: Join the experienced education team at Tapestry, alongside expert guests, for insightful discussions designed to enrich your practice and pedagogy in early years and primary education.

Tapestry Talks: Join the experienced education team at Tapestry, alongside expert guests, for insightful discussions designed to enrich your practice and pedagogy in early years and primary education.

TTS Educators' Podcast: Unlocking the potential for learning in the Primary and Early Years.

TTS Educators' Podcast: Unlocking the potential for learning in the Primary and Early Years.

Weekly podcast featuring discussion, reflection, debate and a window into the minds of advocates working with young leaders of tomorrow.

Weekly podcast featuring discussion, reflection, debate and a window into the minds of advocates working with young leaders of tomorrow.

A monthly ‘real talk’ and no-holds-barred podcast hosted by June O'Sullivan which dives into the questions, topics and debates on all things Early Years, Parenting and Social Business – plus much, much more.

A monthly ‘real talk’ and no-holds-barred podcast hosted by June O'Sullivan which dives into the questions, topics and debates on all things Early Years, Parenting and Social Business – plus much, much more.