Training and development opportunities for early years and childcare practitioners
Please view some of the latest training coming up for early years and childcare practitioners in Devon.
As mentioned in a previous Digest post, we are gradually moving early years and childcare training courses from DEL and over to the Devon Education Services Shop. Most of the training has now moved over to the shop, but some training is still on DEL.
You will need a DEL training account in order to book onto the DEL training. If you do not have a DEL account please email: eywd@devon.gov.uk with your full name, a unique email address, the name of the setting where you are currently employed and your job role.
You will need an account in order to book onto training opportunities from the Devon Education Services shop. Register for an account here: Shop registration page | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk). We have provided instructions on how to create a shop account, if you haven’t already got one.
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NEW: Network meeting (face to face)
Network meeting (face to face)
Following the success of last term’s face to face network meetings, we are pleased to be able to run some further face to face sessions for providers in north Devon. We would like to thank Felicity’s Fledglings and Kingsley School Nursery for hosting the previous events.
The sessions provide an opportunity for early years and childcare providers to meet up and network with other providers in the north Devon area for an informal catch up session. You will also receive an update from your EYCA.
Open to all early years and childcare practitioners that work in north Devon.
Dates:
- Wednesday 5th February 2025 (6.30pm – 8.30pm) – Happy Hares Pre-School, Barnstaple
- Thursday 6th February 2025 (6.30pm – 8.30pm) – Snapdragons Pre-School, Bideford
(bookings are being taken from the safeguarding and welfare forum page – the dates will be clearly labelled)
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop: Early Years and Childcare: Safeguarding and welfare forums | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)
Fully funded.
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Safeguarding and Welfare Forums
Safeguarding and Welfare Forums
These forums offer practical advice and support with the aim of providing you with more confidence to carry out your role. The forums will help to keep the early years and childcare sector up to date with safeguarding and welfare elements of the early years foundation stage.
Open to all early years and childcare practitioners including Designated Safeguarding Leads and Deputy Safeguarding Leads that work with children in an early years and/or out of school role.
Forums are offered on a termly basis (two dates per term). These remote sessions are accessed using Microsoft Teams. Each session will be delivered by an EYCA.
(these sessions replace the provider network and safeguarding forums)
Virtual dates:
- Wednesday 5th March 2025 (1pm – 3pm)
- Thursday 6th March 2025 (6.30pm- 8.30pm)
- Tuesday 3rd June 2025 (6.30pm- 8.30pm)
- Thursday 5th June 2025 (1pm – 3pm)
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop: Early Years and Childcare: Safeguarding and welfare forums | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)
Fully funded.
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Safeguarding and child protection training
Safeguarding and Child Protection Core (all early years and childcare practitioners) (previously safeguarding awareness group 2 core)
The safeguarding awareness training is suitable for childminders and all those working in early years and childcare group-based settings (i.e.; assistants / apprentices/ volunteers).
To recognise your role and responsibilities in safeguarding and protecting children, know what concerns to be alert to and how to raise them in line with local processes. The training can be undertaken either as eLearning or a virtual session.
Needs to be refreshed every 3 years.
Virtual dates:
- Tuesday 28th January 2025 (9.30am – 12.30pm)
- Thursday 13th March 2025 (9.30am – 12.30pm)
- Thursday 15th May 2025 (9.30am – 12.30pm)
- Tuesday 17th June 2025 (6pm – 9pm)
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services website: Early Years and Childcare: Safeguarding and Child Protection Core (all early years and childcare practitioners) | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)
eLearning course:
Fully funded.
Multi-Agency Safeguarding and Child Protection (Group 3 Core)
This course is suitable for staff and volunteers who work with children, young people, families and parents or carers where they are in a position to identify signs of child abuse or neglect and who may then be asked to contribute to assessing, planning or intervening and reviewing the needs of the child and parenting capacity where there are safeguarding concerns. This course is also suitable for Designated Safeguarding Officers and Deputies.
Dates:
- 5th March 2025 (9.15am – 2.45pm) – virtual session
- 31st March 2025 (9.15am – 2.45pm) – virtual session
- 23 April 2025 (9.15am – 2.45pm) – virtual session
- 28 April 2025 (9.15am – 2.45pm) – virtual session
- 7 May 2025 (9.15am – 2.45pm) – virtual session
- 12 May 2025 (9.15am – 2.45pm) – virtual session
- 4 June 2025 (9.15am – 2.45pm) – virtual session
- 11 June 2025 (9.15am – 2.45pm) – virtual session
As well as attending a virtual session, you will need to complete two eLearning modules and a quiz.
Fully funded for Designated Safeguarding Lead / Deputy.
Book your place via the DEL training website.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Enhanced (DSL/DDSL) training (previously titled Early Years Child Protection Refresher (Group 3) training)
This Enhanced training is for people with designated child protection responsibilities in group-based settings and childminders. Other practitioners should attend the Safeguarding and Child Protection core (all early years and childcare practitioners).
The name of the training has changed (previous known as Early years child protection refresher group 3 training)
The training will comprise of a 4.5 hour session delivered either virtually or face to face.
In order to complete this Enhanced course, delegates must also have completed the following within the last 6 months:
- LADO video learning
- Safeguarding and Child Protection core (all early years and childcare practitioners) (virtual, face to face or eLearning)
Dates for virtual course:
- Tues 10th June 2025 (9.30am – 2.30pm)
- Thurs 17th July 2025 (9.30am – 2.30pm)
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop: Early Years and Childcare: Safeguarding and child protection enhanced (DSL/DDSL) training (online or in person) | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)
Fully funded for Designated Safeguarding Lead / Deputy.
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) training:
LADO Video learning:
After watching a 25-minute video there is a short quiz that is designed to test your knowledge.
The course will provide you with an understanding of the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO); it explains what should be referred to the LADO and, importantly, what should not be referred.
This course is for anyone who works with or cares for children and young people within Devon. It is fully funded.
The LADO video learning is accessed from the DEL training website.
Fully funded.
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Paediatric first aid training
Paediatric first aid training
This 12 hour course is consistent with the criteria set out in Annex A of the EYFS statutory framework.
This course comprises of:
- 6 hours independent study (eLearning)
- 6 hours skills assessment (in person; small groups of 12 maximum)
Dates of skills session:
Wednesday 26th February 2025 (9.30am – 4.30pm) – Newcourt Community Centre – Exeter– FULLSaturday 29th March 2025 (9.30am – 4.30pm) – Willand Village Hall, Nr. Cullompton– FULL
(New dates for summer 2025 will be set at the end of Feb/ beg of March)
Cost: £75 per person
Bookings for this course are now being taken from the SHOP: EYCS Paediatric first aid training | DES (devoneducationservices.co.uk)
(you will need to add both products (eLearning and skills session) to your basket in order to pay and book).
(If you are paying on behalf of a staff member/s you will need to visit your ‘Admin area’ within your shop account and assign the eLearning to the member of staff).
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Children's oral health webinar
The NHS Royal Devon Oral Health Improvement Team will be hosting a free children’s oral health improvement training session provided by Devon County Council and NHS Royal Devon. This is aimed at parents, teachers, carers, support workers, and enablers who work with or care for children aged 0 – 11 years.
Date:
- Monday 28 April 2025 at 6.30pm – Teams
(A Microsoft Teams invite will be sent to your email).
Please book here: Children’s Oral Health (0-11 years) : WEBINAR
Fully funded.
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Portage Workshop - A Small Steps Approach to Learning for Children with SEND
Portage Workshop – A Small Steps Approach to Learning for Children with SEND
The workshop will be delivered over 2 days, face to face at a venue.
This is a certificated training course delivered by National Portage Association Accredited Trainers. You will need to attend all the sessions to meet the standards.
The Portage Workshop is an introduction to the Portage Approach to working with children with additional needs and their families. The workshop is suitable for anyone interested in finding out more about the Portage model, including early years practitioners, therapists and parents. The NPA has set standards for minimum workshop content and length.
Portage is a home education service for pre-school children with special educational needs. This workshop will look at ways in which to support both a child with special educational needs and their family. The principles and strategies discussed are easily transferable to the early years setting. Central to the course are the ‘Portage Principles’ and the ‘Three Circle Model of Portage’.
The training is suitable for: Early Years Complex Needs Practitioners, Early Years Practitioners, SENCOs, Parents/Carers, Children Centre staff, Foundation Stage practitioners
Dates:
Tues 25 and Weds 26 March 2025 (9.15am – 4.15pm) – County Hall, Exeter– FULL
Book your place through the Devon Education Services Shop.
Cost: £50 pp*
- children’s centre staff – please do not make payment, please contact: eywd@devon.gov.uk in the first instance, 5 fully funded places available
- parents – 2 fully funded places – please contact: eywd@devon.gov.uk
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SENDco Forums
Early Years SENDCo Forums
Join your Early Years Consultants and keep up to date with current early years SEND issues and developments. Participate in network discussions with other SENDCos.
Dates:
- Mon 10 February 2025 (1pm – 3pm) – virtual
- Tues 11 February 2025 (6pm – 8pm) – virtual
- Weds 12 February 2025 (4pm – 6pm) – virtual
Book your place through the Devon Education Services Shop.
Fully funded.
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An Introduction to the Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision Framework in the Early Years
Early Years – An Introduction to the Ordinarily Available Inclusive Provision Framework in the Early Years
The Ordinarily Available Inclusive Education framework will set out:
- Expectations that parents can have of their child’s education setting to provide high quality, inclusive practice and what this looks like for all children
- Approaches, provision and practice that is helpful to all, harmful to none and crucial for some
- Strategies that anticipate and therefore prevent common barriers for learning and support equity of access to the curriculum for all
Dates:
- Tues 4 February 2025 (9.30am – 10.30am)
- Tues 4 February 2025 (2pm – 3pm)
- Tues 4 February 2025 (4pm – 5pm)
Fully funded.
Book your place through the Devon Education Services Shop.
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Moving and Handling training
Moving and handling of children with physical difficulties – Initial (in-person) (early years)
This course is provided by Devon Education Services. Early years and childcare places may be part-funded if eligible.
In-person theory and practical moving and handling initial training (for those people who have not trained in moving and handling previously). Suitable for any staff working with a child or young person who has physical/movement difficulties (not suitable for those working with children who have emotional or behavioural difficulties requiring physical interventions.)
Subjects covered:
• Legal Requirements
• Risk Assessment
• Handling Plan
• Intimate Care
• Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
• How to Keep Your Back Safe
• Handling Aids
• Practical TechniquesDates:
- Weds 12 February 2025 (9am – 3.30pm) – Exeter
- Weds 2 July 2025 (9am – 3.30pm) – Exeter
Cost: £147
(or £30* if you are an eligible early years or childcare setting. Please contact: eywd@devon.gov.uk to see if you are eligible to access a subsidised place. Please provide the following information: name and DOB of the child, the setting they are attending or due to start, name, job role and email address of practitioner wishing to attend and a brief description of the physical need of the child).
Book your place through the Devon Education Services Shop.
Moving and handling of children with physical difficulties – Refresher (in-person) (early years)
Devon Education Services also run a Moving and Handling refresher course for those who have previously undertaken the moving and handling initial training (must have been within the past 12-18 months though or full initial training will be required again).
For dates and to book visit the Devon Education Services Shop.
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Conferences and roadshows
Early Years Foundation Stage conference: Growing up well
Join us for the annual EYFS conference – this year focusing to ensure every child can thrive in their early years and will also explore how we can reduce the ‘disadvantage gap’ and ensure that we give all children the very best life chances.
We are thrilled to confirm our first keynote speaker – June O’Sullivan and look forward to confirming more content of the day soon.
Follow the link below to see our full programme and book now on the early bird price of just £75 (expires 23rd May 2025)
Date:
- Thursday 9th October 2025 (9.30am – 4pm) – Sandy Park, Exeter
Cost: £75 (expires 23rd May 2025)
Book by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop: Early Years Foundation Stage conference: Growing up well | DES
Early Years music conference: Nurturing creativity in the Early Years
Join Devon Music Education Hub and Take Art for an inspiring conference focused on the transformative role of music and the arts in early childhood development.
Featuring a keynote address by Dr. Susan Young and a series of hands-on workshops, delegates will explore the ways in which music, movement, and the arts can support young children’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth. Expert facilitators will provide practical, research-based strategies for using music to enrich early learning environments and foster creativity, self-expression, and imaginative play.
This conference offers music educators, early years practitioners, childminders, and students the tools and inspiration to integrate music and movement into everyday learning experiences. Whether through song, musical play, or storytelling, attendees will leave with practical techniques to create music-rich environments that spark curiosity and lay the foundation for a brighter future for young learners.
Date:
- Friday 21 March 2025 at 9.30am – 4pm at Future Skills Centre, Exeter
Cost: £55
Book by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop: Early Years music conference: Nurturing creativity in the Early Years | DES
Getting it right in the baby room
The Nuffield-funded research team behind the baby room blog are launching a FREE Saturday conference called ‘Getting it right in the baby room’.
It’ll be a day of inspiring speakers and engaging conversations all about the baby room, with lots of delicious food thrown in.
Dates:
- 28 June (9.30am – 3.30pm) – Falmouth
- 12 July (9.30am – 3.30pm) – Bristol
Places are limited so if you’re interested and want to book a space, please head to: Getting it right in the baby room Events – 6 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite
Early Education and Childcare Provider Regional Roadshows
January 2025 sees the return of The Department for Education Early Education and Childcare Provider Regional Roadshows for group-based setting leaders and managers.
These roadshows are your opportunity to find out more about current and future policy, delivery and strategy, including the Best Start in Life pillar of the Opportunity Mission and the expansion of childcare to all eligible working parents of children over the age of 9 months, and to share your views, ideas, best practice and the challenges that settings face.
Date:
- Tuesday 3 June 2025 – DoubleTree by Hilton, Bristol City centre
You can register your interest for the regional roadshows here: Department for Education Early Years Provider Roadshows
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News, training and professional development from Devon Education Services
News, training and professional development from Devon Education Services
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