Training opportunities for early years and childcare practitioners in Devon
Please view some of the latest training coming up for early years and childcare practitioners in Devon which you can find on the Devon Education Services Shop.
You will need a Shop account in order to book onto training opportunities from the Devon Education Services shop. Register for an account. We have provided instructions on how to create a shop account, if you haven’t already got one.
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Provider network meeting (face to face)
Provider network meeting (face to face)
These sessions provide an opportunity for early years and childcare providers to meet up and network with other providers in their area of Devon for an informal catch up session. You will also receive an update from your EYCA.
These face-to-face sessions are all about:
- Connecting with providers in your local area
- Meeting the faces behind your Early Years Locality Team
- Sharing ideas and celebrating what’s working well
- Reflecting together on current challenges
- Helping to shape and steer the service forward
Please note: The provider network meetings replace the early years safeguarding and welfare forums.
Open to all early years and childcare practitioners.
Sessions have already run in North Devon, Honiton and Tiverton.
Dates:
- Monday 16 March 2026 (6.30pm – 8.30pm) – South Brent Old School Community Centre, South Brent
- Wednesday 18 March 2026 (6.30pm – 8.30pm) – Newcourt Community Centre, Exeter
- Tuesday 24 March 2026 (6.30pm – 8.30pm) – Stover School, Teignbridge
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services website: Early Years and Childcare: Provider Network Meeting | DES
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 2 years.
Virtual dates:
- no dates currently
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.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Enhanced (DSL/DDSL) 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 / face to face course:
- Tuesday 7 April 2026 (9.30am – 2.30pm) – Online, Teams
- Thursday 21 May 2026 (9.30am – 2.30pm) – Online, Teams
- Saturday 27 June 2026 (9.30am – 2.30pm) – Online, Teams
- Tuesday 14 June 2026 (9.30am – 2.30pm) – Online, Teams
Needs to be refreshed every 2 years.
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.
* (*as of Sept 2025 – safeguarding training will need to be refreshed every 2 years instead of 3, as set out in the EYFS)
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) training:
LADO Video learning:
This video will give you the essential knowledge and understanding required to manage and respond to allegations appropriately, in line with the statutory guidance outlined in Annex C of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). 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:
- Saturday 9 May 2026 (9.30am – 4.30pm) – Ogwell (Newton Abbot)
- Saturday 6 June 2026 (9.30am – 4.30pm) – Exeter
- Tuesday 16 June 2026 (9.30am – 4.30pm) – Chivenor (North Devon)
Cost: £80 per person
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop.
(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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New to Sendco
Early Years New to sendco
This Early Years SENDCo training provides an introduction to the role of setting SENDCo. The course is for those who may be new to the SENDCo role or for practitioners as a refresher.
The setting SENDCo is an important leadership role, with key responsibilities to ensure that the best possible educational outcomes are achieved for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- develop understanding of SEND
- understand that SEND is a whole setting responsibility
- explore the role and responsibilities of a setting SENDCo
- develop knowledge of how to support SEND
Dates:
- 23 April 2026 (9.30am – 12pm) – Online
- 9 June 2026 (9.30am – 12pm) – Online
Fully funded
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop.
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Early Years 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:
- 18 May 2026 (1pm – 3pm) – Online
- 19 May 2026 (4pm – 6pm) – Online
- 21 May 2026 (6pm – 8pm) – Online
Fully funded
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop.
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Welcome to the baby room
Early Years – Welcome to the baby room
Are you new to the baby room or are you planning to offer baby spaces?
We are offering an introductory training session to identify the key aspects to consider at the beginning of your journey.
The Early Years Sufficiency and Welfare Adviser and Early Years Quality and Inclusion Partner teams will be sharing information and resources to support you to develop your practice and provision.
Date:
- 29 April 2026 (9.30am – 11.30am) – Online
- 4 June 2026 (1.30pm – 3.30pm) – Online
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop.
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Portage workshop
Early Years and Childcare: Portage workshop – a small steps approach to learning for children with SEND
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 course will cover:
- The Portage partnership model of working with parents and other professionals
- Portage principles and how they can be applied in the home and in settings with young children who have additional needs
- Strategies, materials, and resources that can be used in the home and early years settings
- The importance of using clear language
- How to use a small steps approach in teaching children new skills through play
- Strategies to overcome the barriers to play
- Approaches to help children generalise their skills
- Positive responses and approaches to understanding children’s unwanted behaviours
- Strategies for planning suitable activities, assessing progress and recording children’s successes
Dates:
- Tues 12 and Weds 13 May 2026 (9.15am – 4.15pm)
The workshop will be delivered over 2 days, face to face at a venue. You will need to attend all the sessions to meet the standards.
There will also be a follow-up session via Microsoft teams on Thurs 25 June 2026 (9.30am – 11.30am).
The training is suitable for:
Early Years Inclusion Practitioners, Early Years Practitioners, SENCOs, Parents/Carers, Family Hub staff, Foundation Stage Practitioners.
Cost: £50 pp
Book your place by visiting 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:
- Tuesday 16 June 2026 (9am – 3.30pm) – Exeter
Cost: £151.50
(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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Training opportunities from Early Years South West Stronger Practice Hub
Understanding & Supporting Challenging Behaviour (Early Years)
- Exeter Racecourse Kennford, England
- Friday, Apr 24 from 9 am to 4:30 pm
Fully funded.
Join us in person where we’ll dive into the ins and outs of challenging behaviour. This event is all about making sense of challenging behaviour and sharing practical tips. Come ready to learn, chat, and connect in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this chance to boost your skills and confidence!
You’ll have 3 workshops to choose from and we’ll be asking you (after booking) to select which 3, in preference order, you would like to sign up for. Key themes will be:
- Behaviour and Communication
- Behaviour as a result of trauma
- Understanding the behaviours of neurodiverse children
- Looking beyond the behaviour
Lunch will be provided and there is free parking.
Using Music to Support Babies Development with Evolve Music
Free – Half Day Conference hosted by The Early Years South West Stronger Practice Hub.
Come along to a practical session where we will look at the benefits of using music to support babies development. Join us as we explore how music is essential to human connection, how music can encourage early communication, and how music supports wellbeing and regulation. This hands on session will give you tools and ideas to use in your setting and inspire you to get creative.
- Date: Friday 27th March
- Venue: TBC possibly near Crediton
- Timings: 13:00-15:30
This free half day conference will have babies at the heart of everything being shared. There will be lots of practical ideas underpinned with theory.
To attend, you must be an Early Years Practitioner (of any level) including if you work with a reception/foundation class in any of the following areas:
Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall, Torbay, Dorset, BCP, Isles of Scilly.
We welcome people from the same settings requesting to attend. If we become over subscribed we might have to limit attendance to 1 setting per session but we’ll have more of an idea about this as people sign up.
There will be tea/coffee and refreshments served and parking will be free.
Please contact us if you have any questions! eyswsph@yfps.co.uk
Find out more about Hubs, what they are and how we can help you.
Please repeat this process for more than 1 booking!
Getting Settling In Right In The Baby Room – webinar
- 31/3/26 from 9.30pm-10.30pm – online webinar
In ‘Getting settling in right in the baby room’ we’ll explore how to ensure that babies, families and baby room staff are supported during the settling in phase. We’ll think about the challenges that settling in brings for babies, families and staff and then talk through strategies for overcoming these challenges.
Any questions, please contact us: eyswsph@yfps.co.uk
Developing an Inspirational Curriculum Network
Let’s Talk about Curriculum – Online
Timings: 8-9am OR 4-5pm
Dates:
- Thursday 26th March
- Wednesday 29th April
- Monday 1st June
- Thursday 9th July
- Wednesday 23rd September
The Early Years South West Stronger Practice Hub is working in collaboration with the University of Plymouth to develop a network all around early years curriculum. We will develop this network and its focus in conjunction with you. We aim to work with some guest speakers as well as other early years settings who have previously been on a journey to develop their curriculum.
Sessions Outline
Starting with the child – creating a child-centred curriculum for personal, social and emotional development
- Thursday 26th March @8am or 4pm (for an hour)
This first session will provide an overview of a model for developing a child-centred curriculum – a curriculum that is right for you and the children that you work with. The session will provide hands-on examples of activities that can be done in teams for developing the curriculum. The session will then focus on looking at personal, social and emotional development and what this looks like when we think about children’s outcomes. You will engage in a short activity that can be replicated in teams to start building a Child-centred Curriculum for Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
- Wednesday 29th April @8am or 4pm (for half an hour)
In this session we will review the outcomes identified for children’s personal, social and emotional development and begin to think about what this looks like for a child-centred curriculum. Collectively, we will consider what the features of a Child-centred Curriculum for Personal, Social and Emotional Development looks like in practice. You will be asked to share examples from practice, while also receiving tangible take-aways to take into your own practice.
Starting with the child – creating a child-centred curriculum for communication and language
- Monday 1st June @8am or 4pm (for half an hour)
This session will focus on looking at communication and language development and what this looks like when we think about children’s outcomes. You will engage in a short activity that can be replicated in teams to start building a Child-centred Curriculum for Communication and Language.
- Thursday 9th July @8am or 4pm (for half an hour)
In this session we will review the outcomes identified for communication and language development and begin to think about what this looks like for a child-centred curriculum. Collectively, we will consider what the features of a Child-centred Curriculum for Communication and Language Development looks like in practice. You will be asked to share examples from practice, while also receiving tangible take-aways to take into your own practice.
So, you’ve got new children – reflecting on, and enhancing your curriculum
- Wednesday 23rd September @8am or 4pm (for half an hour)
This session will provide the opportunity to review the curriculum work you have been doing through the previous four sessions and give a chance to reflect on where you want to enhance your curriculum for the new academic year and any new children that have joined your provision.
If you have any questions about this network, please email eyswsph@yfps.co.uk
Find out more about Hubs, what they are and how we can help you.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development Sessions with Sarah Hercod
Approaches for Supporting Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Sarah Hercod (SENDCo) will be running a monthly online webinar looking at the 7 different approaches for supporting personal, social and emotional development using the EEF evidence store. It would be great if you were able to attend all of the sessions as they will be progressive. Please sign up to the sessions that you are able to attend.
The session titles are:
- 24/09/2025 – Teaching Awareness of Emotions and Feelings
- 22/10/2025 – Teaching & Modelling Managing Emotions & Feelings
- 26/11/2025 – Teaching & Modelling Social Communication
- 10/12/2025 – Teaching Relationship Skills
- 28/01/2026 – Teaching How to Sustain Positive Relationships
- 25/02/2026 – Promoting Self-care
- 25/03/2026 – Developing Self-Regulation and Executive Function
Come and join Sarah to learn about approaches and practices to support personal, social and emotional development in the early years.
Sarah will share some fantastic resources from the EEF evidence store.
Any questions, please contact us on: eyswsph@yfps.co.uk
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Conferences and roadshows
Play skills development morning
Join Us for an Inspiring Play Conference and Interactive Training! Building on the fantastic success of September’s Out of School Childcare Conference, we’re excited to invite you to this fully funded half-day event, supported by the Wraparound Childcare Programme in Devon County Council.
This is your chance to refresh your ideas, boost your confidence, and take your play provision to the next level. We’re delighted to welcome back two expert speakers who will dive deeper into the importance of play skills in children’s development and help us continue celebrating the joy of school-aged children’s play in Devon.
What’s in Store?
Interactive training seminar – Packed with practical tips and creative ideas to make your setting fun, inclusive, and a place children want to be.
Inclusive practice – Learn how to create environments where every child feels welcome and engaged.
Impactful play – Explore how play settings can empower children to play freely and safely, without being overly risk-averse.Keynote speakers
Ben Kingston-Hughes – discussing the impact of playwork
Dan from Play Torbay – discussing outdoor, active and risky playDate:
- Monday 30 March 2026 (9.30am to 1.15pm) – Westpoint, Exeter
We are pleased to offer this event fully funded to all Devon school age childcare settings who provide wraparound childcare, Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) and access to Early Access Breakfast Club (EABC).
please note, if you cancel with the 10 day cancellation policy or do not arrive on the day of the event, we will automatically charge a £50 late cancellation fee.
If you are a provider but outside of Devon, the conference is chargeable at £50.
Please ensure to log into your account where the appropriate cost will be shown for you.
Book your place by visiting the Devon Education Services Shop.
Early Years Foundation Stage conference 2026
Connection is the foundation for everything in the early years — learning, wellbeing, behaviour, communication and belonging. This year’s conference explores how we build and sustain meaningful connection across all the places it happens: in the adult–child relationship, through peer play, in partnership with families, and in the everyday routines and experiences that shape children’s sense of safety and identity.
Across our keynotes and workshops, delegates will return again and again to one common thread: connection isn’t a single strategy — it’s a way of being, woven through language and interaction, creativity and curiosity, storytelling and music, and the relational moments embedded in the day (including mealtimes and transitions).
Expect inspiration, reflection and practical approaches you can take straight back to your setting to strengthen relationships, create connected environments, and help every child feel seen, understood and ready to thrive.
Date
- 8 October 2026 (9:30am – 4:15pm) – Sandy Park, Exeter
Keynote speakers
- Mark Finnis who will discuss relational practice
- Alice Sharp who will discuss early engagement
Pricing
- Early Bird price – £75 (expires 23rd May 2026)
- Full price – £125
Early years and childcare providers – look out for your promotional code in an email.
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News, training and professional development from Devon Education Services
News, training and professional development from Devon Education Services – March 2026
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