Early Years

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Practitioners working in Pre-Schools and Day Nurseries with Children aged 2-4 years.

This course is open to Early Years Practitioners working in a nursery or pre-school with children aged 2-4 years.  You will have a passion for supporting children to thrive in communication and language.  You will have the drive to take on a leadership role within your setting to lead the communication and language and share your knowledge with the staff team.  

Eligibility: This course is open to Early Years practitioners working with children aged 2-5, we will prioritise South Gloucestershire settings and childminders.

A four-session course training early years practitioners to become language champions, focusing on communication-rich practice, supporting neurodivergent and dual language learners, and using storytelling creatively. The course builds skills, inclusive strategies, and opens ongoing CPD through the local language champion network.

Eligibility: This course is open to Early Years practitioners working with children aged 2-5, we will prioritise South Gloucestershire settings and childminders.

A four-session course training early years practitioners to become language champions, focusing on communication-rich practice, supporting neurodivergent and dual language learners, and using storytelling creatively. The course builds skills, inclusive strategies, and opens ongoing CPD through the local language champion network.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire childminders only.

This session promotes inclusive communication by encouraging people to share, develop and use Makaton signs and symbols in everyday life. 

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Settings & Childminders who have had one or more practiotioners attend the South Gloucestershire Language Champion training.

The Language Champion Network provides ongoing, neuro‑affirming professional development grounded in current speech and language research and early years practice. It supports practitioners to strengthen inclusive communication approaches, celebrate neurodiversity and champion language‑rich environments across early years settings.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Settings & Childminders who have had one or more practiotioners attend the South Gloucestershire Language Champion training.

The Language Champion Network provides ongoing, neuro‑affirming professional development grounded in current speech and language research and early years practice. It supports practitioners to strengthen inclusive communication approaches, celebrate neurodiversity and champion language‑rich environments across early years settings.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Language Champion Settings only.

This in-person 1.5 hour session is for all settings who have had one or more practitioners attend the South Gloucestershire Language Champion training.  Join fellow Language Champions to explore inclusive strategies, current research, and practical approaches, enhancing outcomes across early years settings. 

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Settings & Childminders who have had one or more practiotioners attend the South Gloucestershire Language Champion training.

The Language Champion Network provides ongoing, neuro‑affirming professional development grounded in current speech and language research and early years practice. It supports practitioners to strengthen inclusive communication approaches, celebrate neurodiversity and champion language‑rich environments across early years settings.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings, Childminders, Reception and Nursery Class Teachers, SENCOs, Salt Professionals Children's Centre staff and Outreach teams.

This new introductory workshop is designed for early years professionals who want to create calm, engaging and inclusive environments where all children can thrive. Makaton Helps children connect, express themselves, and feel understood, even before they can speak. The goal is to give practitioners confidence and tools to use Makaton immediately in early years settings.  

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings, Childminders, Reception and Nursery Class Teachers in South Gloucestershire.

This course is open to anyone interested in exploring Makaton. Level 1 training is the starting point for learning Makaton. Participants must complete level 1 before progressing to further levels, you must be aged 16 or over and be a resident in the UK at the time of training.    

Eligibility: This course is open to Early Years Nursery and Preschool practitioners, Childminders, Reception Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Primary School Staff.

Inspiring Childhoods: Building Strong Foundations in Language, Play and Early Maths

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings and Schools.

Makaton Sign and Share promotes inclusive communication by encouraging people to share, develop and use Makaton signs and symbols in everyday life.  Makaton is a communication programme that combines signs, symbols and speech to support communication. 

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings, Childminders, Reception and Nursery Class Teachers in South Gloucestershire. 

This course is open to Early Years settings across South Gloucestershire including childminders, nurseries, pre-schools and school-based nurseries 

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Childminders.

Together we will explore the unique advantages, challenges, and key strengths of outdoor play within your childminding setting.  You will have the opportunity to engage with a range of meaningful experiences.  Our aim is to support you in enriching your outdoor spaces.  

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings and Schools.

Together, we will explore the unique advantages, challenges and key strengths of outdoor play within your setting. You'll have the opportunity to engage with a range of meaningful experiences. our aim is to support you in enriching your outdoor spaces .

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Apprentices only. 

This Network is open to all apprentices working within an Early Years Setting in South Gloucestershire.  

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings and schools.

South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings and Schools are invited to a hands-on workshop focused on risk and play outdoors. Discover how nature-based experiences support children's growth, problem-solving,  and confidence. The session will provide practical approaches to managing risk while encouraging creativity and exploration in stimulating outdoor environments.  

Eligibility: This course is open to practitioners and childminders working with babies, including those who are new to the role, returning, or looking to refresh their knowledge and practice

This course is designed for practitioners and childminders who are new to working with children aged 0–2, returning to the role, or looking for a refresher. It will cover the fundamental aspects of babies’ care, learning, and safeguarding needs.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Childminders.

This 1.5 hour session is an opportunity for Childminders in South Gloucestershire to share practice and engage in discussion around what is happening nationally and locally within clusters 1 and 2.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings.

This 1.5 hour session is an opportunity for South Gloucestershire early years settings in cluster 1 to share practice and engage in discussion around what is happening nationally and locally within the cluster area.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings.

This in-person 1.5 hour session is an opportunity for Early Years Settings to share practice and engage in discussion around what is happening nationally and locally within cluster 2.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Childminders and Early Years Settings.

This 1.5 hour session is an opportunity for Childminders and early years settings to share practice and engage in discussion around what is happening nationally and locally within cluster 3.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Childminders.

This 1.5 hour session provides an opportunity for South Gloucestershire Childminders to share practice and engage in discussion around what is happening nationally and locally within cluster 3.  

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings.

This 1.5 hour session is an opportunity for South Gloucestershire Pre-School and Day Nursery Practitioners to share practice and engage in discussions around what is happening nationally, and locally within cluster 3. 

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Childminders.

This 1.5 hour session is open to South Gloucestershire Childminders in clusters 4.5 and 6 to all come together together to share practice and engage in what is happening nationally and locally within the cluster areas.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings.

This 1.5 hour session is open to South Gloucestershire Pre-Schools and Nurseries in cluster 4.5 to come together to share practice and engage in what is happening nationally and locally within the cluster area.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Pre-School Committee Members and Managers

This session will teach you how to confidently run a compliant AGM. We will provide you with everything you need to know before, during and after the day, packed with practical tips and ready-to-use templates.

Eligibility: This course is open to anyone who would like to develop, set up and deliver Forest School Programmes and become a qualified Forest School Leader.

This course will allow you to explore and enrich your knowledge, developing a stronger understanding of the Forest School approach by engaging with its core principles, philosophy, and ethos, promoting personal growth through outdoor learning and child-centred educational practices.  

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings and Childminders.

This one-hour, virtual session will help you to explore the new nutritional guidelines for early years settings, supporting families to make more nutritious lunchboxes, snacks and drinks in settings, and creating a food policy.  

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings and Childminders.

From 10 November 2025, Ofsted will be using a revised Early Years inspection framework, featuring a new report card, a five-point grading scale, and expanded evaluation areas.  This one hour virtual briefing provides an essential overview of the changes and their implications for practice.  Delivered by Ofsted representatives, the sessions offer practitioners the opportunity to explore the updates, ask questions and prepare confidently for future inspections.

Eligibility: This Network is open to South Gloucestershire pre-school committee members and setting managers

This network provides an informal space where pre-school committee officers connect, share ideas, tackle common challenges, learn from lived experience, and build confidence in leadership, governance, and effective succession planning.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years leaders, managers and pre-school committee members.

This course will guide you through confident, safer recruitment and inspiring inductions – covering every stage from deciding to recruit to helping new starters thrive from day one.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Schools Reception Class Practitioners.

These in-person two hour sessions are open to all practitioners working in Reception classes and those responsible for assessment in schools.  These sessions will explore EYFSP data requirements and will enable delegates to explore and agree assessment information for children at the end of their Reception year.

Eligibility: This course is open to all South Gloucestershire Early Years Childminders, Nursery and Preschool practitioners. 

This session provides Safeguarding leads in Early Years settings with essential updates, discussions on recent guidance and practice reviews, and opportunities to share best practices for ongoing professional development. 

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Childminders.

This six session course is open to childminders working with early years children in South Gloucestershire.  This course equips childminders with essential knowledge and practical strategies to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).  It covers inclusive practices, early identification, working with families, and accessing support services.

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Early Years Settings and Reception practitioners 

FREE certified training for practitioners to support Early Years children on the Autistic spectrum and / or with social communication differences.   

Eligibility: This course is open to all Early Years practitioners in South Gloucestershire. 

Starting reception is an important milestone in a child's development. These sessions are designed to support practitioners in assisting children to develop essential self-care skills to support a confident and successful transition into school. 

Eligibility: This course is open to South Gloucestershire Primary School Staff only 

This funded training session is for any Primary Schools who want to implement a Five to Thrive Approach, offering insights into brain development and attachment in children. Attendees will be Five to Thrive trained so they can go back and implement with their staff teams, children and families.   

Eligibility: This course is open to early years educators, including childminders, who work with children 0-2 years old

This webinar is aimed at early years educators, incuding childminders.  It explores the importance of quality interactions and serve-and-return communication in supporting babies' brain development, attachment, language and emotional wellbeing.  The session encourages reflective practice and considers how sensitive, responsive interactions help babies feel safe,connected, valued and ready to learn.  

Eligibility: This course is open to early years educators, including childminders, who work with children aged 0-2 years old.

This webinar is aimed at early years educators, including childminders. It explores the importance of working in partnership with families to better understand babies’ lives, experiences, identities, and development. The session encourages reflective, strengths-based practice that values the knowledge, routines and experiences families bring into early years settings.
 

Eligibility:  This course is open to early years educators, including childminders, who work with children aged 0-2 years old

This webinar is aimed at early years educators, including childminders. It explores how babies experience and respond to the sensory world around them, and how sensory needs can influence behaviour, wellbeing, regulation, and learning. The session encourages reflective practice and considers how environments and interactions can better support babies’ individual sensory experiences.