Stakeholder Training and Events
New Training Offers Designed to Support Quality Teaching in Early Years Settings
Early Years Child Development Training This free, online training is suitable for practitioners working with children in any type of early years setting, including childminders, early years practitioners, reception teachers, and teaching assistants. The training is for anyone who is new to early years and is looking to build their child development knowledge. It is also useful for anyone looking to refresh their knowledge. Participants can start and pause the training at any point, so you can complete each module at your own pace. There is no time limit for completing the training. The completion time for each module is approximately 2 hours. Modules are fully online and self-directed. Click here to find out more and register
Excellence in Reception Teaching Suitable for teachers who currently, or are shortly expecting to, teach the reception year group and who want to build on their existing reception-specific pedagogy but are not looking for CPD at a leadership level. Courses are funded by the Department for Education for participants in suitable state-funded settings. To note: early years educators in private, voluntary or independent EY settings and childminders are not eligible for DfE scholarship funding for this course, as the target audience is reception year teaching in schools. Providers can offer the course to those working outside of eligible settings, but individuals or settings would need to self-fund these places. If participants are unsure, they can contact a provider directly, or DfE can confirm if they are eligible for funding when they register. The course runs for approximately two school terms, with two cohorts per academic year in autumn and spring and takes a minimum of 20 hours to complete with a mixture of flexible self-study and live, facilitated sessions (which may be accessed online). Click here to find out more and register
NPQ in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) Suitable for current or aspiring leaders in the early years sector, qualified to at least Level 3 (or equivalent) with a full and relevant qualification who are:
The NPQEYL is funded by the Department for Education for participants in publicly funded early years settings and maintained nursery schools. Check eligibility here . It involves an average of 1-2 hours study per week, taking a minimum of 20 hours to complete the course with a mixture of flexible self-study and live, facilitated sessions (which may be accessed online). |
RISE Reception Quality Webinar Series: Autumn 2026 Registration Details
The Department for Education is hosting a new autumn term webinar series, shaped by sector feedback, covering:
Find out more and register through: RISE Reception Webinars Autumn 2026 |
THE NELI PROGRAMME
The NELI Programme provides schools with a way of identifying early language difficulties and helps those with the weakest language skills catch up with their peers. Developed out of decades of research into children’s early language development, NELI focuses on strengthening children’s vocabulary, listening and storytelling skills.
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FREE RESOURCES RELATING TO PRIMARY READING ENGAGEMENT
The Power of Community This resource includes ideas and tips for engaging with different community organisations including libraries, bookshops, sports clubs and more. Every school and community is different, so the ideas in this resource are intended to inspire rather than provide “off the peg” solutions. They invite teachers and leaders to look at their local community with fresh eyes or to consider existing links and connections in order to find ways to deepen or refresh these. Click here for the power of community resource
Parental Engagement This resource aims to support schools as they reflect upon and reimagine their current approaches to parental engagement, taken to include engagement with caregivers and the wider family. It is rooted in the knowledge that all schools and communities are different and that there is no one size fits all solution. Instead, schools are invited to consider their own children and families, seeking to understand both the barriers and challenges which may exist, as well as the strengths and assets which parents, carers and families can bring. This allows schools to find solutions which will work for their settings, children and community. Click here for the parental engagement resource
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Remembrance Assembly Free Online Event 11th November 10:25am to 11:05am The National Literacy Trust is inviting young people aged 9 to 14 to be part of the Remembrance community this year by watching their special assembly programme on 11 November. Participants will be guided by amazing host, TV and radio presenter Shanequa Paris, along with representatives from the Armed Forces, veterans and those currently serving, using their unique voices to share their own perspectives on Remembrance and to explore how we all belong in the Remembrance community.
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Recommended for children aged 5 to 12 |
Connecting reading communities: school libraries, public libraries and beyond Free Online Event 2nd December 3:45pm to 5:15pm As part of the National Literacy Trust's National Year of Reading 2026 free professional development offer for primary schools, this webinar explores what's possible when libraries, schools and the wider community join forces to put reading at the heart of young people's lives.
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The National Year of Reading Schools and Settings Celebration and Legacy Webinar Free Online Event 14th January 2027 3:45pm to 5:15pm This celebratory event will be a moment to reflect on everything you’ve achieved in your classroom, across your setting and within your community.
What to expect
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Mysteries, Murders, Muddles and Mayhem! Free Online Event 1st February 2027 10:30am to 11:30am This event is recommended for ages 7-11
Expect crime capers, plot twists and draw-along fun in this live workshop with bestselling author Alex T. Smith who will explore how he weaves comedy and detective fiction together in his writing.
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Global Stories with Michael Rosen and Friends Free Online Event 1st March 2027 11am to 12pm This event is recommended for ages 7-11
Celebrate World Book Day with one of the nation’s best‑loved storytellers. Michael Rosen returns to the Library for this livestreamed event for primary schools.
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