DfE announces fully funded Early Years SENCO training for 2025-26
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As part of the government’s plan to break down barriers to opportunity, improving outcomes for children in early years education, the Department for Education is very pleased to announce that Best Practice Network (BPN) has been selected as the delivery partner to provide 1000 SENCO training places in financial year 2025-26.
The key aim of the programme is to increase the number of qualified SENCOs available to children in group-based settings and childminder settings, who have the knowledge and skills to properly fulfil the role of a SENCO described in the code of practice and in the role description.
Training is available across England and is open to Early Years educators currently working as, or due to start working as, a Special Educational Needs Coordinator in their setting.
Applicants from group-based private, voluntary or independent (PVI) settings must hold a full and relevant level 3 Early Years qualification. Childminder applicants must hold either a full and relevant Early Years level 3 qualification or have a level 2 Early Years qualification but have fully completed at least one level 3 Early Years training module and have significant experience of working in Early Years.
Training will commence from June 2025 and recruitment is open now. For further information, and to complete your application, please click on the button below.
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Department for Education Early Education and Childcare Provider Regional Roadshow
The Department for Education Early Education and Childcare Provider Regional Roadshows for group-based setting leaders and managers have returned for 2025.
The next roadshow is in the East of England, on 21 May in Norwich. You can now register your attendance.
This event is a great opportunity to engage with DfE to share your ideas, successes, concerns and challenges and help shape government’s current and future early education and childcare policy. You will also hear about the plan for the Best Start in Life pillar of our Opportunity Mission and the activity underway to meet the expanded childcare entitlements from September 2025. You will network with other setting leaders, Local Authorities and organisations which support the sector.
The dates for the remaining 2025 roadshows set up so far are below. You can register your interest for future regional roadshows, happening later in the year, via the register your interests form.
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Date
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Location
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Venue
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21 May
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East of England
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Norwich City Football Club
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3 June
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South-west
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DoubleTree by Hilton, Bristol City centre
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26 June
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North-east
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Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle
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8 July
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North-west
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The Midland, Manchester
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Nurturing Nutrition: Building Healthy Foundations in the Early Years
Foundation Years are providing a free event focusing on an essential aspect of early childhood development: nutrition and healthy eating. This is your chance to hear from inspiring speakers and discover fresh ideas to enhance nutrition practices in your early years setting.
📅 When? Thursday 22nd May
📍 Where? Microsoft Teams
⏰ Time? 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
What to expect:
✨ Expert speakers, including representatives from the DfE and Ofsted
✨ Gain valuable insights to improve nutrition and wellbeing outcomes for children and colleagues in the early years sector.
🎟 Spaces are limited – register now to secure your spot:
National Wraparound Childcare Programme: Information for
maintained schools and academy trusts
Childcare Works have created a new recorded series to support maintained schools and academy trusts participate in the National Wraparound Childcare Programme.
The content is split into seven sections. Sections one to four contain information to help schools determine their role within the programme. Section five is a series of guides to support setting up of provision. Section six is about ongoing monitoring of provision and section seven is for schools who would like to work with a PVI provider.
The recordings are accompanied by a checklist and can be accessed in any order. The checklist can be used to track which recordings have been accessed and signposts to additional resources mentioned during the session.
Please click on the button below to access the documents via the National Wraparound Childcare Programme webpage.
Free webinars for Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week (12th-18th May) is just around the corner and this year’s theme is ‘community’.
A strong sense of community – where children and young people feel safe, supported and valued – is key to mental wellbeing, healthy brain development and academic success.
To mark the week, Thrive is offering two free webinars designed to help early years practitioners and school staff create learning environments where children and young people feel accepted, appreciated and free to be themselves. Plus, everyone who registers will receive a free e-guide with practical strategies and activities to help create a sense of belonging.
Click the appropriate link below to register:
How to create a sense of belonging in the early years
Monday 12th May, 16.00-16.45 Every child needs to feel that they belong – to know they are safe, seen and significant. Join Thrive as they explore how to create a genuine sense of belonging in early years settings and why this is crucial for mental wellbeing and healthy brain development.
How to create a sense of belonging in schools
Thursday 15th May, 16.00-16.45 Explore how to create a genuine sense of belonging in schools. Thrive will expand on previous conversations about the importance of belonging, sharing fresh strategies underpinned by neuroscience and Thrive’s relational approach.
Can’t join live? Sign up anyway and Thrive will send you a recording of the webinar and a free e-guide.
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