Training for early years providers and early years qualification checks

Early years managers can use the check an early years qualification service to find out whether a qualification meets the requirements for staff-to-child ratios in England.

This free GOV.UK service lets you check a qualification by entering:

• the course start date
• the qualification level
• the awarding organisation

You'll receive a clear outcome at the end, which you can print or save for your records.

If you need to check a qualification gained outside the UK, read the guidance on early years qualifications achieved outside the UK.

This free online training is designed to build and improve your understanding of child development. It provides practical tips and ideas to use in your setting to help children aged 0 to 5 years.

Educators work through a number of interactive modules covering key areas of child development

The self-study training:

• includes written content, videos, a learning log and practical ideas to use in your setting
• allows educators to test their knowledge through learning checks and reflect on their own practice throughout the training
• is designed to be flexible so that educators can work at their own pace, saving their progress and returning to the point at which they paused at any time
• can be accessed and completed in any order
• allows educators to download a certificate on completing each module

There are 8 modules:

1. Understanding child development and the early years foundation stage
2. Brain development and how children learn
3. Supporting children’s personal, social and emotional development
4. Supporting language development in the early years
5. Supporting physical development in the early years
6. Mathematics
7. Effective curriculum and assessment
8. Supporting individual differences and needs

Visit GOV.UK to find out more about the Department for Education's early years child development training.

Early identification of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is crucial in ensuring children receive the support they need throughout their education.

This training is aligned with the early years foundation stage (EYFS) framework. It provides current and aspiring early years SENCOs with the skills and knowledge required for the role and leads to an accredited level 3 qualification.

The course comprises online taught sessions and study units. The 3-hour sessions feature live, tutor-led training and include activities such as pre-reading, group discussions and breakout-room work.

Participants can choose from weekday morning, afternoon or evening sessions, with a limited number of Saturday sessions for childminders.

The training takes 6 months to complete.

Find out more information and register your interest in joining a future cohort through the Best Practice Network.

The new national early years SEND CPD programme is being delivered over the next 3 years. It aims to help early years educators develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to provide inclusive, high-quality education for every child.

Phase 1 launched on 25 September 2026 and consists of a free online training package available to all early years practitioners.

Find out more about Early Years CPD Training from Dingley's Promise.

The Department for Education (DFE) have developed online safeguarding training in collaboration with the NSPCC. The training is free for all early years educators.

What the training covers

The online training covers sections 1 and 2 of the criteria set out in the new safeguarding training annex of the EYFS statutory framework. This is mandatory for all early years educators. It also includes a module on developing a positive safeguarding training culture.

It does not cover section 3 of the safeguarding training annex. Designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) are expected to undertake training that covers section 1, 2 and 3 of the criteria, reflecting their enhanced role and responsibilities within settings.

It is not mandatory for providers to fulfil the safeguarding training requirements using DfE’s online safeguarding training. Providers can still choose which safeguarding training they access to best suit their needs, as long as all the criteria in the new safeguarding training annex is covered.

Logging in

To log into the DFE training programme please:

• Log in to the early years safeguarding training system
• If you do not have an account, register for an account and sign up 

Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Partnership provides local safeguarding procedures, toolkits, training and guidance to help you keep your knowledge up to date.

To access training and create an account, visit the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Partnership website.

The early years stronger practice hub helps early years professionals build their knowledge, skills and confidence through training, guidance and practical resources.

The hub:

• shares evidence-based training, tools and best practice to help you support children and families
• helps settings identify and remove barriers to learning so every child has the opportunity to thrive
• supports a culture of continuous improvement through reflection, collaboration and shared learning
• provides guidance to help practitioners make informed decisions that support children's curiosity, confidence and wellbeing
• offers targeted support from early years stronger practice advisers (EYSPAs) and specialist support from early years learning leads (EYLLs) in early maths, early language, and personal, social and emotional development (PSED)

For more information, visit the Pen Green Early Years Stronger Practice Hub.

This course is for early years leaders qualified to at least level 3 with a full and relevant qualification who are, or want to be:

• managers of private, voluntary and independent nurseries
• headteachers or leaders of school-based or maintained nurseries
• childminders with leadership responsibilities
• other early years foundation stage leaders, such as reception class teachers or early years co-ordinators

For more information and contact one of the DFE approved providers please visit Early years leadership national professional qualification on GOV.UK.

If you have a degree and work in an early years setting, you can train to gain Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) at level 6.

Training combines university study, which may be delivered in person or online depending on the provider, with a placement in an early years setting. Most courses take around 1 year to complete.

The Department for Education (DfE) fully funds the graduate-entry and graduate employment-based routes. Bursaries and employer incentives may also be available.

Training covers:

• setting high expectations that inspire, motivate and support all children
• helping children make good progress and achieve positive outcomes
• understanding early learning and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• planning education and care that meets the needs of all children
• adapting teaching and care to support children's individual strengths and needs
• using assessment effectively to support learning and development
• safeguarding children and creating a safe learning environment

To find a training provider, visit the Early years initial teacher training (ITT): accredited providers on GOV.UK.