Inclusion and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) training

EAL Training and Network

Introduction to English as an Additional Language (EAL) in Early Years

This course offers early years and childcare practitioners the opportunity to reflect upon the needs of bi-lingual children in early years settings and increase confidence in this area.

The course aims to increase the awareness of good practice for children with EAL. There is an opportunity for wide-ranging discussion, covering issues such as:

• Integrating new arrivals into your setting
• Developing the language of children with EAL
• Awareness of cultural differences
• The procedure for use of interpreters and translation services

Training provider: Robert Coyle, EAL/EDC Adviser

Target audience: Childminders, early years group settings, school nurseries and reception classes

Cost: £ Fully funded

Click here to book, using the above code

Early Years EAL Network

This online network session for early years practitioners working with children with EAL will provide a useful forum to gain updates on EAL pedagogy, policy, funding, opportunities and resources, and share expertise and experience in the field of Early Years EAL.

Delegates will:

• Work with other professionals to discuss and share good practice in EAL provision.
• Receive updates on policy, research, initiatives and opportunities for children with EAL, and their families.
• Develop further strategies for language development, EAL interventions and raising cultural awareness in the setting.

Training provider: Robert Coyle, EAL/EDC Adviser

Target audience: Childminders, early years group settings, school nurseries and reception classes

Cost: £ Fully funded                                         

Click here to book, using the above code

EAL Assessment in the Early Years

This course will explore assessment activities and tools for children with EAL. We will explore how children develop language and look at how the Early Learning Goals can be assessed for children with EAL. We will also examine the NASSEA Assessment Framework. The NASSEA resource will help practitioners establish how far along the continuum of developing English the child has progressed and what the next steps may be to support the child moving forward. We will examine some case studies using the NASSEA Framework. These case studies and a copy of the framework will be sent to you in advance.

This course will:

• Examine some of the pedagogy relating to learning EAL.
• Familiarise practitioners with the NASSEA Assessment Tool and how to assess individual children using case studies.
• Discuss strategies for assessing Early Learning Goals in children with EAL.
• Consider strategies to support language development based on assessment outcomes.

Training provider: Robert Coyle, EAL/EDC Adviser

Target audience: Childminders, Early years group settings, School nurseries and Reception classes

Cost: £ Fully funded                       

Click here to book, using the above code

Developing Language through Play for Children with EAL

This course will examine the vital role of play in developing the language of children with EAL. We will look at how to maximise language development opportunities through role play and small world play. We will also look at the opportunities that stories give for language rich play and guided activities.

This course aims to be a practical session full of shared ideas and resources and time will be given for delegates to share and discuss their own ideas.

Delegates will:

• Examine some of the pedagogy of language development in children with EAL.
• Consider the role of play in language development and how to maximise these opportunities.
• Develop strategies for developing language through activities related to stories and books.

Training provider: Robert Coyle, EAL/EDC Adviser

Target audience: Childminders, early years group settings, school nurseries and reception classes

Cost: £ Fully funded

Click here to book, using the above codes

Level 2 SEND Award

Supporting babies and young children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in early years.

This course will give an overview of SEND for early years practitioners and childminding assistants. It comprises of three full days, each combining taught and self-study elements. Delegates must be present for all three days.

The course is designed to give delegates an understanding of how to support the assessment, planning, implementation and reviewing of support plans in line with the graduated approach.

Day one will cover the statutory guidance relating to SEND in the EYFS and give delegates a deeper understanding of how children learn and develop.

Day two considers the importance of attachment and transitions. Delegates will learn about best practice for meeting the needs of individual children, including the role of the key person, child's voice and parent/carer engagement.

Day three looks at child development in detail and the role of the practitioner in engaging with other professionals.

Assignments need to be completed outside of the course hours; approx. 2-3 hours of study time following each session.

You must bring a laptop to each session - tablets or phones are not suitable.

Refreshments will be provided, please take your own lunch.

This course is not suitable for SENCOs in group settings, childminders or anyone who has previously undertaken the 3 day SENCO course. SENCOs and Childminders should enrol on the Level 3 SENCO Award.

It is strongly recommended that you also book onto 'Writing Support Plans' training.

Training provider: Early Years Learning and Childcare

Target audience: Childminding assistants, early years group setting practitioners

Cost: £40 per person - payment will be requested at point of application

Click here to book, using the above code

Level 3 Early Years SENCO Award

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in Early Years

This programme is for SENCOs wanting to gain a qualification and recognition for their role as an Early Years SENCO. This award will evidence the settings' commitment to supporting children with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It will provide the SENCO with the skills to lead and coordinate SEND within their setting.

The Early Years SENCO Award has been proven to inspire SENCOs from across the PVI sector. This course offers early years practitioners both theoretical and practical support in their role as coordinator of SEND.

It will cover:

• The role of the SENCO
• SEND Code of Practice
• Working with parents and professionals
• Networking opportunities with other settings and professionals
• Historical context of SEND and education.

The course programme consists of a 1 hour online induction session, 9 x full day sessions (in-person), a setting exchange visit and a complex needs school visit.

The venue for the full day sessions is The Nest, Holt Road, Norwich, NR10 3AQ. Refreshments will be provided; please take your own lunch.

Complex needs school visit - date TBD

Entry Requirements:

• You must be currently working in an early years setting - group setting or childminder.
• You must hold a full and relevant Level 3 in early years/childcare.
• You must have the full support of your manager, where applicable, to complete all scheduled sessions (contracts will be issued to cover this).
• Be confident you will have the time to complete all assignments, meeting set deadlines.

Training provider: Early Years Learning and Childcare

Target audience: Childminders, early years group setting SENCOs

Cost: £150 per person - payment will be requested at point of application

Click here to book, using the above code

SENCO Networks

The SENCO Networks aim to cover local and national updates and also provide an opportunity to share what is going well, along with best practice.

To make it manageable, we would ask that prior to the session, you send in your inclusion and SEND questions or thoughts beforehand. We will then collate these and provide responses during the event.

We would also like you to send in what has worked well for you in terms of supporting vulnerable children both whilst at home and/or within your provision as well as your ideas for support.

Time permitting, we hope to enable some further feedback at the end of the session.

If you are successful in being allocated a place you will be emailed a confirmation letter, at which point you may then submit any questions and/or share 'what went well' by emailing [email protected]

Training provider: Early Years Learning and Childcare

Target audience: Childminders, early years group setting SENCOs, leaders and managers

Cost: £ Fully funded

Click here to book, using the above codes

Signalong Introduction and Signalong Play Days Workshop

Introduction to Signalong

This 3.5 hour workshop, delivered by Signalong - The Communication Charity, is for learners who are new to sign supported communication. The training is supportive and interactive and will cover the philosophy and methodology of Signalong, with delegates learning about a total communication approach, keyword signing, the signing window, placement of signs, how to form basic handshapes and how to perform up to 100 keyword signs from the Signalong vocabulary.

Keyword signs will be demonstrated by the Tutor and opportunities will be provided for learners to practice using the sign vocabulary, covered during the session, through a range of interactive activities in pairs or small groups, such as using real objects, photo cards and/or sentence cards. Delegates must feel confident to attempt keyword signs in front of other learners.

Following completion of the training, delegates will be given access to a digital Signalong handbook, showing 100 key signs, for use as a supportive tool within their settings.

Places are limited due to the interactive nature of the training and the tutor needing to continuously assess learners' understanding and ability to sign.

Training provider: Signalong - The Communication Charity

Target audience: All early years practitioners

Cost: £ Fully funded

Click here to book, using the above codes

Signalong Play Days Workshop

This new workshop combines the previously separate workshops 'Signs for Play' and 'Signs for the Days and Seasons'. This interactive training is delivered by Signalong - The Communication Charity and will include signs specific to:

• The home corner
• Sand and water play
• On the farm
• Playing at the park
• Transport and vehicles
• Placements e.g. up, down, here, behind etc.
• Days of the week
• Weather
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Delegates must feel confident signing in front of the tutor and other learners. Following completion of the training, delegates will be given access to six digital Signalong posters, showing the key signs learned on the workshop, for use as a supportive tool within their settings.

It is highly recommended that delegates have completed an Introduction to Signalong workshop prior to attending this training. However, there will be a refresh of the Signalong philosophy and methodology at the start for those new to Signalong or as a reminder for those with experience.

Places are limited due to the interactive nature of the training and the tutor needing to continuously assess learners' understanding and ability to sign.

Training provider: Signalong - The Communication Charity

Target audience: All early years practitioners

Cost: £ Fully funded

Click here to book, using the above code

Writing Support Plans for Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities

*Please note this training is on hold pending the publication of the Early Years SEND Reforms 2026*

SEN Code of Practice published July 2014:

All settings should adopt a graduated approach with 4 stages of action: assess, plan, do and review. Where it is decided to provide SEN support, the practitioner and the SENCO should agree, in consultation with the parent:

• The outcomes they are seeking.
• The interventions and support to be put in place.
• The expected impact on progress, development or behaviour.

This training aims to:

• Explore the role of the practitioner within the process of writing and recording interventions, targets and outcomes.
• Develop the skill of writing effective targets by using some real practice examples and practical learning materials.
• Consider some appropriate teaching methods and strategies that can be provided during the graduated approach.
• Explore how and when to modify and review targets in accordance with the child's individual development.
• Consider how to enhance the contribution of parents and children.

Writing Support Plans training is covered within the Level 3 SENCO Award and the previously offered Setting SENCO 3 day course. If you have completed those training courses you do not need to do this course separately.

Refreshments will be provided, please take your own lunch.

Training provider: Chris Elsby, Independent Trainer

Target audience: All early years practitioners

Cost: £ Fully funded

Click here to book, using the above code