Early Years Training Calendar & Briefing

• Free e-learning modules to support work to safeguard children - OSCP Website
• Introduction to Prevent - eLearning package from HM Government
• Prevent Referrals - course from the Home Office
• Radicalisation/Channel General Awareness - online course from the Open University
• Understanding Animal Welfare in Violent Homes - online course from the Virtual College
• FGM Training from the Home Office
• FGM Resource Pack from the Home Office
• Learn to Save a Life - Shining a Light on Suicide

This free online training provides an overview of child development and offers practical advice for supporting children in your setting, including reception years.

This training is for practitioners working with children in any type of early years setting, including:

• childminders
• nursery practitioners
• reception teachers and teaching assistants

The training is for anyone who is new to early years and looking to build their child development knowledge. However, it is also useful for anyone looking to refresh their knowledge.

The training is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework used in England. However, you may still find the content beneficial if you live outside England and are welcome to undertake the training if you wish.

GM Reflect e-learning

Open access, free-to-use eLearning modules designed to strengthen levels of confidence across a range of workforce competencies.

Aligned to the GM REFLECT competencies, these modules have been co-designed with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and Early Years professionals from across Greater Manchester. They are aimed at the GM Early Years workforce, working in multi-agency roles and with differing qualifications and experience to strengthen their levels of confidence across a range of competencies

The first 5 topics to be launched are: 

• Firm Foundations
• Engaging with Families
• Physical Development
• Pre-Birth and the Early Days
• Social, Emotional Development and Wellbeing

Please note to access this course you need to create an account by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right corner and then ‘create account’

An introduction into child development, this module gives an overview of the key elements that need to be considered when working with families and children under 5. Aimed at everyone that comes into contact with early years families,  including those who are not specifically Early Years staff but who work with or come into contact with Early Years children and families on a regular basis.

Deepen your professional understanding of physical development and develop the skills and confidence to offer effective support in your role.

Understand the critical nature of the first 1001 days for brain and overall development and learn how babies grow and develop during pregnancy and early life.

Develop knowledge and skills to support children's social and emotional development and wellbeing. Learn practical strategies to promote wellbeing and create nurturing environments that help children thrive.

SIDS and safer sleep training for early years professionals

Potty training: how to start & best age to potty train

Learning how to use the potty independently and stopping wearing nappies is a big milestone for your child. There are lots of new and exciting skills for them to learn with your help.

To make this process easier for you both, follow our evidence-based 3 step Let's Go Potty approach.

It begins with preparation to use the potty, next is practising potty skills before eventually stopping using nappies as your child gains confidence. ERIC’s Lets Go Potty method originated from collaboration with Paediatric Research Nurse Rebecca Mottram in 2021. We are grateful to Rebecca for sharing her research and expertise which informed this work.

This CPD session will cover the range of developmentally appropriate and harmful sexualised behaviours that professionals may recognise when working with children. Using resources such as the Hackett Continuum of Sexual Behaviours, we will discuss children's presenting behaviours, and the level of intervention that must be provided to ensure that children and their peers are appropriately safeguarded.

Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews repeatedly identify poor record keeping as a failing amongst safeguarding partners. In this session we will discuss what effective safeguarding and child protection records must look like to ensure that appropriate action is taken to protect children. From "pennies in the bank" to impact chronologies, we will discuss the role that every colleague plays in ensuring record keeping is effective, and the positive outcomes this can have on children's safety and wellbeing.

The Child Protection Process can be overwhelming for practitioners and it's important that everyone who works with children understands the statutory processes that are in place. This session will cover the statutory assessments that are undertaken for children under Section 17 and Section 47 and will build knowledge and confidence in staff who are not only required to contribute to these processes, but on occasion may need to professionally challenge or escalate issues amongst multi-agency partners.

SEND Children are 3.7 times more likely to be a victim of abuse, exploitation or neglect in comparison to their peers. As practitioners it is imperative that we are fully aware of the vulnerabilities of this cohort, and that colleagues understand their role in advocating for these children. This session will help us to understand why these children are particularly vulnerable - reflecting on our own expertise and organisational practice, colleagues will develop skills on how to best support and safeguard our SEND children.

The Prevent Duty outlines the need for all organisations to be vigilant to children and young people who may be susceptible to being radicalised. This session will outline the current risks in the UK with regards to terrorism and extremism and will help colleagues to identify children and young people who may be being drawn into this. We will also discuss the process for reporting concerns to Channel and the role we play in educating children and young people about inclusion, respect, tolerance and diversity.

Statistics suggest that over half of children in the UK have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience. This briefing will cover what ACEs are, the impact that they can have on the health and development of children, and the support that practitioners can put in place to reduce the long-term impact of ACEs, through building resilience and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children.

Physical punishment against children still remains an issue in the UK, with more than one in five 10-year-olds having experienced this in their life. This briefing will cover the laws in the UK around physical punishment, and the important role that adults play in recognising issues, reporting concerns and in providing education and support to parents where it is required.

Adults working with children must be aware of the current harms that children may be exposed to. Child Criminal Exploitation is an issue across the UK, with children from all demographics being targeted by organised crime groups to traffic or conceal drugs, weapons or money. This briefing will explore the rising issue of CCE, how this presents for children in your community or organisation, and the action professionals must take if they know or suspect a child is being exploited.