CPD opportunities

Our training service aims to support childcare settings in Leicester City with raising quality through workforce development, by offering continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities to the sectors early years practitioners.

•    Do you currently or are you soon to be providing care and education for under 2's?
•    Have you completed training that addresses the care of babies that is required as part of the EYFS?
•    How confident are you in providing a stimulating and engaging, age-appropriate environment for the under 2's?
•    Are you able to plan and deliver a meaningful quality curriculum for under 2's that is age and stage appropriate?

During the session we will be exploring what it takes to offer quality provision for our youngest children. Whether you are already working with under 2's, have moved within your existing provision to work with the younger age group, or whether you're planning to expand your provision to offer places to under 2's - this course is for you!

• Course code: CUT01
• Date/Time: Tuesday 30 September, 9.30am - 12.30pm
• Venue: New Parks House, Pindar Road, Leicester, LE3 9RN.
• Cost: There is no charge for this session.
• Maximum numbers: 2 places per setting/school
• Target audience: EYFS practitioners and leaders.
  
  
• Course code: CUT02
• Date/Time: Wednesday 15 October, 6pm - 8.30pm
• Venue: Thurnby Lodge Children and Family Centre, 79 Dudley Avenue, Leicester, LE5 2EG
• Cost: There is no charge for this session.
• Maximum numbers: 2 places per setting/school
• Target audience: EYFS practitioners and leaders.
  Booking information can be found below under the section: How to book

We are pleased to welcome Jude Simpson, Senior His Majesty's Inspector (SHMI), who will be joining us locally to share the latest Ofsted inspection updates.

This session will cover the recent consultation response and the renewed inspection framework - essential information for the private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) sector.

There will be an opportunity for providers to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the future inspection approach and the supporting materials.

• Course Code: OIU02
• Date/Time: Wednesday 1 October, 6.30pm - 8pm
• Venue: Online via MS teams
• Cost: There is no charge for this session
• Maximum number: 2 per setting
  
  
• Course Code: OIU01
• Date/Time: Thursday 2 October, 9.30am (registration) 10am - 11.30
• Venue: Voluntary Action Leicester (VAL), Newark St, Leicester, LE1 5SN
• Cost: There is no charge for this session.
• Maximum numbers: 2 places per setting

Booking information can be found below under the section: How to book

The EYFS network is an opportunity for early years leads from settings and schools to come together for updates from key services and partner organisations, professional development and to share good practice.
This term’s network will be an extended session, as we offer a professional development opportunity facilitated by the East Midlands Stronger Practice Hub. 
There will be local authority and sector updates to begin the day, following which the theme of the session will be ‘Outdoor Play’. Please book your place and further detail of the session will follow soon.

• Course code: EYN01
• Date/Time: Wednesday 8 October, 9am registration Agenda 9.30am - 2.30pm
• Venue: City Hall, Leicester City Council,115 Charles Street, Leicester, LE1 1FZ
• Cost: There is no charge for this session
• Maximum numbers: 2 per setting

Save the date - To enable schools and providers to plan ahead, below we have shared all dates for the EYFS Networks scheduled this academic year. In readiness for each event, a precise list of the topic matter will be updated, with information about the agenda, speakers and activities you can expect.
•    Spring 2026 - Tuesday 10 February,  9am registration - 12.30pm
•    Summer 2026 - Wednesday 6 May, 9am registration - 12.30pm
Booking information can be found below under the section: How to book 

Recent Ofsted trends would indicate that there is a need for increased knowledge and understanding of child development within the sector. This echoes the information stated in the Statutory Framework for the early year’s foundation stage:
“Learning and development considerations ‘Practitioners working with the youngest children are expected to ensure a strong foundation for children’s development in the three prime areas. (Statutory framework 2021- 1.11)”
A Holistic Approach to Child Development and the Prime Areas has been created to target this area of focus.
The course provides an opportunity to unpick what expected development would look like in each of the prime areas of the EYFS 2025 and explore tools and resources that will aid practitioners in their observation and assessment of children; to inform planning and to support them in seeking external support if needed for a child.

Learning intentions - Practitioners will:
•    Leave with a clear understanding of holistic development and how this supports a child’s overall ability to thrive.
•    Understand the interconnectedness of the three prime areas of learning and how this is essential for a child’s holistic development.
•    Leave with the skills to use a variety of tools to support with observations and assessments.
•    Have the opportunity to practice using the tools and apply their knowledge of child development to case studies.
•    Be able to use a holistic approach to complete a referral to external agencies.

• Course code: HA01
• Date/Time: Thursday 16 October, 9.30am – 12.30pm
• Venue: New Parks House, Pindar Road, Leicester, LE3 9RN.
• Cost: No charge      
• Maximum Numbers: 2 per setting
• Target audience: EYFS practitioners and leaders
  
  
• Course code: HA02
• Date/Time: Monday 3 November, 1.30pm - 4.30pm
• Venue: New Parks House, Pindar Road, Leicester, LE3 9RN.
• Cost: There is no charge for this session.
• Maximum numbers: 2 places per setting/school
• Target audience: EYFS practitioners and leaders.

This course will give you an opportunity to explore what a quality curriculum should include and empower settings to begin to reflect and establish a curriculum that is both high quality and that can be articulated and justified. It will also consider how the curriculum fits into the 3 III’s and the language around the EYFS that’s supports this. This deep dive into curriculum exploration will give practitioners the tools and confidence to deliver a purposeful curriculum that keeps the child at the centre. A must for those getting to grips with the EYFS.

• Course code: QC01
• Date/Time: Tuesday 18 November, 6.30pm – 8.30pm.
• Delivery method: Online via MS teams
• Cost: There is no charge for this session.
• Maximum numbers: 2 places per setting/school
• Target audience: Leaders and practitioners responsible for planning and delivery of the early year’s curriculum. 

The response from the sector following May 2025's Supporting Transition events was incredibly positive. We plan to build on what worked well and to keep momentum, the date has been agreed for us to host next years events. Be sure to save the date in your diary, to ensure you are able to join the providers and schools in your area, to share information and to support effective transitions.

•    Do you want to develop stronger working partnerships with local schools and providers?
•    Do you want the opportunity to talk to local feeder schools/providers?
•    Would you find it helpful to speak face to face about the children you have transitioning to or from your provision?

If so, join us at our cluster based supporting transitions events week commencing 18 May 2026 - dates for each cluster meeting and venues will be published closer to the event. 

As part of the National Wraparound Programme, we are offering a programme of free training opportunities to support providers in delivering high-quality, sustainable out of school care. These sessions are open to all wraparound providers and are free of charge.

Upcoming Courses
Essential Play for Out of School Settings

• Course Code: WA03
• Date/Time: Friday 3 October, 9.30am – 12.30pm 
• Venue: New Parks House, Pindar Road, Leicester, LE3 9RN
• Maximum numbers 2 places per setting/school
• Delivered by: Ben Kingston-Hughes, Inspired Children
  This interactive session explores the importance of play in out of school provision. It will cover the benefits of play, barriers to play, the positive role of the adult, and the neuroscience behind play. Practical activities and approaches will also be shared.

Booking information can be found below under the section: How to book

This course will provide guidance on food safety, managing allergies, and promoting healthy eating in wraparound settings.
Please click here to book

• Course Code: WA04
• Date/Time: Monday 3 November, 9.30am – 11am (live online)
• Delivered by: Leicestershire Nutrition and Dietetic service team

Please click here to book

This training will support providers in meeting local needs, developing inclusive and engaging approaches, making effective use of resources, and creating action plans for next steps.

• Course Code: WA05
• Date/Time: Monday 10 November, 1pm – 3pm
• Delivery method: Online via MS Teams
• Maximum numbers: 2 places per setting/school
• Delivered by: Families First / Dingley’s Promise

OR 

• Date/Time: Wednesday 12 November, 6.30pm – 8.30pm
• Delivery method: Online via MS Teams 
• Maximum numbers: 2 places per setting/school
• Delivered by: Families First / Dingley’s Promise
  
  

To book please send an email to EEDteam@leicester.gov.uk with the course title and course code in the subject bar.

Please confirm the name of the practitioner requesting a place, the setting they are from, a contact number and email address. For online courses, be sure to detail the email address for which the meeting link needs to be sent.

Each person must make a separate booking and log into the session on a separate device due to break out activities – those that have not made a separate booking will not be permitted to partake in the training.

To enable us to meet demand, we are limiting bookings to a maximum of two practitioners per setting. Should you feel that you require more, please contact the EED team and request to be added to the waiting list.

Please make clear any additional requirements e.g. hearing impairment, accessibility requirements etc. 

• Paediatric First Aid Please use the search engine within to search for Paediatric First Aid course dates and bookings
• Local Safeguarding Children Partnership Board Training 

For information about the Safeguarding Competency framework visit the Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Safeguarding Partnership Board

Early years support team (EYST)

The early years support team's SEND training programme can be found via Booking Live

Prevent Training

Providers can utilise the eLearning for staff, find out more information. 

National: Virtual training sessions

The Regional Prevent Education Co-ordinators (RPECs) offer large, virtual training sessions that are available to anyone working within an education setting in England. They focus on the implementation of Prevent and are designed primarily for those in dedicated safeguarding or Prevent roles.

Prevent in education: training for designated safeguarding leads (DSLs)
This training package has been designed by DfE for designated safeguarding leads to understand their responsibilities and the importance of the Prevent duty. Find dates and booking information. 

Leicester Nutrition and Dietetic Services for Early Years Settings

Did you know? Leicestershire nutrition and dietetic service is commissioned to support settings in Leicester City with providing adequate nutrition. Further information about the Good nutrition for under 5 award. 

Find out more about how you can meet your statutory duties around promoting oral health within the early years by exploring the accredited Healthy teeth, Happy smiles award.

Active Together - Active Tots

Active Tots works to promote the positive impact of encouraging young children to be physically active and how it may help towards leading a healthy, active lifestyle later on as an adult. Active Tots (for professionals) provides information for childcare professionals including local events/courses and healthy tots accreditation. 

Find out more by visiting Active together - Active Tots and Active together - Active Tots for professionals. 

DfE early years child development training

The Department for Education has launched a free online Early years child development training course aimed at childminders, nursery practitioners and nursery managers. The flexible online training has been developed in consultation with early years experts and provides a greater understanding of child development.

The training: 

• gives practical advice for supporting children in early years settings
• includes opportunities to reflect on your practice
• reinforces your understanding through learning check questions and tests
• allows you to pause and restart the training at any time
• offers the chance to download certificates of achievement for each module 

Eight modules of training are available now. Find out more about the training and enrol.

Funded by the Department for Education and delivered by National Children’s Bureau and the Education Endowment Foundation, Stronger Practice Hubs aim to support early years settings and childminders to address the impact of the pandemic on young children, by sharing effective practice and building lasting local networks.

Pen Green will be working in partnership with Kingswood Community Nursery (Corby), Leona Smith (childminder in Leicestershire) and Charnwood Nursery and Pre-School (Leicestershire) to form the Stronger Practice Hub for the East Midlands.

Stronger Practice Hubs will support early years settings and childminders to improve outcomes for children in their local area across the Early Years Foundation Stage, but specifically focusing on areas of development that research informs us have been most impacted by COVID-19: personal social and emotional development (PSED); communication and language, and early literacy and maths.

To learn more about the services your stronger practice hub provides, as well as the training and development opportunities available to you, visit www.pengreen.org/stronger-practice-hubs