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About this training course

This training course will give you a thorough understanding of the most important aspects of child development in the early years.

The course has 10 modules. 4 modules are currently available. You must complete the available modules in order.

Each module should take between 1 and 2 hours to complete.

You can pause and restart the training as much as you like.

Each module includes:

Some modules also have short videos to enhance your understanding.

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Enrol on this course and begin the first module. You will need to sign in or create an account before starting a module.

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This module encourages you to reflect on why knowledge of child development is important. It will also help you to effectively implement the EYFS.

As an early years practitioner, understanding child development and the early years foundation stage (EYFS) will enable you to meet the needs of all the children in your care.

What you’ll learn

This module covers:

  • the importance of early childhood education and care
  • how to implement strategies to provide a positive approach in your setting
  • the importance of child development knowledge
  • the various factors that impact on children’s development
  • how you can effectively deliver the EYFS
  • the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s development

This module reinforces your understanding of how a child's brain develops. It will also help you to consider factors affecting children's brain development when planning for your setting.

The rapid changes that happen in the brain in a child’s first years lay critical foundations for later childhood and adult life. As an early years practitioner, you can play a significant role in supporting children’s brain development.

What you’ll learn

This module covers:

  • the stages of children’s brain development
  • how brain development impacts on children’s holistic development
  • the connection between brain development and children’s learning
  • a range of theories underpinning best practice

This module explores how you can best support children to learn, develop and rehearse their key personal, social and emotional skills in your everyday practice. It also considers how the development of these skills impacts on a child's overall development.

Personal, social and emotional skills play a central role in helping children to understand and regulate their emotions and behaviour. They are also vital in helping them build positive relationships and navigate the social world around them.

What you’ll learn

This module covers:

  • the stages of children’s personal, social and emotional development
  • the importance of effective relationships
  • how different factors influence children’s behaviour
  • self-regulation and its role in children’s development

This module explains how children develop speech, language and communication skills. It also explores how your role as an early years practitioner supports them to do this.

Children’s speech, language and communication skills affect the way they behave, learn, and interact with the world. As an early years practitioner, you will play a central role in helping children to learn, practise and use a wide range of language with confidence.

What you’ll learn

This module covers:

  • the stages of language development in the early years
  • potential factors that can affect language development
  • how to identify and support children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)
  • how language skills impact on learning and behaviour
  • the importance of a language rich approach where interactions are promoted

This training course has been created by early years experts.

The experts who have worked with the Department for Education on this training have significant experience in early years education.

Their experience includes:

  • working as early years practitioners
  • working as nursery managers
  • working in SEND residential environments
  • teaching early years courses in college environments
  • supporting a wide range of practitioners including childminders, apprentices and nursery staff

Their qualifications in early years practice include:

  • Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies
  • Certificate in Education (CertEd)
  • BTEC National Diploma in EY Studies

Their qualifications in early years management include:

  • CMI Level 5 Diploma Leadership and Management
  • CMI Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Management and Leadership
  • NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity
  • NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
  • Safeguarding and Prevent
  • Licence to Observe
  • D32/D33 Assessor Qualification

Their additional qualifications include:

  • Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS)
  • GNVQ Advanced Health and Social Care
  • NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges
  • NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism
  • Makaton Stage 8