DfE Professional Development Programmes
Our Evidence-Based CPD Programmes are fully funded professional development for Early Years practitioners across the Bristol and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub region. Every programme on this page is grounded in evidence on what improves outcomes for children, and all are fully funded for the participating settings.
Early Maths PDP
Six online modules and three seminars covering counting, cardinality, measurement, pattern, shape and space. For settings with 2 to 4 year olds.
Autumn 2026 cohort recruiting now
Early Language PDP
Seven online modules and seven seminars covering language development, high quality interactions and communication supportive environments. For settings with 2 to 4 year olds.
Two autumn 2026 cohorts recruiting now
PSED PDP
Five online modules and five seminars covering emotions and relationships, trauma and loss, engaging with parents, and staff wellbeing. For settings with 2 to 4 year olds.
Autumn 2026 cohort recruiting now
Early Maths Under Twos PDP
Four online modules and four seminars for practitioners working with 0 to 2 year olds. Open to Level 2 and above.
Launching summer 2027
Early Language Under Twos PDP
Four online modules and four seminars for practitioners working with 0 to 2 year olds. Open to Level 2 and above.
Launching summer 2027
Funded CPD Programmes
Maths Champions
Maths Champions is an online professional development programme developed by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) and the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). The programme is designed to improve children’s maths outcomes by giving you access to carefully developed online training, practical tools, and resources. These materials help build the knowledge, skills and confidence of practitioners in your setting.
To take part you must have 3-4 year olds attending your setting and identify 2 x Level 3 practitioners to become your setting’s Maths Champion and Deputy Maths Champion. Places are available to school-based nurseries, academy nurseries, nursery schools and PVI settings.
This is a low cost, high impact programme, and is currently funded by the DfE/EEF.
For more information, and to express your interest, scan the QR code or visit the NDNA’s website here.
If you have any more questions, email: sph@beyth.co.uk
Early Years SENCO Level 3
This is an accredited, online and fully DfE funded, NCFE Level 3 qualification for SENCOs in Early Years settings. The course runs over 6 months through the Best Practice Network. It meets the requirements of the EYFS Framework providing Early Years SENCOs with the knowledge, understanding and skills to support children and their families.
The Level 3 Early Years SENCO qualification is for:
- Level 3 educators in private, voluntary and independent settings (PVIs)
- Ofsted-registered childminders
- Childminders registered with a Childminding Agency (CMA)
For more information, and to express your interest, visit the Best Practice Network’s website here.
If you have any more questions email: sph@beyth.co.uk
Other DFE Programmes
The Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Programme began as part of the DFE Covid Recovery programme, which still includes a number of other strands:
- DFE Early Years Child Development online training
- National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership: NPQEYL
Our CPD Programmes
The Bristol & Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub has unique expertise and we have developed some of our own CPD programmes. These typically involve 3 online or face to face sessions which must be attended, allowing a deeper dive into key topics, peer collaboration and reflective practice between and after sessions.
These comprehensive programmes provide the opportunity to thoroughly explore essential areas of early years practice, such as working with babies or two-year-olds, developing a relational approach to supporting behaviour, or teaching phonological awareness to support early literacy, giving you the time and space to embed new learning into your everyday practice.
Read more and book our CPD Programmes.
