Early Language Professional Development Programme
The Bristol and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub Early Language Learning Leads run the Early Language Professional Development Programme (PDP). We recruit 15 Early Years settings per cohort to take part in this fully funded programme. Within these attendance numbers, and depending on demand, we may be able to consider up to two attendees per setting.
Meet your Learning Leads
Liberty Fletcher-Gardiner leads our Early Language PDP for PVIs and schools.
Liberty Fletcher-Gardiner
Liberty Fletcher-Gardiner is an early years teacher and leader with 18 years' experience across schools and nursery settings in inner-city London and Bristol, supporting children from birth to five. She specialises in early language development, phonics, oracy and EYFS improvement, leading evidence-informed practice that strengthens provision.
Currently undertaking an MA in Early Years at CREC, she enjoys connecting research with practice. She is committed to championing inclusive, high-quality early years provision and supporting practitioners to give every child the best possible start in life.
Anna Morgan leads our Early Language PDP for childminders.
Anna Morgan
Anna Morgan is an Early Years Consultant for the Bristol Early Years Quality Improvement team and has worked with Bristol early years settings and schools for over 15 years. She leads on Communication, Language and Literacy and is dedicated to supporting high-quality learning and language development in the early years.
She leads the Bristol Early Language (BEL) Programme and is a Local Specialist Leader for Communication, Language and Literacy, helping settings embed evidence-informed practice. She also contributes to the Early Years Book Club and has worked with NALDIC to champion effective support for multilingual learners.
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Who it is for
The Early Language PDP is designed for PVIs, childminders and schools with nursery classes who have 2 to 4 year olds attending their setting. The course content is aimed at Early Years practitioners who are qualified at Level 3 and above.
What is involved
The Early Language PDP, developed by the DfE, is completed over one academic term. It includes seven online modules, completed in your own time, alongside an introduction session and seven seminars, the last of which includes action planning. Depending on the cohort, some seminars are held face to face. The course is led by our Early Language Learning Leads.
Module overview
- Unit 1: Understanding typical language development
- Unit 2: Creating communication supportive environments
- Unit 3: Achieving high quality interactions
- Unit 4: Measuring progress and identifying needs
- Unit 5: How language supports behaviour and wellbeing
- Unit 6: Building partnership with parents
- Unit 7: Embedding good communication and language in your setting
Find out more
Not sure whether the Early Language PDP is right for you? Join our free online information session to hear more about the programme and ask your questions before you express your interest.
Language PDP Info Session
Wednesday 25 November 2026, 6pm to 7pm
Online webinar, free to attend
Facilitated by our Early Language Leads, Liberty Fletcher-Gardiner and Anna Morgan, this webinar gives you the opportunity to ask questions about the programme and reflect on how it could boost Early Language Learning for your children and support your own professional development. The session is mainly aimed at childminders, but is open to all Early Years practitioners.
Spring Term 2027 cohorts
Our Early Language PDP runs two cohorts per term. Each cohort is open to settings from across our region OR is specified by Local Authority. Recruitment is now open for the two spring term cohorts below. Summer term cohorts will be announced later in the year.
Spring Term 2027: Bristol PVIs and Nursery Classes Early Language PDP Cohort
This cohort is for Bristol based Early Years settings (PVIs and schools with nursery classes).
Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 11 December 2026
Dates: as below. Dates could be subject to change.
To complete the programme you must be able to attend at least 80% of the scheduled activity.
Programme outline:
- Introduction session: Thursday 21 January 2027, 4pm to 5pm, online
- Complete Unit 1 in your own time
- Seminar 1: Thursday 28 January 2027, 4pm to 6pm, face to face (venue to be confirmed)
- Complete Unit 2 in your own time
- Seminar 2: Thursday 4 February 2027, 4pm to 5.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 3 in your own time
- Seminar 3: Thursday 11 February 2027, 4pm to 5.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 4 in your own time
- Seminar 4: Thursday 25 February 2027, 4pm to 5.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 5 in your own time
- Seminar 5: Thursday 11 March 2027, 4pm to 5.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 6 in your own time
- Seminar 6: Thursday 18 March 2027, 4pm to 5.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 7 in your own time
- Seminar 7 and action planning: Thursday 25 March 2027, 4pm to 6pm, face to face (venue to be confirmed)
Spring Term 2027: Regional Childminders Early Language PDP Cohort
This cohort is for childminders from Bristol, Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Somerset, North Somerset, and Bath and North East Somerset (BANES).
Deadline for expressions of interest: Friday 11 December 2026
Dates: as below. Dates could be subject to change.
To complete the programme you must be able to attend at least 80% of the scheduled activity.
Programme outline:
- Introduction session: Wednesday 20 January 2027, 6pm to 7pm, online
- Complete Unit 1 in your own time
- Seminar 1: Wednesday 27 January 2027, 6pm to 7.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 2 in your own time
- Seminar 2: Wednesday 3 February 2027, 6pm to 7.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 3 in your own time
- Seminar 3: Wednesday 10 February 2027, 6pm to 7.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 4 in your own time
- Seminar 4: Wednesday 24 February 2027, 6pm to 7.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 5 in your own time
- Seminar 5: Wednesday 3 March 2027, 6pm to 7.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 6 in your own time
- Seminar 6: Wednesday 10 March 2027, 6pm to 7.30pm, online
- Complete Unit 7 in your own time
- Seminar 7 and action planning: Wednesday 24 March 2027, 6pm to 8pm, online
We would love to run one face to face session for this cohort, and will plan this depending on where participants are based.
Outside our region?
If you are an Early Years setting from outside the areas covered by the cohorts above and you are interested in joining this CPD opportunity, please complete our general Expression of Interest form.
If you have any questions, please contact sph@beyth.co.uk.
