Early Years Foundation Courses

This course provides early years practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of autism, including its diverse manifestations across the spectrum. The course will lend insights into the varying characteristics of autism and help you to gain practical knowledge to support children with different needs in daycare settings. The course will emphasise effective communication strategies, creating inclusive environments, and collaborating with families and professionals. By the end of the course, practitioners will be better equipped to recognise and respond to the unique requirements and challenges of children on the autism spectrum, fostering their development and well-being.

This course will introduce the importance of sharing songs and rhymes with children and will explore how these can support children language and communication development. The course will explore different types and genres of rhymes and songs, and provide guidance and instruction on how they can be used in the early years setting across different age ranges. The course will also model best practice and provide plenty of examples you can draw from for your own early years practice. The course will also show how rhymes and and songs can be used to develop mathematical concepts

This course equips early years practitioners with the knowledge and skills to effectively respond to stressful situations. It covers understanding and explaining key terms like 'Burnout' and 'Stress', their relevance to the early years sector, and identifying signs of stress and burnout in oneself and others. The course also delves into the impact of stress and burnout on practitioners, teams, and children, and provides strategies to reduce stress, avoid burnout, and respond to potentially stressful situations effectively

This course provides early years practitioners with the knowledge and skills to effectively engage and collaborate with parents. It emphasises the importance of building trust, communicating effectively, and involving parents in their child's learning and development. Practitioners will learn to identify and address shared problems with parents, discuss difficult issues respectfully, and find and evaluate solutions collaboratively. The course content is designed to strengthen relationships with families, promote positive parent-child interactions, and enhance children's social, emotional, and language development.

This course provides an introduction to the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale, third edition (ITERS-3). It is designed to help early childhood professionals understand and use the ITERS-3 tool to assess the quality of care provided to infants and toddlers. Through this course, participants will gain knowledge and skills to observe and evaluate the environment, interactions, and experiences provided to young children in group care settings. By the end of the course, participants will be able to identify areas for improvement and make changes that will benefit the children in their care

This course provides an understanding of Attachment Theory and its practical implications for early years practitioners. It covers the basic concepts of Attachment Theory, the significance of a 'Secure Base' in fostering children's trust and security, identification of attachment challenges in children, the work of Mary Ainsworth. It also explores the impact of non-heteronormative families on attachment. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to apply this knowledge in their daycare settings to support the healthy emotional development of the children under their care

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to understanding and addressing abuse and neglect in the context of early childhood. It equips learners with the knowledge and skills to identify, differentiate, and respond to the various types of abuse. By recognising signs and indicators of possible abuse or neglect, learners will be better prepared to ensure the well-being of the children in their care. Additionally, the course covers the important aspects of 'disclosure,' along with reporting and referral protocols, enabling professionals to take appropriate action when faced with suspected cases of abuse or neglect

This course is designed to equip early years practitioners with an understanding of various educational approaches. It covers the historical contexts and conditions that led to the development of different approaches, enabling learners to describe and differentiate between them. The course explores The Structured Approach, Humanistic, Anthrosophic, Montessori, Reggio and RIE approach to early years care and education. It also provides additional resources for further exploration. By the end of the course, participants will be well-prepared to integrate diverse educational approaches into their early years provision, fostering a rich and informed learning environment

Developmental Psychology is a crucial field for understanding early years care and education. This course aims to foster an appreciation for the significance of developmental psychology in this context. It introduces key developmental psychologists such as Freud, Vygotsky, Piaget, Erikson, Ainsworth, Bronfenbrenner, Kohlberg, and Fischer, along with their major theories and ideas. By the end of the course, participants are expected to understand how these theories and ideas relate to early years practice and influence their work. The course will cover topics such as early childhood development, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes, and the application of developmental psychology to early childhood education

This course will explore the crucial role that sensorimotor development plays in shaping the cognitive, social, and emotional growth of children. Sensorimotor development refers to the way that infants and young children learn about the world through their senses and physical actions. Through this course, you will gain an understanding of the key milestones of sensorimotor development, how these milestones are related to later development, and how you can support healthy sensorimotor development in the children in your care. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the early stages of child development.

This course explores the fundamental principles of art within early years practice, with a focus on the language of art as a medium for personal expression and communication in young children. You will examine how exposure to arts-based materials supports development in emotional, social, and sensorimotor aspects. The course covers various approaches to art with children, providing a range of activities and ideas to promote Arts Education and Input. It underscores the crucial role of early years practitioners in supporting arts in young children, with an emphasis on prioritising the creative process over the end product and recognising and achieving good practice in Arts Education.

This course provides an introduction and basic level of understanding of the complex issues surrounding special needs. The course explores the landscape, including the definitions and distinctions between 'special needs,' 'special educational needs,' and 'disability.' It covers the identification of concerns related to special needs and offers insights into supporting children who require additional assistance, creating a supportive environment.

This short course provides an introduction to Ethics in the context of effective and reflective early years practice. The aim of the course is to help practitioners understand that their behaviour and decision making processes must be undertaken within the context and framework of professional standards. The over-riding principle with considering ethical practice in early years is about putting the needs and welfare of the child first.