Sheffield City Council Early Years CPD Programme

As part of our commitment to delivering the ambitions of Best Start in Life Sheffield Early Years Strategy, we invite you to join us for our termly Early Years Provider Briefing and locality Network Sessions.

These face-to-face events provide a valuable opportunity for providers to stay informed about local and national developments, engage in professional dialogue, share effective practice and strengthen collaborative partnerships across the early years sector. Together, we can continue to build on Sheffield's strong foundations and work collectively to improve outcomes for children and families.

The morning session will focus on city-wide updates from Sheffield City Council and Local Authority leads, covering strategic priorities, policy developments, current initiatives and key issues affecting the early years sector.

Following a light lunch and refreshments, the afternoon session will provide opportunities for locality-based discussion and networking, bringing together providers, partners and stakeholders to explore local priorities, share experiences, identify solutions to common challenges and strengthen connections within their area.

Designed to be informative, engaging and collaborative, these sessions offer ample opportunity for discussion, questions and the exchange of ideas. We also welcome suggestions from the sector to help shape future content, ensuring that sessions remain relevant, responsive and supportive of the needs of Sheffield's early years community.

We look forward to working together to support high-quality, inclusive and sustainable early years provision, giving every child the best possible start in life.

Audience: Sheffield Early Years group providers

Date/s and time, location:

Location: The Hope Centre, Bernard Road, Sheffield S2 5BQ.

Cost: Free for Sheffield Early Years Group Providers

Training Team: Local Authority strategic leads and early years partners

Stay informed, connected and inspired through our School Early Years Leaders Termly Briefings. These sessions are designed to support schools in delivering the ambitious vision set out in the Best Start in Life Sheffield Early Years Strategy, ensuring that every child benefits from high-quality, inclusive early education and experiences the very best start in life.

More than just an update, these briefings provide a valuable opportunity to hear the latest local and national developments, explore emerging priorities, and engage in professional dialogue with colleagues across the city. Through a combination of strategic updates, practical insights and guest speaker contributions, participants will strengthen their knowledge, enhance practice and contribute to Sheffield's collective commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.

Each briefing will feature contributions from Local Authority teams and invited national speakers, offering a range of perspectives and expertise. Regular agenda items will include:

• SEND Spotlight delivered by the 0–5 SEND Team
• Safeguarding Update to support safe and effective practice
• Ofsted and Department for Education Updates
• Transition Conversations focused on supporting children at key points in their learning journey
• Guest Speakers sharing research, innovation and effective practice from across the sector

These sessions also provide a platform for collaboration and influence. We actively encourage participants to shape the agenda through feedback and suggestions, helping to ensure that each briefing reflects the current priorities, challenges and interests of Sheffield's early years community.

Join us to connect with colleagues, gain valuable insights, and be part of the shared journey towards delivering the Best Start in Life for every child in Sheffield.

In response to feedback from colleagues, we have planned two briefings per term to ensure maximum attendance from schools. The planned content will be repeated for each session, but who knows where the conversations will take us!!

Audience: Sheffield School EYFS Leads, early years teachers and practitioners, teaching assistants, senior leaders

Date/s and time, location:

Location: Online via Teams

Cost: Free for Sheffield Schools to attend

Training Team: Early Years Quality and Access Team

Join us for our termly Early Years SENCo Briefing and Network, led by Sheffield's 0–5 SEND Team, a dedicated opportunity to connect, collaborate and stay informed about the latest developments in early years SEND. Aligned with the ambitions of the Best Start in Life Sheffield Early Years Strategy, these sessions are designed to strengthen inclusive practice, build professional confidence, and support better outcomes for children with SEND and their families.

More than just a briefing, this is a valuable opportunity to become part of a city-wide community of practice. Through strategic updates, practical guidance and professional discussions, you will gain insights into current local and national priorities, explore effective approaches to inclusion, and hear about developments across the SEND system. You will also have the opportunity to meet and network with Locality SEND Teachers, share experiences with fellow SENCos, seek advice on challenges, celebrate successes, and learn from the expertise of colleagues across Sheffield.

Whether you are new to the SENCo role or an experienced practitioner, these sessions provide a supportive and engaging environment for networking, peer learning, and professional dialogue. With dedicated time for round-table discussions, questions and collaborative problem-solving, this is a chance to expand your professional network, gain fresh ideas and help shape inclusive practice across the city.

Come along, connect with colleagues, access expert support and be part of Sheffield's collective commitment to ensuring every child receives the best possible start in life.

Audience: Sheffield PVI SENCOs and practitioners

Date/s and time, location:

Location: The Hope Centre, Bernard Rd, Sheffield S2 5BQ
St Mary’s Church, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4QZ

Cost: Free for Sheffield Early Years PVI SENCos and Practitioners

Training Team: 0-5 SEND teachers and Inclusion Assistants

Led by Sheffield's 0–5 SEND Team, our Early Years SENCo Briefing and Network is your opportunity to stay informed, connected and confident in supporting children with SEND. Aligned with the ambitions of the Best Start in Life Sheffield Early Years Strategy, these sessions provide the latest local and national updates, practical guidance and information on key SEND developments affecting early years providers across the city.

Designed for both experienced and new SENCos, the briefings offer a supportive space to explore current priorities, ask questions, share ideas and engage in professional discussion with colleagues and Locality SEND Teachers. Join us to strengthen your knowledge, enhance inclusive practice and collaborate with others who share your commitment to ensuring every child receives the best possible start in life.

Audience: Sheffield Childminders and home-based early years practitioners

Date/s and time, location:

Location: Online

Cost: Free for Sheffield Childminders and home-based early years practitioners

Training Team: 0-5 SEND team

TBC

Audience: Early Years leaders and teachers in school

Date/s and time, location:

Location: Learn Sheffield

Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings.

Training Team: Ruth Swales

TBC

Audience: Early Years leaders and teachers in school

Date/s and time, location:

Location: Learn Sheffield

Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings.

Training Team: Ruth Swales

Sheffield Early Years Together – Childminders and Home-based early years practitioners briefing and networking

As a valued part of Sheffield's early years workforce, childminders and home-based early years practitioners play a crucial role in delivering the ambitions of the Best Start in Life Sheffield Early Years Strategy. Through high-quality, inclusive and nurturing experiences, you help children develop the foundations they need to thrive, supporting our shared vision that every child receives the best possible start in life.

We warmly invite you to join our Childminder and Home-Based Early Years Practitioner Briefing, Network and Professional Development Sessions. These events provide an opportunity to stay informed about local and national developments, explore current early years priorities, hear from a range of specialist speakers, and engage with practice-focused presentations linked to the EYFS and wider early years agenda.

By bringing together colleagues from across the city, these sessions support the strategic priorities of strengthening workforce knowledge, promoting professional collaboration, and sharing effective practice to improve outcomes for children and families. They also provide a valuable forum to ask questions, exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and build supportive professional networks with like-minded practitioners and partners.

This year, our briefing and network sessions will provide dedicated time for professional dialogue, round-table discussions, collaborative problem-solving and peer learning. Each session will include refreshments and a light lunch, helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment for meaningful networking and discussion.

Sessions will focus on current strategic and operational priorities for the early years sector in Sheffield, alongside key local and national updates. We are also keen to ensure that the programme reflects the interests and needs of our childminding and home-based early years practitioner community and therefore welcome suggestions for future topics that colleagues feel would be beneficial, relevant and supportive to their professional development.

Together, we can continue to strengthen Sheffield's early years workforce and ensure every child has the opportunity to achieve the very best start in life.

Audience: Sheffield Childminders and Home-based early years practitioners

Date/s and time, location:

Locations: Leisure United Graves, Bochum Parkway, Sheffield, S8 8JR
Leisure United Thorncliffe, Pack Horse Lane, Sheffield, S35 3HY
Leisure United Westfield, Isobel Bowler Sports Ground, Moss Way, Sheffield, S20 8FA

Cost: Free for Sheffield Childminders and Home-based early years practitioners

Training Team: Early Years Quality Team Managers, Early Years Quality Team, Local Authority leads and partners.