Sheffield City Council Early Years CPD Programme

This training is designed for school-based EYFS leaders who wish to reflect on and develop their own leadership styles and core leadership competencies within Early Years.

Delivered over three sessions, the programme provides EYFS leaders with valuable opportunities to network with colleagues in similar roles, share practice and explore strategies to enhance outcomes for both children and the staff teams they lead.

Rooted in evidence-informed practice and shaped by local and national priorities, the training is carefully planned yet remains flexible. This allows sessions to respond to participants’ needs, enabling leaders to explore different pathways for improvement and development within their own settings.

An additional coaching session will be offered in addition to the above.

“This has been inspiring!”

“Great to have an additional mentoring session”

Audience: New and existing leaders of EYFS in schools, also suitable for those returning to EYFS leadership after a break.

 

Cohort 1

Date/s and time, location:

Date/Time	Venue
Thursday 15th October 2026 9.30-4.00pm	St Mary’s Church, S2 4QZ	Book Here
Thursday 26th November 2026 9.30-4.00pm
Thursday 28th January 2027 9.30-4.00pm

Location: St Mary’s Church, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4QZ

 

Cohort 2

Date/s and time, location:

Date/Time	Venue
Tuesday 12th January 2027 9.30-4.00pm	Phillimore Primary School, S9 5EF	Book Here
Tuesday 23rd February 2027 9.30-4.00pm
Tuesday 27th April 2027 9.30-4.00pm

Location: Phillimore Community Primary School, Phillimore Rd, Sheffield, S9 5EF

Cost: 3 Tokens or Pay as you go price on request from EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk

Training Team: Early Years Quality and Access Team

1 Day Leadership Training

Knowledge to Nurture- Nurturing Leaders is a dynamic one day training session designed to strengthen leadership confidence, develop reflective practice, and improve team cohesion across early years settings. This focused programme supports leaders to understand how their communication, aspirations, expectations and decision making shape practitioner wellbeing, consistency of practice within teams and professional growth.

Throughout the day, leaders explore how to create a positive team culture where staff feel valued, supported and motivated. The session examines approaches that help teams work together more effectively, build trust and engage in open, constructive dialogue. Leaders consider how to nurture team dynamics that encourage shared problem solving, collaborative thinking and a strong sense of unity.

Leaders will gain strategies to help guide, mentor and challenge their teams in ways that will strengthen practice and improve quality. Leaders who attended the course found it highly valuable, highlighting its practical focus and relevance to their roles. Key themes in the feedback include:

• Practical and actionable content: Participants appreciated the range of ideas and strategies they could immediately apply in their settings.
• Mindset and communication: The course supported leaders in reflecting on their approach, particularly in understanding how to shift mindset and adapt tone effectively.
• Support for leadership roles: Attendees found the sessions inspiring and empowering, helping them build confidence and sustain momentum in their managerial responsibilities.
• Strengthening relationships: Leaders gained insight into developing stronger, more effective working relationships with staff, particularly through improved communication and understanding.

Audience: Early Years managers and leaders of Sheffield PVI settings

Date/s and time, location:

Date/Time	Venue
Monday 28th September 2026 9.30-4.00pm	Moorfoot Learning Centre, S1 4PL	Book Here
Tuesday 16th March 2027 9.30-4.00pm	Manor Community Childcare Centre, S2 1BE	Book Here

Locations: Moorfoot Learning Centre, Moorfoot, Level 1, West Wing 1, South Ln, Sheffield S1 4PL
Manor Community Childcare Centre, 33 Vikinglea Road, Sheffield, S2 1BE

Cost: 1 Token or Pay as you go price on request from EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk

Training Team: Early Years Quality Improvement Team

From Focus to Flourish is a three-session professional development programme, with a final collaborative networking event, designed to support schools and PVI settings to use the Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) effectively and strategically.

Grounded in research informed practice and guided by Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) evidence, the programme focuses on strengthening educator practice as the most powerful lever for improving outcomes for disadvantaged children and narrowing gaps in Good Level of Development (GLD).

Across the programme, participants will build a shared understanding of Early Years Pupil Premium purpose and impact, challenge common myths, and explore how to balance high quality universal provision with targeted support.

Through case studies, practical activities and peer collaboration, settings will be supported to identify priority practice gaps and develop clear, evidence aligned Early Years Pupil Premium action plans.

Between sessions, participants will complete a reflective gap task, using research informed observation and audit tools to trial approaches in their own settings. Follow up sessions provide structured opportunities to reflect, refine practice, and strengthen implementation through peer consultancy and coaching style discussion.

The final collaborative session brings settings together to share impact, reflect on learning, explore sustainability, and build networks of support. Links are made throughout to inclusion, Ofsted expectations, local priorities, family engagement and wider system partners, ensuring Early Years Pupil Premium is embedded as part of a coherent, inclusive and sustainable approach to early years improvement.

Ideal for schools and PVI settings seeking to maximise the impact of Early Years Pupil Premium through confident leadership, reflective practice and research-based decision making.

Audience: Schools and PVI settings seeking to maximise the impact of Early Years Pupil Premium through confident leadership, reflective practice and research-based decision making.

Cohort 1

Date/s and time, location:

Date/Time	Venue
Tuesday 29th September 2026 9.30-3.30pm	Moorfoot Learning Centre, S1 4PL	Book Here
Tuesday 10th November 2026 9.30-3.30pm
Tuesday 2nd February 2027 9.30-3.30pm
Tuesday 20th April 2027 9.30-3.30pm

Location: Moorfoot Learning Centre, Moorfoot, Level 1, West Wing 1, South Lane, Sheffield S1 4PL.

 

Cohort 2

Date/s and time, location:

Date/Time	Venue
Thursday 28th January 2027 9.30-3.30pm	The Hope Centre, S2 5BQ	Book Here
Thursday 25th March 2027 9.30-3.30pm
Thursday 27th May 2027 9.30-3.30pm
Thursday 8th July 2027 9.30-3.30pm

Location: The Hope Centre, S2 5BQ

 

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

**Please note all sessions must be attended by the same person

Cost: Free to attend – funded by Sheffield City Council

Training Team: Early Years Quality and Access Team

The Healthy Early Years is an accredited quality assurance award, endorsed by Sheffield’s Director of Public Health. The training and award recognise and celebrate a holistic, whole-setting approach to health and wellbeing in early years provision.

The award covers seven strands that promote key Public Health messages. Each strand guides settings to demonstrate their commitment to supporting children, families, staff, and the wider community to make informed choices that contribute to positive physical, mental, emotional health and wellbeing.

To undertake the award, settings are required to:

• *Attend all training sessions
• Work together as a whole staff team to complete the reflective toolkit
• Submit the toolkit, with an action plan and a Healthy Early Years communication plan to be considered for the award panel

The award covers:

• Food and healthy eating
• Leadership and management
• Health and safety
• The EYFS prime areas
• Parent partnership and involvement
• Building relationships and supporting infant feeding
• Immunisation

Feedback from previous attendees

• “It was very useful to collaborate with a range of early years settings”
• “Very informative and interesting, it was god to hear what everyone had to say”
• “Training was delivered effectively whilst remaining fun and engaging”
• “I always feel well supported doing the HEY Award – thank you!”

**Please note: To maintain the award, reaccreditation training must be attended. The date for this is provided in the letter received from the award panel.

Audience: EYFS Leaders and / or practitioners from schools, PVI setting managers and childminders/home based early years practitioners. This must be a practitioner with the ability to lead and coordinate a whole-team approach, and to influence and support change, where needed to achieve the award.

A manager or member of the senior team will be expected to attend the introduction session and to complete the required learning agreement.

**Please note: The HEY Award is suitable for providers where practice has been positively recognised by Ofsted or following discussions with the LA Quality Team Managers.

EY HEY Cohort 07

Date/s and time, location:

Date/Time	Venue
Tuesday 15th September 2026 10:00 – 11:30am Introduction	Online	Email to Book
Tuesday 29th September 2026 9:00 – 4:00pm Session 1	Learn Sheffield, S4 7UD
Tuesday 3rd November 2026 9.00 – 12.30pm Session 2
Tuesday 12th January 2027 9.00 – 12.30pm Session 3
Tuesday 23rd February 2027 9.00 – 12.30pm Session 4

Location: Learn Sheffield, Suite 6, Albion House, Savile Street, Sheffield, S4 7UD

* Please note all sessions within your cohort must be attended

 

EY HEY Cohort 08

Date/s and time, location:

Date/Time	Venue
Thursday 25th March 2027 10:00 – 11:30am Introduction	Online	Email to Book
Thursday 15th April 2027 9:00 – 4:00pm Session 1	Learn Sheffield, S4 7UD
Thursday 13th May 2027 9.00 – 12.30pm Session 2
Thursday 30th September 2027 9.00 – 12.30pm Session 3
Thursday 4th November 2027 9.00 – 12.30pm Session 4

Location: Learn Sheffield, Suite 6, Albion House, Savile Street, Sheffield, S4 7UD

* Please note all sessions within your cohort must be attended

 

Maximum capacity: 10 per cohort

Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings

Training Team: Community Early Years Practitioners

How to book: email EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk

Healthy Futures is a positive, evidence-informed approach to food and nutrition in the early years. This Public Health endorsed certificate recognises good practice and celebrates the work you undertake with children and families, ensuring every child has the best possible start in life. Achieving the certificate demonstrates your commitment to ongoing reflective practice, aligning with Ofsted and Department for Education expectations, and supporting continuous improvement within your provision.

The training will:

• Provide insight into local and national public health priorities
• Support you to reflect on your current practice in relation to food and nutrition within the early years by completing a self-reflective toolkit
• Help you to create an action plan to support the ongoing development of your practice and provision
• Guide you through the process of achieving and maintaining certification

To achieve you will need to:

• Attend both training sessions
• Complete and submit the reflective toolkit, with an action plan to be considered for good practice certification

Audience: Childminders and Home-Based Early Years Practitioners

Date/s and time, location:

Date/Time	Venue
Saturday 3rd October 2026 9.30am – 12.30pm	Primrose Family Hub, S6 2TN	Email to Book
Saturday 7th November 2026 9.30am – 12.30pm	Primrose Family Hub, S6 2TN	Email to Book

Location: Primrose Family Hub, Creswick Street, Sheffield S6 2TN

Cost: Free to Sheffield schools and settings

Training Team: Community Early Years Practitioners

How to book: email EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk

A suite of online training sessions that can be accessed as a full package or on a pay as you go basis.

Content of each session

Leading Professional Practice

"This empowering session supports childminders to reflect on and strengthen their own professional practice. Explore how your values, mindset, and wellbeing influence the care and education you provide, and identify practical ways to grow in confidence and clarity as a leader in your setting. We’ll explore reflective practice, professional identity, and how small, intentional changes can lead to meaningful impact for both you and the children in your care.”

Leading the Learning Environment

"Your environment is a powerful teacher. In this session, we’ll explore how to create engaging, enabling spaces that inspire curiosity, independence, and deep learning. You’ll gain practical ideas to enhance both indoor and outdoor environments, with a focus on child-led learning, schemas, and meaningful interactions. Perfect for childminders wanting to maximise learning through thoughtful provision.”

Leading partnerships with parents

"Strong partnerships with parents are at the heart of high-quality childcare. This session explores how to build trust, communicate effectively, and work in true partnership to support children’s development. We’ll look at strategies for navigating difficult conversations, sharing learning in meaningful ways, and creating a culture of collaboration that benefits the whole family.”

Leading Assistants (if applicable)

"If you work with an assistant, you are a leader of people as well as practice. This session focuses on how to support, guide, and inspire others within your setting. Explore effective communication, setting clear expectations, and building a positive team culture. You’ll leave with practical tools to confidently lead your assistant and ensure consistency in quality care.”

Leading Quality and Compliance

"Feel confident in your responsibilities around quality and compliance. This session breaks down key expectations in a clear and manageable way, helping you to stay organised, prepared, and in control. We’ll explore policies, documentation, and everyday practices that demonstrate high-quality provision, ensuring you meet requirements while keeping children at the centre of everything you do.”

Leadership within the Inspection Toolkit

"Step into your role as a leader during inspection with confidence. This session will explore what leadership looks like through the inspection lens and how to effectively showcase your strengths. We’ll unpick expectations, discuss how to talk about your practice, and help you feel prepared to demonstrate the impact of your provision. A must for childminders wanting to feel calm, confident, and inspection ready.”

Audience: Childminders and Home-based early years practitioners

Date/s and time, location:

Date/Time	Venue
Wednesday 23rd September 2026 6.00-8.30pm Leading Professional Practice	Online	Book Now
Thursday 12th November 2026 6.00-8.30pm Leading the Learning Environment	Online	Book Now
Tuesday 12th January 2027 6.00-8.30pm Leading partnerships with parents	Online	Book Now
Tuesday 9th March 2027 6.00-8.30pm Leading Assistants (if applicable)	Online	Book Now
Wednesday 21st April 2027 6.00-8.30pm Leading Quality and Compliance	Online	Book Now
Thursday 13th May 2027 6.00-8.30pm Leadership within the Inspection Toolkit	Online	Book Now

Location: Online

Cost: 2 tokens to access 5 / 6 sessions or Pay as you go price on request from EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk

Training Team: The Early Years Company

email EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk