Sheffield City Council Early Years CPD Programme

This webpage brings together the training, professional development and support opportunities available to Sheffield's early years workforce through the Early Years Quality Team and a range of partner organisations. Our aim is to make it easier for practitioners, leaders, childminders and home-based early years practitioners to find and access high-quality development opportunities in one place.

The offer is organised into key areas of practice, including Curriculum, Teaching and Learning; Communication, Language, Literacy and School Readiness; Leadership and Professional Development; and Safeguarding, Inclusion and Children's Wellbeing. Alongside the city-wide training programme, the Early Years Quality Team also provides a range of bespoke support for settings and providers. This can include coaching, mentoring, quality improvement support and tailored training, designed around local priorities and individual needs.

This joined-up approach supports the ambitions of both the Sheffield Early Years Strategy and the Best Start in Life Strategy, recognising that a skilled, confident and well-supported workforce is fundamental to improving outcomes for children and reducing inequalities. Through professional development, networks, collaboration and communities of practice, we aim to strengthen professional knowledge, build leadership capacity and support continuous improvement across the sector.

By working together and sharing expertise, we can continue to nurture and develop the strong practice that exists across Sheffield, supporting providers to reflect, innovate and enhance outcomes for children and families. This collective approach helps ensure more children experience a positive start in life and are equipped with the foundations they need to thrive in learning and beyond.

For any queries or feedback about this new approach, please contact EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk or Vicky Carr, EYFS Quality, Access and Moderation Manager Vicky.Carr@sheffield.gov.uk / 07971 376801

SEND Sheffield City Council Early Years CPD Programme 2026/27

Safeguarding Free Networks and Briefings Leadership Training SEND Training A Unique Child Positive Relationships Enabling Environments Learning and Development Bespoke/In-house Training Sharing Key Public Health Messages Useful Early Years Links and Documents HEY and Commitment to Quality Meet the Team Venue Information SEND Training

Useful Early Years Links and Documents

EY Statutory Framework – Childminders and Group and School-Based providers

Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK

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Sheffield City Council Early Years CPD Programme

Useful Early Years Links and Documents

Statutory Assessments

Non-statutory guidance

SEND support, guidance and links

Safeguarding support and links

Ofsted

Practitioner support, guidance and links

Early Years membership organisations

Sheffield links