Early Years Autism Training
The aims of the training are:
- To increase understanding and awareness of autism and social communication neeeds.
- To explore strategies to support learning and development.
- To enhance effective support for early years children across all settings.
Course duration and delivery options:
- 2 x 2-hour virtual twilight sessions or
- 1 full day in-person full day training
- Bespoke whole setting/ school inset training
- Bespoke training sessions for childminders
- Delivered by Early Years Specialist Advisory Teachers
If you do want to enquire about attending or receiving bespoke training for your setting, please email:
EarlyYearsTraining@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Early Years Valuing SEND (VSEND)
VSEND is about supporting inclusion through solution-focused, person-centred tools, strengthening provision, building an understanding of need, and enabling engagement with families.
This virtual training is designed for all Early Years schools and settings to help you understand how VSEND can support your APDR process. It is ideal for SENCOs and managers who want to gain a deeper understanding of VSEND.
This training is for SENCOs and Early Years professionals in PVI and school settings.
Course duration and delivery:
- 1.5 hour virtual session
- Delivered by Early Years Inclusion Advisors (EYIAs)
Speech and Language UK - Early Talk Boost
The aims of the training are:
- To deliver an evidenced-based, targeted intervention for 3 - 4 year olds that helps boost children’s language skills and narrow the gap between them and their peers. Early Talk Boost can help you support young children who are struggling with talking and understanding words.
Course duration and delivery options:
- 1 full day training or
- 1 full day in-person training
- Summer term 2026 roll out across Stevenage and Watford settings
- County wide training dates for the Autumn Term will be advertised in due course
- Delivered by Early Years Specialist Advisory Teachers trained by Speech and Language UK.
For more information, to book or register interest in future training dates please contact:
Laura.wilson@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Debbi.watson@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Introduction course to Early Years Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour
The aims of this short course are:
- Provide practitioners with the foundations to understand the key principles to Early Years Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour
- To develop an understanding of Early Years stages of development and how these impact upon the emotional wellbeing and behaviour of young children.
- To explore the role of Early Years Educators in supporting the development of new skills with regards to emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
Course duration:
- 1 hr 15 mins virtual session
- Delivered by Early Years Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviours Specialists (EWBs)
“I just wanted to send a massive thank you for delivering the TAB training yesterday – it was genuinely outstanding!
Your approach was so engaging and refreshing, and it really landed well with everyone. The energy, clarity, and structure you brought made a huge difference, and your knowledge and expertise really shone through from start to finish. I have fed back to your Head of Service to tell her just how amazing you both were – it really was next level.”
- Nursery School Head Teacher, April 2026
Early Years Therapeutic Approaches to Behaviour (TAB) Training
TAB is Hertfordshire's preferred strategy to supporting emotional wellbeing and behaviour for children in the Early Years (0-5 years). The approach forms part of the authority’s Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour Strategy and is underpinned by therapeutic approaches to behaviour management.
Pre-course learning
TAB builds upon the information from Attachment Aware and Trauma Informed Toolkit from Hertfordshire Virtual School. Please access the below recorded training before attending TAB sessions.
Course duration and delivery options:
- TAB training is a 3 module course
- Half day virtual and full day in-person
- Delivered by Early Years Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour Specialists (EWBs)
Also available:
Introduction to Therapeutic Approaches to Behaviour (TAB) for Childminders
Therapeutic Approaches to Behaviour (TAB) for Childminders
For more information contact: TAB@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviours 'Lite Bites'
Short, easily accessible virtual sessions, designed to increase practitioner confidence, provide practical strategies and develop understanding. The sessions support the TAB approach for children under 5 in their developmental journeys.
- We see you 'Boys'
- Biting in the Early Years
- Risk taking in the Early Years
- Supporting children in the Early years to build resilience
- Separation and transitions in the Early Years
Course duration and delivery:
- 1 hour virtual sessions
- No need to pre-book
- MS Teams link provided
- Delivered by Early Years Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour Specialists (EWBs)
For more information on training and support available from your link EWB please contact:
Julie.Mcelhinney@hertfordshire.gov.uk (DSPL 7&8)
Dominique.johnson@hertfordshire.gov.uk (DSPL 6&9)
Denise.filer@hertfordshire.gov.uk (DSPL 3,4&5)
Anna.Mutch@hertfordshire.gov.uk (DSPL 1&2)
Introduction to the Early Years SENCo role
This training is designed to provide an introduction to the role of the Early Years SENCo for practitioners working in PVI’s and Maintained Nursery Schools.
Course duration and delivery:
- 2 x 4 hour sessions
- Virtual and in-person sessions offered
- Delivered by Inclusion Development Officers (IDOs)
Early Years Key Worker Training
This training is designed to provide an introduction to the role of the Key worker for practitioners working with children with SEND needs in PVIs and Maintained Nursery Schools.
Course duration and delivery:
- 2 x 3 hour sessions
- Runs in Autumn and Spring
- Delivered by Inclusion Development Officers (IDOs)
Eastern Partnership UK, Level 3 Certificate for SENCOs in Early Years (CERTSEY)
Build your confidence in tackling the varied responsibilities and challenges of the Early Years SENCo role.
The Level 3 Certificate is designed to improve your:
- Knowledge of the Early Years SENCO role
- Understanding of the laws regulations and statutory guidance relating to special education needs and disability (SEND)
- Confidence to work in a person-centred way with children, parents/carers and specialists to secure good outcomes
- Ability to advise and support colleagues in implementing the graduated approach of assess, plan, do and review
Course duration and delivery:
- 6 x 2-hour virtual workshops
- Autumn and Spring cohorts
- Delivered by Inclusion Development Officers (IDOs)
For more information and to register your interest please visit the Easter Partnership website