Practical learning
Workshops for confident practice.
Explore practical workshops designed to support reflection, discussion and useful next steps.
Twelve practical workshops
Choose a workshop to explore.
Open a workshop to read its aim, timing and overview. Contact us to discuss dates and delivery arrangements.
IT for beginners2 hours
- Aim
- To understand Word, Dictating, cut and paste, uploading and file storage
- Overview
- This introductory 2hour session is designed to help learners build confidence using essential digital skills needed for starting assignments or writing letters. The course covers the basics of Microsoft Word, including how to navigate the screen, type and edit text, use dictation, and apply simple formatting. Learners will practise cutting, copying, and pasting information, uploading documents, and organising files so they can store and retrieve their work easily. By the end of the session, learners will feel more comfortable creating written work independently, whether they are beginning an assignment or drafting a professional letter.
Team leader for Business2 hours
- Aim
- To understand how to manage a team for success
- Overview
- This session explores how team dynamics shape performance and how leaders can use insight, communication, and clear expectations to bring out the best in their teams. Learners will develop an understanding of how individuals work together, what motivates different personalities, and how to recognise strengths, barriers, and behaviours that influence team culture. The course introduces practical tools for setting meaningful performance targets and aligning them with organisational KPIs, helping leaders track progress, drive accountability, and support continuous improvement.Participants will also examine what effective team leadership looks like in practice, from building trust and giving feedback to managing conflict and encouraging collaboration. A key focus is navigating the unique challenges of leading staff you are also friends with, including maintaining professional boundaries, fairness, and confidence in decisionmaking. By the end of the session, learners will have a clearer understanding of how their team works, how to set and monitor performance expectations, and how to lead with clarity, consistency, and confidence.
Room leader leadership skills2 hours
- Aim
- To understand how to manage a team for success
- Overview
- The aim of this course is to support nursery Room Leaders in understanding how team dynamics influence the quality of practice within the early years environment. The session will equip leaders with practical skills to set clear performance targets, align daily practice with nursery KPIs and EYFS requirements, and lead their room team confidently. It also aims to build confidence in managing professional boundaries, especially when supervising staff who are also friends, ensuring fairness, consistency, and high standards of care and education.
Auditing and telling the story2 hours
- Aim
- How do we tell the story of achievement when being audited
- Overview
- This session explores how to use audits, data, and evidence to tell a clear and compelling story of achievement and improvement. Learners will examine how numbers, figures, and performance information can be interpreted to show progress, highlight strengths, and identify areas for development. The course focuses on sectors where assignments, reviews, and learner evidence form the core of quality assurance, helping participants understand how to organise and link information in a way that demonstrates how teams have worked together to make positive changes. By the end of the session, learners will feel confident using audit findings to communicate impact, celebrate success, and show a clear journey of improvement.
What is communication2 hours
- Aim
- To understand communication with different stakeholders and how to show your understanding
- Overview
- This session explores what communication really means in a professional setting and how to adapt your approach for different stakeholders. Learners will examine how audience needs shape the way information should be shared, and how misunderstandings often arise from unclear language, assumptions, or cultural and diversityrelated barriers. The course focuses on developing confident, purposeful communication that demonstrates understanding, builds trust, and supports positive working relationships. Participants will learn how to identify communication barriers, respond appropriately, and create inclusive, accessible messages that meet the needs of each audience.
Activities for babies2 hours
- Aim
- Activities for babies and exploring their needs
- Overview
- To develop practitioners’ confidence in planning and delivering meaningful activities for babies, while understanding how these experiences meet their developmental, emotional, physical and sensory needs.
EYFS for parents2 hours
- Aim
- To help parents understand the EYFS, recognise how nurseries use it to support children’s development, and learn practical ways to continue learning at home through simple, meaningful activities.
- Overview
- This session introduces parents to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and explains how nurseries use it to support children’s learning, development and wellbeing. The course breaks down the areas of learning in simple, jargonfree language and shows parents what these look like in everyday nursery practice. Families will explore what children need at different stages, how staff observe and plan for progress, and how home learning activities can strengthen development. The session aims to build confidence, partnership and shared understanding so parents feel empowered to support their child’s learning both in nursery and at home.
School readiness for parents2 hours
- Aim
- To help parents understand the practical, emotional and developmental skills children need for starting school, and to provide simple strategies they can use at home to build confidence, independence and readiness.
- Overview
- This session supports parents in understanding what “school readiness” really means and how they can begin building these skills at home. The course explains key areas such as potty/toilet training, developing independence, dressing and undressing for PE, early selfcare, and helping children feel confident about starting school. Parents will learn simple, everyday strategies to build these skills gradually, reduce anxiety, and avoid common pitfalls. The session also explores how to talk positively about school, how to recognise and support barriers, and how to work in partnership with nursery staff to prepare children for a smooth transition.
KCSIE 20262 hours
- Aim
- KCSIE 2026 introduces one of the largest safeguarding updates in recent years, with major changes across practice, policy, safer recruitment, online safety, mental health, and vulnerable groups.
- Overview
- Broader safeguarding scope: More emphasis on early help, Family Help, modern slavery, financial exploitation, misogyny, incels, and childonparent abuse. Mental health strengthened: Expanded guidance on suicidal ideation, serious violence, and mental health as a safeguarding risk. Childonchild abuse expanded: Now includes harassment, violence, harmful sexual behaviour, and teenage relationship abuse. New vulnerable groups: Young carers, children with medical conditions, genderquestioning children, and SEND barriers expanded. Online safety overhaul:Annual filtering & monitoring reviewsNew guidance on AI and deepfake imageryMobilefree expectations for schoolsUpdated definitions of online risks (content, contact, conduct, commerce)Safer recruitment changes:Removal of the supervision exemption → more volunteers now require DBS checksUpdated regulated activity definitionsNew expectations for trainee teachersPremises & operations:New section on school premises regulationsToilets & PE changing guidanceStronger DSL cover expectationsInformation sharing strengthened:Clearer dutiesUpdated transfer of child protection filesCybersecurity alignment
Literacy in early years2 hours
- Aim
- Exploring literacy in the early years: discover ideas and a starting point to build upon
- Overview
- This session introduces parents and practitioners to what literacy really looks like in the early years, far beyond books and writing. Literacy begins from birth through simple interactions, sensory experiences, and playful exploration. The course helps learners understand how babies start to build the foundations of reading and writing through turning pages, pointing to pictures, babbling, markmaking, and exploring the world around them. It also highlights how outdoor play, baking, and playdough activities naturally support early literacy by developing language, sequencing, finemotor skills, and understanding of the world. The session provides practical ideas and starting points that families and practitioners can build upon to create rich, meaningful literacy experiences every day.
What is a leader?2 hours
- Aim
- To understand how to lead and engage your team rather than just manager them
- Overview
- This session explores what it truly means to be a leader in an early years or education setting, moving beyond simply managing tasks and routines. Learners will examine the difference between leadership and management, understanding why both are important but serve different purposes. The session focuses on how leaders inspire, motivate and engage their teams, rather than just instructing or supervising them. Participants will explore key leadership skills such as communication, emotional intelligence, coaching, adaptability and modelling best practice — and why no single leadership style works for every member of staff. The session aims to build confidence in leading people, supporting professional growth, and creating a positive team culture.
Dealing with KPI2 hours
- Aim
- Understanding what a KPI is and how to make them fit for use,
- Overview
- This session explores how leaders can use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) effectively to drive improvement without overwhelming or demotivating staff. Learners will examine how realistic, meaningful targets help teams stay focused, understand expectations, and feel supported rather than pressured. The session highlights the importance of breaking down large goals into achievable steps, using data to guide decisions, and adapting targets to different staff strengths and roles. Participants will learn how clear KPIs improve communication, accountability and confidence, ultimately leading to stronger performance and successful goal achievement across the organisation. Professional growth and creating a positive team culture.
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