Free online SEND training opens to all early years practitioners
Three courses on inclusive practice, funded by the government and run by the charity Dingley's Promise, are open to early years educators in every type of setting, including childminders.
At a glance
investment in SEND and inclusion training announced in January
- Free online training on special educational needs and disabilities is now available to all early years practitioners.
- The three courses are funded by the Department for Education and delivered by the charity Dingley's Promise.
- A second phase will launch in autumn 2027, with further online learning, webinars and a new local support offer.
Free online training on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is now available to all early years practitioners, Foundation Years has announced.
The training is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and developed and delivered by the early years charity Dingley's Promise. It is part of the government's SEND training reforms in England.
Foundation Years said the first phase of the new national training offer for early years launched last week. The DfE announced a £200 million investment in SEND and inclusion training in January.
What the training covers
The training is designed for all early years educators working with children aged 0 to 4. It aims to strengthen inclusive practice and help staff better identify and support children with SEND.
It is made up of three courses:
- Foundations of Inclusive Practice
- Embedding Inclusive Practice
- Parent Partnership
Foundation Years said the courses offer practical information, strategies and reflective tools. They are suitable for educators of all levels and in all types of provision, including childminders.
The training is designed to be used flexibly, so learners can work through it and return to it at times that suit them.
The DfE has said the training will support staff to use age-appropriate inclusive practices from day one. Its examples include visual timetables to help children with transitions between activities, and adapting environments to reduce unnecessary noise.
“This programme offers early years educators the opportunity to upskill and gain more confidence to support children with SEND at no cost to themselves or the setting and shows the increasing value being placed on early years education and its impact.”
What comes next
A second phase will launch in autumn 2027, according to Foundation Years. It will offer further online learning, in-depth webinars and a new local support offer.
The DfE said in January that its new early years training would be free and available to all early years practitioners.
For your setting
What this means for your setting
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Does this apply in Scotland? This training is part of the government's SEND reforms in England.
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Sources
- Newsflash: Launch of new SEND CPD training for all early years practitionersFoundation Years · 7 October 2026
- Biggest ever overhaul of SEND teacher training beginsDepartment for Education · 25 September 2026
- £200 million landmark SEND teacher training programmeDepartment for Education · 16 January 2026
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