Fully funded professional development for practitioners working with children aged 2–4

Our Early Language Professional Development Programme is designed to help early years practitioners strengthen their knowledge, confidence and practice in supporting children’s communication and language development.

Delivered over one academic term, the programme combines independent learning with facilitated seminars, giving participants opportunities to check their understanding, reflect with other practitioners and explore practical ideas to take back into their settings.

The programme is open to Level 3+ practitioners working in PVIs, childminding settings and schools with nursery classes within North Northamptonshire, West Northamptonshire, Rutland, North Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

The programme covers seven units:

1. Understanding typical language development
2. Creating communication supportive environments
3. Achieving high-quality interactions
4. Measuring progress and identifying needs
5. How language supports behaviour and wellbeing
6. Building partnership with parents
7. Embedding good communication and language in your setting

The programme is led by Michelle Loake, Early Language Learning Lead, with two cohorts available: an afternoon cohort or an evening cohort.

Cohort A – afternoons: 20 October–15 December 2026, beginning with a welcome session followed by seven seminars.

Cohort B – evenings: 20 October–15 December 2026.

Early Language Professional Development Programme – Cohort A

• Tuesday 20 October 2026 — 1:00–2:00pm — Welcome and introductory session
• Tuesday 27 October 2026 — 1:00–2:30pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 1
• Tuesday 3 November 2026 — 1:00–2:30pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 2
• Tuesday 17 November 2026 — 1:00–2:30pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 3
• Tuesday 24 November 2026 — 1:00–2:30pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 4
• Tuesday 1 December 2026 — 1:00–2:30pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 5
• Tuesday 8 December 2026 — 1:00–2:30pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 6
• Tuesday 15 December 2026 — 1:00–3:00pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 7 and action planning

Early Language Professional Development Programme – Cohort B

• Tuesday 20 October 2026 — 5:30–6:30pm — Welcome and introductory session
• Tuesday 27 October 2026 — 5:30–7:00pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 1
• Tuesday 3 November 2026 — 5:30–7:00pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 2
• Tuesday 17 November 2026 — 5:30–7:00pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 3
• Tuesday 24 November 2026 — 5:30–7:00pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 4
• Tuesday 1 December 2026 — 5:30–7:00pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 5
• Tuesday 8 December 2026 — 5:30–7:00pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 6
• Tuesday 15 December 2026 — 5:30–8:30pm — Seminar reflecting on Unit 7 and action planning