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Early Years Short Courses

Early Years
Short Courses

Eden Training Solutions offers a variety of short courses designed to enhance skills, confidence and professional development in childcare and education.

Format
Online CPD
For
Early Years Teams
Focus
Skills Growth
View Short Courses Get Started
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Professional Development

Short Courses for Early Years Professionals

Short courses are an effective way to support professional development across Early Years and childcare settings.

Eden’s short courses combine theoretical knowledge with practical learning, helping learners develop confidence, strengthen practice and build skills that can be applied in real childcare and education environments.

What You’ll Gain

Practical Knowledge for Real Settings

Our short courses are designed for people working in childcare and education, including nursery practitioners, team leaders and childminders.

Courses are designed to support professional growth, refresh knowledge and help teams feel more confident in key areas of Early Years practice.

Browse short courses →

early years apprenticeships uk

Course Options

More About Eden’s Short Courses

With our expertly crafted curriculum, you can gain a deeper understanding of key concepts, enhance your skills and make a positive impact in your career.

Our courses include The Child’s Developing Mind and SENCo Special Educational Needs Coordinator, with content designed to provide useful knowledge and practical experience.

Child Development

Understand children’s development, behaviours and learning needs.

Inclusive Practice

Build confidence supporting children with different needs.

Workplace Skills

Develop useful skills for childcare and education settings.

Short Course Library

Explore Our Short Courses

Choose from Eden’s short course options for Early Years, childcare and education professionals.

Eden's Short Courses

All our short courses are FREE with every apprenticeship.

childs developing mind course

The Child's Developing Mind

A specialist short course helping Early Years teams understand how children think, learn, develop confidence and respond to the world around them.

⏱ Duration 90 minutes

♙ Format Online course

✩ Included Free with apprenticeships

Senco doing sign language with child in class

What We Offer

Short Courses Designed Around Childcare and Education

At Eden Training Solutions, we believe in empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their chosen field.

Our short courses are carefully designed to support those working in childcare and education, with content that helps learners deepen understanding and apply new approaches in practice.

The Child’s Developing Mind course provides a deeper understanding of the functions of a child’s subconscious mind and how this can influence behaviour.

Apprenticeships

Childcare Courses and Early Years Apprenticeships

See our range of childcare courses below and get in touch if you have any questions.

Early Years Initial Teacher Training

A progression route for practitioners who want to achieve Early Years Teacher Status and lead high-quality practice.

⏱ Duration 12 months
♙ Funding Fully funded
✩ Outcome EYTS

Fully funded opportunities available, get in touch to enquire.

Early Years Practitioner Level 2

A progression route for practitioners who plan, deliver and assess high-quality early education and care in line with the EYFS.

⏱ Duration 12–14 months
♙ Funding £5,000
✩ £0 co-investment*
Eligible apprentices aged 16–24

*For new starts from 1 August 2026. Eligibility and funding band limits apply.

Fully funded opportunities available, get in touch to enquire.

effective learning in early years

Early Years Educator Level 3

A progression route for practitioners who plan, deliver and assess high-quality early education and care in line with the EYFS.

⏱ Duration 12–16 months
♙ Funding £7,000
✩ £0 co-investment*
Eligible apprentices aged 16–24

*For new starts from 1 August 2026. Eligibility and funding band limits apply.

Fully funded opportunities available, get in touch to enquire.

teaching assistant

Teaching Assistant Level 3

A progression route for teaching support staff who help pupils learn, develop and progress in school settings.

⏱ Duration 12–15 months
♙ Funding £7,000
✩ £0 co-investment*
Eligible apprentices aged 16–24

*For new starts from 1 August 2026. Eligibility and funding band limits apply.

Fully funded opportunities available, get in touch to enquire.

Nursery Manager Challenges for hiring new staff

Early Years SENCO Level 3

A specialist route for early years practitioners supporting children with SEND and inclusive practice in the EYFS.

⏱ Duration 6 months
♙ Funding Fully funded
✩ Qualification Level 3

Fully funded opportunities available, get in touch to enquire.

Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5

A progression route for practitioners who plan, deliver and assess high-quality early education and care in line with the EYFS.

⏱ Duration 15–18 months
♙ Funding £9,000
✩ £0 co-investment*
Eligible apprentices aged 16–24

*For new starts from 1 August 2026. Eligibility and funding band limits apply.

Fully funded opportunities available, get in touch to enquire.

sign and speech therapy course image two people signing to communicate

Early Years Speech, Language & Communication Specialist Level 5

Help children overcome speech, language and communication barriers with specialist Level 5 training designed for early years practitioners ready to become their setting's speech and language champion.

⏱ Duration up to 21 months
♙ Funding Fully funded
✩ Qualification Level 5

Fully funded opportunities available, get in touch to enquire.

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Career Progression

Everything You Need to Know

Short courses can sit alongside wider apprenticeship pathways and help learners build skills, confidence and professional knowledge.

Childcare apprenticeships and short courses can provide a wide range of benefits to both individuals and employers. Learners gain hands-on experience and targeted knowledge, while employers benefit from a more skilled and confident workforce.

For those looking to advance their careers, Eden offers apprenticeship routes from Early Years Practitioner through to higher level leadership pathways, supporting career development across Early Years and childcare.

Childcare offers a wide variety of job roles and career opportunities for people interested in supporting the growth and development of young children.

FAQs

Early Years Short Course Questions

Find answers to common questions about Eden’s Early Years short courses, including cost, duration, accreditation and who they are designed for.

Courses are free for all Eden apprentices.

Course duration varies depending on the course. The Child’s Developing Mind is a 90-minute online course. The SENCo course lasts for 8 weeks.

Yes, Eden’s short courses are designed to meet relevant Early Years, EYFS and Ofsted expectations where applicable.

These courses are designed for individuals working in childcare and education, including nursery practitioners, team leaders and childminders.

You can get started by completing the form below. Please note that you must be employed within an Early Years or childcare setting to apply for some courses.

Get Started With Eden Training Solutions

Interested in one of our Early Years short courses? Complete the form below and our team will help you with the next step.