During the COVID19 pandemic I have noticed many teachers online have been asking about about the relevant CPD available. Below I have compiled a list of CPD, both free and paid.
Free CPD
Eventbrite has free and paid training and webinars.
Coursera: This site offers a range of, in my opinion, excellent CPD. The CPD usually takes the form of recordings and quiz. The CPD is generally offered by University and colleges in the US. I particularly enjoyed Social Psychology and Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms.
Futurelearn: This site offers CPD which is directly related to Early Years. Titles include, Exploring Play, Supporting Physical Development in Early Childhood, Teaching Phonics to name but a few. Top name British/Australian/American Universities and Organisations lead these courses, usually in the form of articles to be read and videos.
Early Years Summit: This is an annual free event which host speakers from across the field of Early Years, namely authors and researches. There is usually a theme, such as interactions/literacy which the speakers focus on. You can pay for this CPD after the free period to keep access to the videos. I have found the speakers to be of high quality and interesting. At the end of this month (August 2020), Kathie Brodie the host is presenting an Early Years Wellbeing festival.
Fairy Dust Teaching: This company offered the ‘Play First Summit’ this year which was completely free. The speakers were based in America and included authors as well as teachers. There were some interesting perspectives on wellbeing during the COVID pandemic. It’s worth keeping an eye on their site for future free summits.
Open University: There are several free courses running
Early Years Team Work and Leadership
Environments in the Early Years
Children’s perspectives on Play
Karen Wilding Teaching Early Years Maths 3-5. This course is free and worth following on Facebook, I learnt a few tips. She also has paid for courses.
Montessori course: OpenLearning hosts both free and paid for Montessori courses.
Derby University: Features free short courses on Special Learning Needs, including Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD.
The Communication Trust: Free online training for speech, language and communication.
Early Childhood Trauma Online Learning
PACEY: EY smart are short, free CPD courses.
Seesaw Training: If you use Seesaw they offer free training. If you complete training you can become an ambassador for your school.
Early Years Matters Online Continual conference: There are a range of recorded talks, including wellbeing and enabling environments.
Siren training: Free videos created alongside Birth to 5 Matters, including the Characteristics of Effective learning and thinking critically in EYFS.
Speech and Language UK: Short, online course suitable across the Early Years, Primary and Secondary range.
East London Research School: Webinars with experts who develop understanding of the best practice for EYFS. Here is a link to Maths through Picture Books.
My free CPD
Here I offer slides with basic concepts of Early Years teaching and sources in which to further your study
Interactions in Early Years – Session 1
I shared the slides as well as printed record sheets from Anna Ephgrave’s training (these can be found in her Planning in the moment book). You could copy these and hand out, or add to the power point. We talked through these interactions.
Interactions in Early Years – Session 2
In this session I reviewed our previous session and discussed our own recorded interactions.
Wordless books: An overview and walkthough, can be found on my youtube page.
Podcasts
Although not strictly labelled as CPD, I have recently come across several podcasts which have expanded my thinking in Early Years and enlightened me on the different takes of Early Years professionals. So for this reason I count this as CPD. The most informative I have found so far include (and I access these on Spotify) are:
#TeamEarlyChildhood ~ focused discussions with leaders in the field. A fantastic presenter whereby it feels you are listening into a really interesting conversation!
#TheTeachersPodcast ~ there are some very interesting people interviewed on this show who are dedicated to education, within different spheres not only schools. This is not limited to Early Years.
#MuddyPuddleTeacher ~ although in its infacy, I absolutely love this presenter and her training. Her conversation shows she has a depth of knowledge and flows very well with whomever she interviews.
#FoundationStageForum ~ this has a wealth of episodes with influential teachers, speakers and trainers. Excellent presenting and very informative.
#CircleTimePodcast – warm, friendly host who is a long-term educator, interviews a range of experts in the early years.
Paid CPD
Muddy Puddle Teacher: This site offers paid for training as part of the package for use of the whole site (resources/blog, etc). This focuses on outdoor learning, natural art and Speech and Language courses.
ABC Does: Led by the brilliant author Alistar Bryce-Clegg there are free videos to watch in the areas of phonics and playfullness and paid PD. I am particularly interested in the sand and water play paid PD, which retails at 15 GBP plus VAT.
Early Years Staffroom: Although I do not have a subscription, I have looked through this site. It has planning and training from Greg Botrill, Trauma and Bereavement training, Hygge in Early Years and Neuroscience. The cost for an individual year membership is currently 48 GBP.
Educare: This is a paid for programme of CPD, which includes child protection, safeguarding and Early Years CPD. You can join the Early Years Alliance for free membership. Courses take the form of written material which is read and then quizzes at the end of each short module. Courses include Understanding Children’s Rights, Effective First Aid Management and The Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning.
The Early Years Alliance also works with Educare to provide even more courses for Early Years. These courses are included in membership with them. Such courses include: theories underpinning EYFS, managing behaviour, safeguarding, characteristics of effective teaching and learning and improving children’s learning through play.
Udemy.com has a range of paid courses, often made by teachers and experts in the field. There are often discounts and the courses can begin from 10 gbp.
Anna Ephgrave provides In the Moment Planning online, a one day zoom training. This was excellent, very thorough and fantastic for learning more about interactions in EYFS. She,advertises training here.
Greg Botrill provides online training for his Drawing Club and Play Club. I attended the drawing club training and found it very helpful and interesting. I can highly recommend it. It has been nice also as I am not part of a International teachers group all using Drawing Club, due to attending this course.
Elklan Speech and Language Accredited Course 3-5 year olds: A highly comprehensive course that I have attended, takes place online over several months and involves practicals. They also have the equivalent course for 0-3 and 5-8.
I also completed a Masters in Childhood Studies and Early Years, with an Early Years focus. I have written more about here.
New to International Teaching with Jess Gosling 