Early Years SEND Training and Learning Materials - Phase 1

The Department for Education is procuring an online training package with learning materials for early years practitioners on Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) for children aged 0-4. The training will be available from September 2026 for 12 months, with potential quarterly extensions for up to an additional 12 months. The package must include a minimum of 20 hours of online, modular, self-paced content delivered via videos and/or webinars. It should be accessible to all early years practitioners regardless of qualification level or setting type (private, voluntary and independent providers, school-based nurseries, childminders, etc.) and meet government accessibility standards. Content must cover inclusive practice, embedding inclusive methods within settings, and guidance on engaging with parents of children with SEND, going beyond the current Early Years Child Development Training module 8. A combination of existing and newly developed content is acceptable provided mobilisation and outcomes requirements are met. This procurement is part of a £200 million government investment in SEND teacher training announced in January 2026. A separate, more extensive Phase 2 training package is being developed for autumn 2027 and is out of scope for this procurement. The Tender Notice and Invitation to Tender will be published on 26 May, with applications closing on 12 June at 17:00.