The government’s early years education recovery programme has provided more than 52,000 training opportunities to practitioners, according to the latest figures.

The early years education recovery programme is a package of workforce training, qualifications, support and guidance to address the impact of the pandemic on the youngest and most disadvantaged children.

Settings and practitioners can register for multiple strands of the programme, which includes the Stronger Practice Hub networks, early years child development training and the experts and mentors programme.

According to the latest figures:

• 49,234 practitioners registered for early years child development training between June 2022 and June 2024
• As of June 2024, 2,487 group-based settings and 2,355 school-based settings were part of a Stronger Practice Hub network.
• As of June 2024, 3,937 settings have a qualified special educational needs and disabilities co-ordinator (SENCO) through the Level 3 SENCO training programme
• 2,508 group-based settings and 578 school-based settings have had support through the experts and mentors programme

Coram Hempsall’s acted as training partner for the expert and mentor programme (December 2021 to June 2024) and was training and delivery partner for the childminder mentor scheme until 31 August 2024. Kate Haythornthwaite, programme director, said: “The training made a great difference to participants and their early years practice. While the aim and purpose of the programme was to support early years settings and childminders to address the impact of Covid-19 on children’s learning and development, the area leads, experts and mentors were also on a journey of learning and discovery supporting their continuing professional development, in areas such as coaching and leadership.”

She added: “Experts and mentors were very enthusiastic about the programme and welcomed the opportunities to share their knowledge and support with early years settings. They were able to provide objective advice and guidance using the skills learned in the training. Anecdotally, area leads experts and mentors reported that settings and childminders welcomed the peer support and the opportunity to receive the mentoring.”