Level of qualification

In line with the DfE’s published Early Years Level 3 SENCO Qualification Specification, this training is for Level 3 practitioners working in group provision or as a childminder. Those qualified below Level 3 or holding a qualification that is not full and relevant for the purposes of meeting the Level 3 ratio requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, are not eligible to access the training offer. This approach is to ensure parity between the existing minimum qualification level of trainees and the level of SENCO qualification which they will be awarded.  

Eligible setting types

Within the funding available for this training project, priority has been given to settings where there is the greatest need to increase the number of qualified SENCOs. Training is available to staff identified as a SENCO working in group provision or as a childminder, as required by section 3.68 of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Staff in other settings mentioned in this section of the EYFS (maintained schools and maintained nursery schools, which are covered by other statutory and legal requirements concerning SENCO provision), and other forms of early years care that is not delivering the EYFS are not eligible to access this training offer.

Transferring from another training course

Funding for this contract is provided on the basis that extra Level 3 EY SENCO training places will be offered to EY SENCOs working in group provision or as a childminder. Training places offered under this contract must be in addition to training places that are already available in the market. Training applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis but individuals who are already enrolled or undertaking training with another training provider may have their application turned down.

At this time, only one eligible person per setting will be offered a training place.

No. This DfE funded project will provide training for SENCOs (or aspiring SENCOS with employer approval) working in private, voluntary and independent settings and in childminder settings.

Yes. The Early Years Level 3 SENCO qualification specification states; The early years SENCO qualification is for a Level 3 practitioner. The DfE, with input from key EY sector stakeholders, compiled two documents (“Early years level 3 SENCO qualification specification” and “Role description of the early years special educational needs coordinator”) which are available on gov.uk.

Yes. You must be an employee of a setting or a serving childminder. The primary objective for this DfE funded project is to increase the number of Level 3 qualified SENCOs, available to children in group-based settings and childminder settings, who have the knowledge and skills to properly fulfil the role of a SENCO described in the code of practice and in the role description.

It depends. As a part of the DfE Education Recovery Package, Best Practice Network has been allocated 5000 funded places over a two year period. These places will be prioritised in line with the DfE’s identification of local authority areas and types of settings with the greatest need and impact of the Covid pandemic. If your setting falls within the area or type of criteria for prioritisation, it is extremely likely that you will be offered a place on our programme. If you are not, there is still a very good chance that you will be offered a place, particularly if you apply before January 2023, however, you may need to be placed on a waiting list or allocated a later starting date.

BPN are required to deliver certain percentages of training to individual government regions identified by the DfE where data indicates the need is greatest need. In addition, we will prioritise training places to settings that meet one or more of these criteria:

• Provide to at least one child with an Education and Health Care Plan or Disability Access Fund indicator.
• Provide to at least one child in receipt of Early Years Pupil Premium.
• Provide to at least one disadvantaged two-year-old.

Yes. Our programme is flexible to enable part-time employees to complete the programme over an extended period. All scheduled training days will follow the standard 4-month programme cycle. However, part-time employees will have up to six months, if required, to complete the online modules and assessment via the eportfolio.

As stated by the DfE, training must result in an accredited Level 3 EY SENCO qualification. Best Practice Network is approved by NCFE to deliver the Level 3 Award for SENCOs in Early Years Settings. 

We will offer a range of training sessions to meet the needs of practitioners and their settings. At the point of application candidates will be able to select a training preference (morning, afternoon, evening or Saturday AM). We will endeavour to ensure that candidates are put into training groups according to their preference, however, this cannot be guaranteed. The group will then run at the same time each month.

The Level 3 Early Years SENCO qualification is delivered over 4 months through four Online Taught Sessions and Online Study Units. Each of the 4 Online Taught Sessions are 3 hours long and consist of live tutor-led training, incorporating pre-reading tasks, breakout room activities, group discussion and group training. All learners will have access to our Virtual Learning Environment where they will access the online units.

The EY SENCO qualification specification is clear that the number of Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is 24 and the Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 34, although clearly some individual learners may take more or less hours in terms of TQT. The Guided Learning Hours on our programme equate to 12 hours of taught sessions (4 x 3 hours) and an expectation of a minimum of 12 hours online study.

Total Qualification time will include induction to the programme, initial needs analysis, 2 x 45 minute calls with a mentor, and assessment activity.

The programme is manager by our Programme Leader. Each group will be supported by two tutors. Individuals will also have a mentor and assessor who will provide 1-2-1 support and guidance throughout the programme.

BPN has a large team who will offer support for all aspects of the programme from application to completion. We have a dedicated helpdesk and IT support team who will assist with any technical issues individuals might face.

There are two main types of learning outcome:

• Skills that can be performed
• Knowledge that can be learnt

You will be assessed through an e-portfolio of evidence against these 26 Assessment Criteria. Throughout the course you will upload documents from your work and study, along with an explanation of why you believe the document(s) demonstrate how the assessment criteria is met. Once all 26 criteria have been demonstrated, you will be awarded the qualification (subject to moderation).