interactive sessions that inspire your staff team to excel as early years practitioners

We are passionate about the value of continuous professional development and pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of best practice in the Early Years. Our consultant trainers not only deliver the most up-to-date training and education, but Hopscotch is involved at a governmental level to help shape the conversation around the sector.

We offer off-the-peg training courses at various locations around the UK each year, giving practitioners the opportunity to learn the latest and greatest advances in the industry and to disseminate best practice back to their peers and colleagues. We also provide certified, accredited courses in key areas.

Or perhaps you'd like a bespoke training day written and delivered at your setting, focused on precisely the areas your staff team need. Hopscotch's interactive, collaborative training courses will ensure you get maximum benefit from the day.

Our annual Nursery Managers' Conference is the highlight of the training calendar! Held over two days at a luxury spa hotel and conference centre, it's an incredible opportunity for managers and nursery leaders to learn from the best with our masterclass series on the most current and pressing issues in the Early Years. With plenty of opportunity to share best practice, network with like-minded professionals and even enjoy a little pampering, it's Hopscotch's chance to offer the very best of what we do and celebrate our shared passion for making lives better for little people.

Safeguarding is the foundation of high-quality childcare and the baseline assessment within the inspection framework. Our safeguarding training is delivered by experienced and certified trainers.  With our expert and engaging training your team will understand how to identify vulnerability and what timely action they should take. Some of the topics covered are:

• Safeguarding legislation and guidance
• Roles and responsibilities
• Abuse and neglect
• Identifying concerns and disclosure
• Making judgements
• Reporting safeguarding concerns

We can also provide bespoke safeguarding training to support your nursery development plan.

Promoting and supporting the mental health of your team and children is a key requirement for being an outstanding provider. Our mental health first aid training is delivered by experienced and certified trainers.  Our engaging training provides insight into understanding and supporting mental health wellbeing and developing a positive mental health culture across your nursery community.

Some of the topics covered are:
 

• What is First Aid for Mental Health?
• Identifying mental health conditions
• Providing advice and starting a conversation
• Drugs and alcohol
• First Aid for Mental Health action plan
• First Aid for Mental Health in the workplace

As nursery managers and operators, we wear many different hats. However, understanding the difference between being a manager and being a leader is key to truly operating at the highest level at the helm of your setting. Our innovative and interactive training has the following aims:

• Considering the basics: our role as managers and leaders, and the difference between the two
• Understanding our own leadership style and how this affects how we carry out the role
• Reflecting on our own skills and values and how these impact upon our own success as leaders
• Looking at how our leadership and management is inspected under the Early Years Inspection Framework
• Mastering the key leadership and management tasks that enable our success

At the conclusion of our masterclass, you will have a greater understanding of how you can leverage your skills and personality to create and achieve goals for yourself, your setting and your team.

Delivering outstanding childcare relies on your team working together well. Team dynamics can work for or against the effectiveness of your team. With a DISC behaviour assessment, your team will understand the dynamics of the relationships between themselves and colleagues. With understanding your team can maximise their strengths and support professional development, including acumen, behaviour, motivators, competencies, and emotional intelligence. Each delegate receives a detailed report across the 4 behaviour aspects:

• Dominance
• Influence
• Steadiness
• Compliance

Following this assessment, Hopscotch can work with your leadership team to most effectively deploy your staff, build the best possible combination of team members and build a supportive professional network of relationships in your setting.