The government’s Best Start in Life strategy provides a pathway to ensuring more children are thriving from 0-5 and that parents can access the right support at the right time, without having to navigate fragmented or disconnected systems.
But we also know that these reforms and the introduction of a new Good Level of Development target put increased pressure on already stretched local authorities to make the right decisions that create clear and demonstrable improvements in outcomes.
We also understand every local authority has its own distinct set of priorities based on the needs of its local population.
Here's how we can help...
Making it REAL
NCB’s most delivered training programme, Making it REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) was highlighted as an example of best practice in the government’s Best Start in Life strategy.
This award-winning evidence-informed programme supports practitioners to build parents’ knowledge and confidence so that they can help their children with communication and language and early literacy development by creating a positive early home learning environment.
A typical course cost is shown below but this may change depending on the size of the group or any additional requirements you have.
Finding out about Making it REAL (1 day): £2,900 + VAT delivered face to face
Putting Making it REAL into Practice (2 days): £3,900 + VAT delivered face to face.
To discuss these training offers or to book, please contact [email protected]
Find out more about Making it REAL
A REAL approach to Maths
Applying the same principles of supporting early development as Making it REAL, we researched and created a new programme of support for parents to help progress children’s learning and development in maths.
Through a range of engaging activities and materials, A REAL approach to Maths helps practitioners to show parents the benefits of using the Opportunities, Recognition, Interaction, Model (ORIM) framework to support their child’s early mathematical development at home.
We offer one day training to groups of up to 20 participants, facilitated by one of NCB’s expert early years associate trainers.
Cost: £2,500 + VAT for 20 participants, delivered face-to-face.
Please contact us for information about live online options at [email protected]
Explore more on A REAL approach to Maths
Sharing REAL with Parents
Sharing REAL with Parents is a series of four two-hour workshops suitable for parents interested in learning more about their own children’s early literacy development, finding out about REAL, supporting a local project or getting involved as a volunteer.
Through discussions and practical activities, parents will gain ideas about how to support young children with books, early writing, songs and rhymes and how to make use of all the print around them in their home, in the street, and in the shops.
Cost: Packages tailored to individual needs, please contact [email protected] to discuss options.
Find out more about Sharing REAL with Parents
Your Baby and You
Using learning from Making it REAL, Your Baby and You is a programme that uses the ORIM framework and was first delivered by former NCB family member the Lambeth Early Action Partnership (LEAP), reaching over 100 families in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Lewisham.
Over four two-hour weekly workshops, parents with babies aged up to a year old learn activities with their babies based on the four strands of early literacy: communication and language; songs, rhymes and music; storytelling and books; and early mark-making.
NCB early years specialists deliver Your Baby and You directly to families in local areas (typically in Children Centres, Family Hubs or other similar venues). We can also train early years professionals to deliver Your Baby and You in their own local areas.
Cost: Please get in touch at [email protected] to discuss delivery of Your Baby and You in your area.
Find out more about Your Baby and You
Natural Thinkers
Delivered by LEAP for 10 years, Natural Thinkers is now available to all early years practitioners in England.
The programme has a proven record helping children connect to nature, which helps improve wellbeing, academic achievement, attendance and self-regulation.
Our training is delivered face-to-face, with theory, practical demonstrations and participation in accessible activities that enable settings to make the most of outdoor space, however small it may be!
A typical course cost is shown below but this may change depending on the size of the group or any additional requirements you have.
Natural Thinkers one-day course: £2,400 delivered face to face (if training takes place in London we are able to provide a reduced cost of £2,200) plus VAT
Natural Thinkers PSED half-day course: £795 delivered online
Cost for the accreditation process varies depending on the number of settings or schools being accredited in a local area. Please get in touch for your tailored accreditation cost.
To discuss these training offers or to book, please contact [email protected]
Our experienced and skilled early years team has developed these professional development opportunities for local authorities and early education and childcare providers and professionals.
First established almost 40 years ago, our Early Childhood Unit (ECU) has worked with more than 80 local authorities and alongside our off-the-shelf training programmes, offers bespoke support packages. These can include initial planning and needs assessment, engagement, training and follow-up to identify successes and challenges.
All our training can be adapted and tailored to suit local and individual needs.