Early Years Hub

Training

Whilst we still offer some face-to-face training at the Early Years Hub this popular model of online blended training has proved to be extremely well received. Both new and existing customers tell us that they appreciate the flexibility of learning in a way that is both time and cost effective. Engagement with safeguarding and child protection experts who are experienced and knowledgeable enables learners to contextualise their own practices and ask questions that are relevant to their levels of understanding and personal experiences.

Designated Safeguarding Lead Masterclass

This popular blended learning course combines online elements with an hour live session facilitated by Rachel Buckler. The masterclass offers 5 modules that consider the role of the designated safeguarding lead, and how leads identify, help and support, protect and manage in order to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities.

This interactive course offers:

  • Masterclass Presentations
  • Downloadable Resources
  • Film Clips
  • Certification on Completion of the Course
  • 6 Hours of CPD Training
  • An hour long, live safeguarding conversation with the trainer
Screenshot of the Designated Safeguarding Lead Masterclass training course
DSL Masterclass Testimonials

After partaking in numerous safeguarding training courses over many years of working within childcare, we were a little apprehensive of how this will be enabled effectively with the current COVID restrictions. However, our worries were put at bay as Rachel succeeded in providing an informative and interesting course! The platform used to participate in the online training was easy to access and included quizzes which we found very useful in testing our knowledge following digesting the in-depth and current handbook provided. Following this, we were given a link to access an online zoom session with Rachel, giving us opportunities to discuss the course content and extend our knowledge further by asking questions. Overall, we thought the course was of an excellent standard and feel confident as Early Years providers that we would ultimately be able to keep children safe! Big thank-you to Rachel for the time and effort involved in creating such a brilliant course.

Paige Durham, Childminder

I found the training excellent. The detail and content in each of the modules was informative and provided an excellent refresher for our large nursery team. I especially liked the linked videos that were in each module. The online working was much more effective than the group delivery because I was able to run this at my own speed and consider my own knowledge level also. I was able to focus on my own learning and take into account my current knowledge, understanding, experience and its relevance to my role.

I thought the live Zoom session was excellent. The updates and statistical, ‘real picture’ you gave us put all the training into our current context and I found that invaluable. It was a great balance to have with the online, self-paced aspect as we were able to ask questions and pull it altogether.

As much as I miss group training, I do think this way was much more effective for this higher level course and would definitely opt for this model again.

Thank you again for all your input and for developing a great course!

Rebecca McGrath, Director, Forrest House Nurseries

Highly recommended and suitable for all learning styles. Incorporates all areas of safeguarding children. Rachel certainly knows her stuff! 🙂

Sharon Makin, Owner, Clever Clowns Nursery

I did the Designated Lead via Early Years Hub and I’ve got to say it was so good. I fitted it around what I was doing during the week. The film presentations, workbook and scenarios were great and the hour with Rachel online was very informative and relaxed. I would really recommend this format which covers everything you need to know. Thankyou.

Chris Morecroft, KidsRock

I wanted to email to say thank you for the Designated Lead course I completed on Tuesday with the live session. I found the course so interesting and the booklet invaluable.

Claire Albiston, Manager, Greenhill Pre-School, Bury

So glad we did Rachel’s Designated Safeguarding Lead Masterclass as it made such a difference with how I answered the inspectors’ questions when we were registered recently with Ofsted

Sam Limb, Owner , Parish Pre-School, Nottinghamshire

“The best safeguarding training I’ve ever done! Rachel was extremely knowledgeable”.

“The training was presented well with lots of relevant information”.

“Great training. Gave me the up-to-date legislation, refreshed my knowledge, and gave me the confidence to keep protecting the children in my care”.

“Fantastic trainer with a wealth of knowledge with an understanding of the issues we face”.

Feedback from a face to face training session facilitated by a local authority in Greater Manchester.

I have worked with Rachel for over 15 years now. She has provided informative Safeguarding training for the staff at my nurseries, and this has always been delivered to a very high standard. There are a lot of companies online delivering training, but I have to say Rachel is the best!

Rachel also provides DSL training to all my management team, and it is always up to date with all the necessary guidance – giving us the reassurance that we need as DSLs in an early years setting. This is a blended course which you can complete when time allows, with a planned zoom meeting at the end. It is always very interesting, and we really enjoy sharing our thoughts and good practice.

Rachel is always on hand to answer any questions and offer support.

I would never go anywhere else for safeguarding training!

Vickie Kaye, Senior Manager, Little Holcombe and Tower View Nursery, Bury
Safeguarding Children Level 2

For those who need to take their safeguarding training on to the next level but are finding it hard to source training and advice during the ongoing pandemic – don’t panic! We have now released a new blended learning Safeguarding Children Level 2 course, with the same mixture of online self-guided learning and live support from Rachel as featured in the DSL Masterclass. This course offers 5 modules that considers the Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities, and how to identify, help and support, protect and report in order to manage safeguarding issues.

This interactive course offers:

  • Safeguarding Presentations
  • Downloadable Resources
  • Film Clips
  • Certification on Completion of the Course
  • An hour long, live safeguarding conversation with the trainer
Generic image of childminder with a group of children

Both online courses can be offered to individuals via the training website or can be done as a group with an in-house option available on request – get in touch to enquire about this.

Training Testimonials

Rachel has been delivering our safeguarding training for a number of years now, and we are really pleased with how every course has been delivered.  She is incredibly knowledgeable and entirely up to date with the latest research and issues, and combines this with being an approachable and really likeable person with a great presenting style.  Our team have always been really positive in their feedback after attending courses run by Rachel.  She has been able to tailor the courses so that they are specific to us which adds real value.  We would recommend her without hesitation.

Joanne Kinloch, Director, Mulberry Bush Nursery Group

At Kids Allowed we have used Early Years Hub to deliver our safeguarding training and Designated Professional training for the past few years and have always found the courses quick paced, highly interactive and very informative. Inevitably the courses have contained upsetting content, due to the nature of safeguarding children, but this has been introduced and delivered sensitively to the needs of the team. The courses have been easy to organise and have always worked around the needs of the business.

James Crosswell, Managing Director of Childcare, Kids Allowed

Rachel’s work as both trainer and facilitator is outstanding. Her attention to detail and ability to draw on substantial safeguarding, child-centred and multi-agency experience across all sectors allows for well-informed and nuanced delivery, which enriches the learner experience considerably. Participant satisfaction in her sessions has been unanimously favourable. I would have no hesitation in commissioning her again or recommending her as a high quality deliverer of up-to-date and well-informed safeguarding, child-centred and multi-agency practice training and development.

Ian Currie, Senior Lecturer and Early Years Pathway Leader, Edge Hill University

Consultancy

Rachel and colleagues provide a wealth of experience to support all areas of early years policy and practice. Colleagues with previous inspector experience for both Ofsted and the Care Inspectorate offer their advice and support on a whole range of topics. Consultants have delivered on a wide range of areas including:

  • Inspection audits – Support for early years inspections in England (Ofsted) and Scotland (Care Inspectorate)
  • Writing and creating specifications for procurement of early years provision for a large corporate organisation
  • Due diligence activities that support the acquisition of nurseries and early years provision
Inspection Audit Testimonials

Rachel came into our out of school club setting and carried out an ‘inspection audit.’ Rachel was detailed and through during her visit-she followed the inspection handbook and covered all aspects required. We were given a fully comprehensive report several days later, again following the Ofsted requirements. The report highlighted areas of strength and identified actions that needed to be addressed. The whole process was conducted professionally and fully prepared us for our imminent Ofsted inspection. For any setting due an inspection I would highly recommend the services provided by Rachel and her team.

Kelly Macadam, Headteacher, Woodbank Primary School

Early Years Hub carried out a quality audit across our five nurseries. When preparing for the audit Rachel listened and took onboard our requests and specific areas we would like the audit to focus on. Rachel kept in contact with us throughout the process until the audits were complete and reports received. Our auditor Hilary came across as professional, experienced and knowledgeable throughout the process as she spent time within the nursery with our children, staff and our management team. Hilary provided detailed verbal feedback in each of our nurseries as well as a written report highlighting our strengths as well as areas for continued development which also considered Care Inspectorate requirements and current Scottish documents and guidelines for i.e. Curriculum for Excellence and How Good is our Early Learning and Childcare. Our nurseries and the company as a whole have benefited from the quality audit and I would highly recommend using Early Years Hub for an inspection/quality visit.

Lisa McGarry, Operations and Training Manager, Enchanted Forrest Nurseries, Scotland
Due Diligence Testimonials

Early Years Hub provided Apiary Capital with early years due diligence for our investment in Bertram Nursery Group (“Bertram”). Knowledge and experience of the early years curriculum and framework covering both England and Scotland were important elements of the due diligence exercise. The Early Years Hub team’s work focused on auditing the quality of Bertram’s early years provision, as well as assessing leadership and management practice within the business. I can recommend the Early Years Hub to others who are engaging in due diligence processes that support potential investment into the childcare sector.

Jeniv Shah, Investment Director, Apiary Capital

Having worked directly with Rachel for a number of years, I can say it has always been a pleasure. Rachel’s knowledge, expertise and delivery style has been a huge support to us along parts of our own company journey to excellence. In addition, Rachel has also produced some important quality due diligence reports, which were fundamental to our decision to move ahead with the acquisition.

Cary Rankin – Managing Director, Bertram Nursery Group