Progressive Provision: Developing sequential learning opportunities in EY

Practitioners will explore how children’s learning develops progressively over time through provision that is thoughtfully planned, flexible, and responsive to emerging needs- ensuring it is fully attuned to support every child to have the best start in life.

This engaging two-day training focuses on how to design progressive provision that supports deep, sustained learning across the Early Years Foundation Stage, allowing practitioners to reflect on their current continuous provision offer, when to offer enhancements and how they might facilitate children’s natural fascinations and curiosity.

Participants will develop a clear understanding of how children learn sequentially, recognising the small but significant steps that underpin development. Through practical examples and collaborative activities, the training will explore how to create rich, responsive environments that offer appropriate challenge, promote independence, and enable children to revisit and deepen their learning over time.

The course places a strong emphasis on bridging the gap between assessment, interaction, and provision—ensuring that observations meaningfully inform what is offered to children. Practitioners will examine how to embed progression across all areas of learning, use enhancements with clear intent, and plan sequences that move beyond isolated activities to create meaningful learning journeys.

With a strong focus on current, evidence-based practice, this training supports teams to reflect on their own provision and ‘have a clear and ambitious vision for giving children the best start to their education’ (Ofsted Leadership of early years). Consideration will be given to ensuring equitable access and inclusive practice for all children, recognising and valuing diversity. This includes proactively meeting the individual needs of children with SEND, those with English as an Additional Language (EAL), high attainers, and all learners, so that every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

By the end of the programme, delegates will feel confident in making effective choices regarding progressive provision and the sequential learning opportunities they provide, tailored to the children's context, age and starting points. (Ofsted: Teaching).

• Thursday 14 January 2027
• Thursday 11 March 2027

Audience: All early years practitioners, childminders, managers, teachers, teaching assistants, year 1 teachers, senior leaders.

For more information please contact: EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk

Cost: 2 Tokens or Pay as you go price on request from EarlyYearsBusinessSupport@sheffield.gov.uk

This training is delivered in partnership with Learn Sheffield.

We will send out the joining instructions for the session at least 24 hours in advance. If you cannot find the email, please check your junk folder before contacting us.