Explore our Beginner's Guides
Take a step further in your professional development
These guides have been designed to deliver a straightforward, consumable document to start necessary conversations about key topics and matters across the education sector. Whether you print a copy out to share in the staff room, or read and share it on your mobile phone, we urge you to consider their contents in your everyday practice and provision.
Ableism
Emily is an autistic Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) based in Manchester. She works in a specialist setting supporting autistic children and teenagers. Emily advocates and campaigns for Autism Acceptance through public speaking, training, and education in order to transform the way professionals assess and support autistic children and young people. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEAnti-Racism
Liz was the manager of a nursery, which was part of a small chain of 3 Early Years settings based in Birmingham. With children on roll who were predominantly of Black African-Caribbean heritage, Liz ensured that the nursery evolved into a community-based hub providing authentic and culturally compatible support for hundreds of children and families. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEDevelopmental Trauma
Author: Simmone Boyce
Simmone Boyce is a Child and Adolescent Counsellor at Football Beyond Borders (FBB) creating safe spaces for secondary school students to explore their inner and outer worlds. Simmone is passionate about creating access to safe spaces for children and young people, where their voices are heard and they feel seen. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDESafeguarding
Ann Marie helps schools, organisations, charities, churches and childcare settings in understanding their statutory duty and responsibility in keeping children safe. She has worked in partnership with colleagues in various settings and supports them in offering bespoke support via training and consultancy. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEDevelopmental Play
Carly is a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist who creates training for those working with, or desiring to work with children aged 0-5 and their families. She helps practitioners to learn how to provide developmental play opportunities in their therapy sessions, baby and toddler classes, and family led services, whilst empowering parents to bring more play home. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEEducator Wellbeing
Kate is an Early Years Educator, a best-selling author, and the founder of Early Years Wellbeing Week. She is dedicated to leading a new agenda to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the early years workforce. Going to work should be good for us, yet sadly we often find issues at work negatively influencing our wellbeing and posing a risk to our mental health. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDELGBTQ+ Inclusion
Diverse History UK support educators in amplifying marginalised histories so that education is more inclusive and representative, and existing misconceptions, stereotypes and prejudices are challenged through academia. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEFroebel
Author: Dr Stella Louis from The Froebel Trust
Friedrich Froebel (1782 – 1852) was the inventor of kindergartens and a pioneer of early childhood education and care. Froebel’s work and writing changed the way we think about and value early childhood. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEIntersectionality
Warda is a Social Entrepreneur, Speech and Language Therapist, lecturer and author. She set up Language Waves to address the barriers that Black and minoritized families face when accessing Speech and Language Therapy services. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEBelonging
Siya is an Educational and Child Psychologist, lecturer and workshop facilitator. Siya’s doctoral research was centred upon the way that Black secondary school pupils construct a sense of belonging, in predominantly White schools. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDESelf-Directed Neurodivergent Play
Author: Kerry Murphy
Kerry is an early childhood specialist with a background in neurodiversity and disability. She is a lecturer in early years and SEND at Goldsmiths University, an author and student completing her EdD at Sheffield University. Kerry’s aim in working in the early years is to challenge the deficit narrative around development differences. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDESupporting Children Learning English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Sejal is an independent education consultant and trainer, specialising in raising the achievement of children from Black and minoritised backgrounds, including those with English as an Additional Language. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEGypsy, Roma and Traveller Inclusion
Gemma Lees is a Romany Gypsy, disabled and neurodiverse fine artist, poet, actor, facilitator, journalist and theatre-maker from Bury, Lancashire. She is a core team member of Girl Gang Manchester and creator and facilitator of their monthly writer’s group, ‘Write Here, Right Now’. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEEstablishing Meaningful Relationships with Families
Jaziea is a dedicated children’s author, Early Years and Racial Trauma Educational Consultant, and Speech and Language Specialist Teacher committed to fostering a sense of belonging for all. Jaziea founded Courage to Climb, a company aimed at providing training and support for educators. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEGrowing Things in Educational Settings
Brought to you by Mimi and Ben Faulks, a.k.a. CBeebies Mr. Bloom and co-creator of ‘Mr. Bloom’s Nursery,’ Let’s Grow is an online educational resource for early years settings that offers deep play-based learning opportunities while aligning with the 7 Areas of Learning, Early Learning Goals and Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEIslam
Suma is an author, educator and freelance researcher based in Buckinghamshire, England. Her publications for adults focus on Muslim women’s experiences in relation to education and motherhood, while her children’s non-fiction books cover the subjects of faith, global citizenship and environmental responsibility. She was a school governor at two primary schools, a member of Bucks SACRE and has supported numerous local education initiatives. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDELinguistic Justice in Settings and Schools
Authors: Warda Farah and Dr Vishnu Nair
Warda is a Social Entrepreneur, Speech and Language Therapist, lecturer, consultant and author. She set up her company Language Waves to address the barriers that Black and minoritised families face when accessing Speech and Language Therapy services that are culturally and linguistically affirming.
Vishnu Nair, PhD is a Lecturer in the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences at Reading University. Prior to obtaining his doctorate, he practiced as a Speech-Language Therapist in India mainly in paediatric settings. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEThe Lunar New Year
besea.n (Britain’s East and South East Asian Network) are a community focused, volunteer-led organisation with a mission to empower, educate and embrace East and South East Asian people - and their allies! - in the UK.
Their advocacy spotlights ESEA experiences through their online platforms, research and community events - providing a safe space for sharing knowledge, creating joy and fostering connections. Their vision is one where our communities are seen and supported in all spaces. That’s why they have launched ESEA Heritage Month, celebrated every year in the month of September. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEFundamental Movement Skills
Dr. Leanne Jaye is a passionate educator, researcher, mentor, and mother of four children in their early years. She speacialises in childhood development and higher education. With a background in Sports Therapy and Strength & Conditioning, she has dedicated her career to improving children's developmental outcomes while equipping educators, parents, caregivers, and university students with the tools to support learning and growth. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEEmbedding Play in the Primary Curriculum
Author: Amber Ogunsanya-William
As an inclusion and play specialist, Amber is on a mission to drive positive behavior change and elevate performance through purpose-driven solutions. She firmly believes that play is a universal superpower—one that transcends boundaries and empowers individuals across diverse contexts.
Amber is also an NSPCC Champion of Childhood. Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDESupporting Children with ADHD in the EYFS
Author: Bright Future Training
Bright Future Training’s mission is to empower educators, families, and professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to create inclusive environments.
Their commitment is to foster a society that recognises and supports the unique strengths of every individual, ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to reach their full potential.Find out more...
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEChoking and Young Children
Sam has a passion for teaching first aid and previously worked for several training companies on a freelance basis. She trained delegates from a wide range of backgrounds, including blue chip companies like House of Fraser, Sainsbury’s and Starbucks, but also local Childminders and Nannies. Sam developed as a trainer and realised that this was so much more than just a “job”.
Sam has worked hard to spread the KeepaBeat message, and now delivers parent sessions and First Aid at work courses all over the UK. Find out more...
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