Training and Support for EY Practitioners

We provide FREE termly training, both in-person and online about nutrition, physical activity, emotional well-being and oral health. Find out more about courses we offer below.

Childcare settings are vital in providing a healthy start for young children. This training, grounded in the evidence-informed HENRY approach, equips your staff and volunteers with practical skills to support children's health.

Both courses are designed to help you meet the healthy eating and oral health requirements for the EYFS and the new Ofsted requirements and are relevant topics to support the Government Mayor's Healthy Early Years London (HEYL) Award.

Healthy Start in Childcare Training

Key Topics Covered:

The course focuses on supporting children (0 to 5) and their families in a strengths-based, partnership-focused way:

Healthy Eating: Practical ideas for meals, snacks, and portion sizes in childcare settings.
Physical Activity: Understanding the value of active play and new ways to encourage movement.

Emotional Well-being: Tools to help manage behaviour and promote a child's emotional health.
Parental Support: Learning a partnership model to build parental confidence and resilience in relation to healthy lifestyles.

Who Should Attend?

This training is suitable for Management, Daycare staff, Childminders, Cooks & Chefs, After-school Club staff and Students from early years settings. Staff who work in settings in Waltham Forest such as Nurseries, Community under five playgroups, staff from holiday clubs, and wrap around carers e.g. after-school, and breakfast clubs.

Format:

This course is a one-day session or three short online sessions, ideal for staff and volunteers working with children aged 0 to 5 in Early Years Settings.

Oral Health Training

Oral Health Training Flyer: Oral Health Training poster.

Championing Oral Health in the Early Years

What you will achieve:

Understand Primary Teeth's Value: You will gain a clear understanding of the crucial role primary teeth play in a child's development and be able to confidently deliver clear support on effective oral hygiene routines.
Preventing Childhood Tooth Decay: Deepen your knowledge of the multifactorial causes of tooth decay and acquire proven strategies to prevent this common childhood disease.

Supporting School Recognition: This training is delivered in conjunction with the Healthy Schools London programme. The knowledge gained can be directly used to support your school's application for the Silver and Gold Awards.

Who should attend:

This training is suitable for staff and volunteers working with families under the age of five.

Childcare settings - Management, Daycare staff, Childminders
Health Professionals working with families of children under five
Community and Wrap Around care - Community under five playgroups, staff from holiday clubs

Flexible Training Formats

Individual Registration: Book your place on one of our scheduled 2.5-hour online sessions
Whole-Setting Training: We can arrange a dedicated, bespoke session for your entire staff team, perfect for in-service training or staff training days.

Book a place and view training dates

To request a place on any of our upcoming training courses, please complete the Practitioner Training Registration Form.

To find out more about our HENRY training, or to have a chat about bespoke training for your staff, get in touch with the Healthy Families team:

Telephone: 020 8496 5223
Email: wfhealthyfamilies@henry.org.uk

Website: https://www.henry.org.uk/waltham-forest/for-professionals

Last update: Monday 19th of January 2026 12:53:59 PM