Best Practice Network (BPN) has been awarded a contract from the Department for Education (DfE) contract to deliver accredited early years special educational needs coordinator (EY Senco) training to settings across England from 2026.
The programme will train a minimum of 9,500 EY Sencos, supporting the early years workforce to identify and meet the needs of children with SEND in line with the SEND Code of Practice: 0–25 years.
The contract forms a central part of the Government’s Best Start in Life Mission, aimed at breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving early identification and support for children with SEND.
Training will result in an accredited Level 3 EY Senco qualification, available to Sencos working in group‑based private, voluntary and independent (PVI) settings and childminders.
The contract follows BPN’s successful delivery of thousands of DfE‑funded EY Senco places between 2022 and 2026, with BPN appointed as the sole provider for the third phase.
The training leads to a Level 3 Early Years Senco qualification and applications are now open for the first 2026 cohort.
Supporting growing demand
Findings from the Department for Education’s December 2025 Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers show a sustained rise in the number of children identified with SEND since 2019.
The survey reported that 84% of school-based providers, 90% of group-based providers, and 23% of childminders now support at least one child with SEND.
Independent evaluation of BPN’s previous EY Senco programme demonstrated strong, evidence‑informed impact, with almost all participants reporting increased confidence in supporting children with SEND.
Olivia Bailey, early education minister, said: “Early years staff are vital to delivering high-quality support for children and making sure every child, especially those with additional needs, gets the best start in life.
“Best Practice Network has a strong track record of delivery, and this next phase will help us reach more settings across the country – particularly in the communities that need it most – so every child can get on and succeed.”
Building national impact
Sian Marsh, Director of Early Years & Education at Best Practice Network, said: “What matters most in this work is impact: impact on practitioner confidence, on the quality of SEND practice, and most importantly on children’s outcomes.
“The evidence from our previous programmes demonstrates the transformational difference this training makes in early years settings.
“This new contract enables us to build on that impact at national scale ensuring thousands more Sencos, especially in the most disadvantaged areas, gain the knowledge and skills they need to identify needs early, collaborate effectively with families and professionals, and secure the best possible start in life for every child.”
Training is open to practitioners currently working as an EY Senco or those due to take up the role. Applicants based in group‑based private, voluntary or independent (PVI) settings must hold a full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification.
Childminders must hold either a full and relevant Level 3 qualification, or a Level 2 early years qualification with at least one completed Level 3 module and significant experience working in early years.
The programme includes facilitated online training, mentoring, independent study, and collaborative professional learning, enabling participants to build a high‑quality e‑portfolio ahead of final assessment.
Further information about the programme can be found here.
