The Dingley's Promise Early Years Inclusion Project is a 5-year project supported by Comic Relief.
The project aims to increase the number of young children with SEND accessing early years and childcare places. It focuses on strengthening inclusive practice through:
- partnership with local authorities
- meaningful parental engagement
- a national steering group
- a comprehensive and extensive training offer across the country
The project will run from July 2021 to June 2026. During this time, 10 online courses are available to all early years providers including childminders, schools, parents, family hubs, and health colleagues.
Although the courses are designed with practitioners in mind, they are open to anyone working in or alongside early years provision, including parents who wish to take part.
The courses are not assessed or accredited. However, participants receive a certificate of completion for each course and a final certificate once the full programme is completed.
Current courses
The courses currently available include:
- Introduction to Early Years Inclusive Practice
- Early Years SEND Transition
- Behaviours That Challenge
- Having Difficult Conversations With Families
- The Voice of the Child
- Intersections Within Early Years Practice
- Leadership and Management for Inclusion
- An Inclusive Approach to Early Years Curriculum and Assessment
- Supporting Communication Development for Early Years Children with SEND
- Creating Inclusive Environments
Gaining the Dingley's Promise 'Mark of Achievement'
Early years providers can now work towards the Dingley's Promise ‘Mark of Achievement’ for inclusion friendly settings. To achieve this recognition, practitioners must complete a set number of courses within the inclusion programme.
Full details about the requirements and the process for claiming the Mark of Achievement can be found on the Dingley's Promise website.