ELSA Early Years – September 2026

Early Years ELSA is a developmentally informed training programme designed to support emotional wellbeing in early years settings. Building on the established ELSA model, the course focuses on the importance of safe relationships, emotionally available adults, and play-based approaches in supporting young children’s emotional development.

The training equips practitioners with a clear understanding of emotional development from birth to five and helps them make sense of children’s behaviour as communication. Trained Early Years ELSAs will be able to plan, deliver and evaluate individual and group interventions to support the development of emotional literacy, using developmentally appropriate and relational approaches.

The programme emphasises reflective practice, partnership working with parents and carers, and clear professional boundaries, enabling practitioners to support children’s emotional needs confidently within their everyday role.

Early Years ELSA Training

Day 1: Emotional Development in the Early Years
Introduction to the ELSA role. Understanding how young children experience and express feelings.

Day 2: Attachment, Relationships and Emotional Security
Building safe, trusting relationships in early years settings.

Day 3: Emotional Literacy and Co-Regulation
Supporting children to recognise and manage feelings. Role of language in the development of emotional literacy.

Day 4: Understanding Behaviour and Supporting Self-Regulation
Seeing behaviour as communication. Managing strong emotions. Supporting neurodiverse children.

Day 5: Play, Anxiety and Emotional Expression
Using play and therapeutic stories to support emotional well–being.

Day 6: Planning, Delivering and Evaluating Emotional Literacy Interventions
Individual and group support within the Early Years ELSA role.

Cost – £1050 (+VAT) per delegate.

We accept all major credit and debit cards when you book online, other payment options are available. Please do get in touch with us.