EYFS Trauma-Informed Practice & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Training
EYFS Trauma-Informed Practice & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Training Overview
Neurobiology of Trauma & ACES: Exploring the original Adverse Childhood Experiences studies, nervous system survival architecture, and the critical distinction between developmental trauma and neurodivergent profiles.
Somatic Co-Regulation & Trauma-Informed Boundaries: Replacing punitive isolation tactics with connection-first boundaries, the PACE model, and practitioner co-regulation to support children during high-stress moments and transitions.
Sensory Environments, Healing Play & Secondary Stress: Designing trauma-informed spaces, leveraging open-ended play for emotional expression, and establishing team debrief systems to prevent vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.
Investment:
On-site: £750 full day or £450 half day.
Remote: £680 or £340 half day.
(If booking multiple training workshops, save using our Annual Plan)
Why EYFS Trauma- Informed & ACEs Training is Essential
When young children experience trauma or high levels of adversity, their brains adapt to prioritise immediate survival over early learning and exploration. Expecting a traumatised child to respond to traditional behaviour management strategies such as sticker charts, time-outs, or stern reprimands often triggers further dysregulation, panic, and shame. This masterclass transforms practice by grounding educators in the neurobiology of stress, developmental trauma, and Adverse Childhood Experiences. By shifting the paradigm from "what is wrong with this child?" to "what has happened to this child?", practitioners learn to build relational safety, implement connection-first boundaries, and harness the healing power of co-regulation to rewire developing brains for resilience.
Core Training Modules
- ACEs & Neurobiology
- Trauma-Informed Boundaries
- Sensory & Play Healing
- Secondary Trauma & Care
EYFS Trauma-Informed & Adverse Childhood Experiences CPD Course Breakdown
This masterclass offers a comprehensive, multi-layered journey into trauma-informed practice, guiding educators from foundational science to practical classroom integration and team well-being. The initial modules examine the 10 core forms of Adverse Childhood Experiences, the survival architecture of the developing brain, and the diverse ways trauma presents in early years settings, including subtle freeze and fawn responses. Staff gain critical insights into differentiating developmental trauma from conditions like ADHD and Autism, ensuring children receive accurate, empathetic support rather than inappropriate behavioural labels.
Building on these foundations, the curriculum focuses on environmental design, relational strategies, and holistic setting culture. Participants master practical de-escalation protocols, the PACE framework (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy), and smooth transition strategies that reduce panic. The course details how to audit classroom environments for sensory triggers, harness creative play for non-verbal emotional processing, and forge non-judgmental partnerships with families. Finally, the training addresses secondary traumatic stress, equipping teams with professional boundary-setting tools, peer debrief protocols, and a hope-informed approach centered on Positive Childhood Experiences.
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