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Essential Pathway

 Complete nursery training essentials — simple, flexible and affordable. 

 The Essential Pathway is designed for nurseries that want accessible mandatory training, professional development and ongoing learning support without the complexity. 

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Everything You Need to Get Started

Mandatory Training Access

Access all mandatory training courses excluding First Aid.

INCLUDED

Essential Course Catalog

Access all essential training and development courses.

INCLUDED

Knowledge Checks and Quizzes

Built-in quizzes to reinforce understanding and learning.

INCLUDED

Monthly Webinars

Live webinars and ongoing team development sessions.

INCLUDED

Certification included

Certificates automatically issued on course completion.

INCLUDED

Parent support access

Free access to the Stages 4 Ages parent support portal.

INCLUDED

Why Choose Essential Pathway?

✔ Affordable monthly pricing
✔ Flexible online learning for nursery teams
✔ Reduce admin and simplify staff training
✔ Support ongoing staff development
✔ Nursery-focused training and development
✔ Easy onboarding and simple setup
✔ Access training anytime, anywhere
✔ Designed specifically for early years settings
✔ Build staff confidence and knowledge
✔ Ongoing support when you need it 

You Run Your Nursery. We’ll Help Manage the Rest. 

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Courses Included in the Essential Pathway

Explore a wide range of mandatory training, safeguarding, compliance and early years development courses designed to support your nursery team. 

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Included

FGM Awareness

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Included

British Values

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Included

GDPR

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Included

Fire Safety

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Included

County Lines

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Included

Prevent Duty

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CPD ACCREDDITED Included

Safeguarding Awareness

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Included

Health and Safety

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Included

Safer Recruitment

observe
Included

Understanding Early Years Teaching

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Included

Next Steps and Tracking

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Included

EYFS Changes 2026

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Included

Packed Lunch Compliance

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Included

Ofsted Inspection Framework

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Included

Baby Care and Development

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Included

Safer Sleeping Practices

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Included

Safer Eating Practices

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Included

Engagement and Enjoyment

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Included

Understanding Behaviour

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Included

Early Maths Matters

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Included

Getting started with Phonics

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Included

Working with SEND Children

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Included

Early Communication Skills with Makaton

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Included

Inspiring play through outdoor learning

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Included

Beyond the classroom: Forest School Practices

Perfect For Nurseries That Want To:

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✔ Keep staff training up to date

✔ Access affordable nursery training

✔ Support ongoing staff development

✔ Improve compliance confidence

✔ Give staff flexible online learning access

PRICING

Simple, Affordable Nursery Training

Flexible monthly and yearly pricing designed for early years settings. Upgrade to our premium partnership at any time.

PER MONTH

£15.00 per user

✔ Mandatory training access
✔ Essential course catalogue
✔ Monthly webinar access
✔ Knowledge checks & quizzing
✔ Certification included
✔ Free parent portal access 

PER YEAR

£12.40 per user

⭐BEST VALUE⭐

✔ Mandatory training access
✔ Essential course catalogue
✔ Monthly webinar access
✔ Knowledge checks & quizzing
✔ Certification included

What do real settings say?

See how the essential pathway changes settings for the better!

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MF Nurseries and Childcare

“The Essential Pathway has made staff training so much easier for our nursery. The team enjoy the flexibility of the training, and it’s helped build confidence across the setting.”

MF Director

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Frequently Asked Questions

Is support included after set up?

Yes. Ongoing admin, technical, and compliance support is included. This includes support with EYFS updates and monitoring course completion.

How does this support Ofsted Inspections?

The programme provides clear, up-to-date evidence of training, policy compliance, and staff development, supporting inspection readiness at all times.

How do managers monitor progress?

Managers and reviewers have access to real-time reporting, showing course completion, policy signoffs, and outstanding training across the team.

How does staff access work?

Each staff member has their own secure login, ensuring training progress, course completion, and policy signoffs are recorded accurately on an individual basis.

 

Train Smarter. Train with Stepping Stones.

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