Energise: Bundle of 3 training sessions.

Join us for all 3 Energise Children's Ministry toddler team training in the 2026/2027 academic year at a discounted price. Put the dates in your diary and come and join us for the conversations live! You'll have access to 3 superb training sessions for just the price of 2!

We'll be applying the Bible practically so that your team is equipped with top tips and practical skills for mid-week toddler group ministry. These fast paced engaging sessions allow plenty of time for your team to chat through how to apply these skills into your own context, or you might want to use this opportunity to chat with like-minded volunteers in other church based toddler groups around the country.

If you're not able to join us live, don't worry! You'll still receive all of the excellent resources, handouts and videos used in the training session alongside the recording so that you can rewatch it together with your toddler group team at a time that suits you all best.

Wednesday 14 October, 8-9pm: Caring for Overwhelmed Parents

Despite the name, toddler groups are an essential lifeline for many overwhelmed and isolated parents (not just their children) and we have the privilege of providing a space for new parents to feel seen and understood. Our Christian toddler groups have a wonderful opportunity to walk with parents in their highs and lows and love them as Jesus would. But what is it exactly that the church toddler group can offer to overwhelmed adults? And how can we care for parents well in the short time we have with them each week?

• We’ll explore how to sit alongside parents with young children to offer distinctive Christian care without overpromising, overstepping, or overwhelming.

• We’ll equip you with simple tools to listen and love burdened parents through the crises of sleep deprivation, grief, tears, and emerging additional needs with Christlike compassion and confidence in the hope we have in Jesus.

• You’ll have time to discuss as a team the particular needs and opportunities of your group to discern and deliver excellent Christian care to your toddler group community.
  
  

Thursday 21 January, 8-9pm: Activities that Connect

Toddler groups are busy spaces with lots happening: playdoh, parachutes, puppets, and paint… songs and snacks, cars and trains… whatever activities you put out to play we want to show Jesus to children each way.

• Hear how the range of activities you offer can all work together without adding more work, more resources, or more stress to your toddler group.

• Discuss as a team how the menu of activities you already offer can be used to reveal Jesus to families so that the bible story isn’t an add on, but is the theme for the craft, dolls, sensory table, mini land play, and even the snacks!

• Be encouraged by stories of faith growing through ordinary moments of toddler group play and be inspired to creatively engage children in God’s big stories through the activities they love.

Tuesday 20 April, 8-9pm: Engaging with Non-parents

Many of the adults who come to our toddler groups are not the primary caregivers of the children they bring, yet they play a vital role in their lives and one we want to encourage and equip them in. In this training session we will think about how to walk with and empower grandparents and foster parents, as well as engage and enthuse childminders so that they feel seen, included, and valued rather than as imposters in our toddler groups.

• We’ll unpack a biblical model of community care and see how faith forms as we all play our part in raising children together.

• We’ll explore the distinct role of non-parents and the conversations that engage them at our toddler groups, and we’ll hear stories of how taking time to connect with non-parents has shaped a Christ-like culture that includes everyone.

• You’ll have time as a team to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and the support that the non-parents in your group need and identify practical ways for you to reach them.

Who should I invite?

Energise training is for anyone who serves in a church toddler group, whether you lead it or just turn up on the day and pass round the breadsticks. This evening is about gathering together no matter your different levels of experience or engagement and then celebrating the different gifts and passions in the room. We hope that everyone will leave encouraged with new ideas and new levels of friendship to enable you to love and serve one another well as you partner together to serve families.

Why not open your home and invite your team round to join the training together? You could cook up a big Spag Bol, or put out a plethora of puddings. You’ll eat, and chat, and hear great fresh ideas to encourage and inspire you again. Let us train your team, all you need to do is sort the snacks!

Attending in a church group

You can make use of our group ticket which costs £20 and is valid for 5+ members of the same church group. 

We recommend meeting in person with your team and joining the training together in person on one screen. Our suggested timings would be: 

7:30pm - meet to (eat and) pray
8-9pm - join the training
9-9:30pm - discuss the training 

If meeting in person is not possible, we will have organised a remote breakout room for your team members to join. This will automatically be done when a church has booked 2+ tickets. There's no need to email us. 

Attending by yourself

If you are buying a single ticket, you can either be allocated to a breakout group with others or work by yourself.

If you can't attend

If you can't attend but would like a recording of the training, please purchase a ticket and you will automatically be sent the recording the next day.

Zoom training runs from 8-9pm with an optional further discussion in your teams for 9-9.30pm