Welcome to the Carly Budd
Developmental Play Academy®
​A multi-award winning online education platform dedicated to empowering professionals in Perinatal and Postnatal Services, Health and Social Care, Early Years, Childcare, and the Parent/Baby Wellbeing Sector with evidence-based knowledge and practical skills. Here, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to champion healthy development and wellbeing through movement and meaningful play.
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Training here is not your typical early-years or baby group training. This is advanced, Occupational Therapist-led neurodevelopmental CPD training designed for practitioners who support both typically developing babies and little ones with additional needs and disabilities, and want to dive more deeply into the intricacies of child development.​
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All training is grounded in a neurodevelopmental and health-promotion lens, drawing on Carly’s years of clinical experience specialising in paediatric neuro OT. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the sensory and movement needs of the developing brain and nervous system, and discover the power of rich, diverse play and movement experiences from birth and their lifelong impact
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Through self-paced accredited courses or the comprehensive 0–3 Practitioner Bundle, you will:
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Deepen your expertise and confidence
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Embed this knowledge into your current role or build a new, or improved inclusive service
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Gain hundreds of practical, actionable play ideas
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Learn progressive, evidence-based strategies for supporting development
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Strengthen the foundations of a child’s function, wellbeing, and parent–caregiver connection
Why Invest in training with
Carly Budd?
Expert Guidance:
Benefit from Carly's wealth of experience as a Multi Award Winning Paediatric Occupational Therapist and registered Health Professional, guiding you through the intricacies of early child development from 0-3 years, and the importance to
Move, Play & Develop
Health Promotion:
Learn to create, share and provide nurturing play environments, incorporating gentle multi-sensory experiences. Understand the importance of varied play diets and positions for play from birth, empowering parents to extend this learning into their homes with life long health and wellebign benefits.
Thriving Environments:
Babies and children learn to be human in the environments in which they are in. Explore how Carly's training facilitates crucial childhood occupations, creating environments where young children and their families not only survive but truly thrive.
Grounded Knowledge:
Carly’s training is firmly rooted in evidence-based practices, ensuring you receive reliable and developmentally appropriate information on the impact of play on child neurodevelopment and future health and wellbeing outcomes.
Connection Building:
Discover the vital nature of fostering meaningful connections between caregivers and young children, enhancing the quality of interactions in the critical first 1001 days and beyond..
Contributing to Everydayness of Play:
By sharing knowledge and expertise, Carly aims to contribute to the "everydayness" of child development, benefiting the developing brains and nervous systems of young children in your community with simple, low, or no-cost ways.
“The truth is that play seems to be one of the most advanced methods nature has invented to allow a complex brain to create itself.”
Dr Stuart Brown
The Carly Budd Developmental Play Academy® is for you if:
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You care deeply about babies, children, and their parents or caregivers.
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You want to support children aged 0–3 with developmentally appropriate, meaningful play - not trends or gimmicks.
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You want to explore child development, movement, sensory processing, and play, and understand their impact on brains, nervous systems, motor skills, and lifelong outcomes.
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You already work with children and want to embed this knowledge into your current role or create a new service, gaining deeper understanding of how movement, play, and interaction influence development.
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You are new to the field and want a strong foundation in child development and play, with evidence-based knowledge and practical guidance from an experienced OT.
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You value supporting the stage, not the age, and want confidence guiding babies and children with additional needs, complex diagnoses, or developmental differences - empowering parents and caregivers with sensitivity and skill.
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You are committed to professional growth and maintaining high standards in childcare, parent–baby wellbeing, or therapy services.
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You are looking for high-quality, accredited training, a global community of like-minded practitioners, and ongoing networking and CPD opportunities.
Working with
Carly Budd
Carly, a multi-award winning Paediatric Occupational Therapist and registered Health Professional, is passionate about elevating your expertise in the realm of early child development, movement, and play for health promotion. Her meticulously crafted courses are a gateway to enhancing your knowledge and practical skills, laying a robust foundation for comprehending the essential components of child development for building brains and nurturing nervous systems with lifelong benefit.
With a focus on everything from mini milestones to optimal play positions, tummy time and varied play diets, and the significance of playful interactions, Carly's bespoke training draws from her extensive experience working both in the NHS and independently as an OT specialising in Paediatric Neurology, utilising play as a tool to support the crucial development of sensory processing, cognitive, physical, and emotional skills. Carly's courses are designed to take your learning on a whole new level and use and infuse this in your services supporting babies and young children.
By investing in Carly's bespoke training, you will deepen your knowledge and enhance your techniques to create enriching play and movement based spaces for babies and young children. Additionally, you'll be equipped to offer valuable guidance to parents, fostering an environment that promotes the holistic development and future outcomes of the little ones that you reach.
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