Excellence in Reception Teaching Programme

Strengthen your practice in reception and give children the best possible start to school.

The Excellence in Reception Teaching Programme is a new, two-term professional development opportunity designed specifically for reception teachers. Grounded in evidence and shaped by the realities of the classroom, it supports you to refine your practice and improve outcomes for every child.

You’ll explore practical, research-informed approaches to early learning, with a focus on language, literacy, early maths and child development. In turn, helping you build strong foundations from the very start of a child’s school journey.

Express your interest here to be the first to know when applications open.

Reception is a critical year in a child’s education. The quality of teaching, provision and interactions at this stage has a lasting impact on attainment, confidence and long-term outcomes.

This programme is designed to help you:

• strengthen children’s early communication, language and literacy skills.
• improve outcomes through small, high-impact changes to practice.
• better support children with SEND and additional needs.
• build consistent, high-quality approaches across your setting.
• develop confidence in working with parents and other adults supporting learning.

By investing in reception teaching, schools can improve school readiness, close gaps earlier, and set pupils up for success across the curriculum.

This programme is for:

• new reception teachers
• experienced reception teachers looking to refine their practice

Participants must be currently teaching in reception.

You’ll deepen your understanding of effective reception practice, with a focus on:

• early language development and communication.
• foundations of literacy and early reading.
• early maths and number sense.
• effective provision and classroom practice.
• supporting children with SEND.
• working in partnership with parents and carers.

Throughout the programme, you’ll engage with the latest research and apply it directly to your classroom.

Term 1

Welcome and Introduction – online – 1 hour

Module 1 – Self-study, 1 hour x 3

Module 2 – Self-study, 1 hour x 3

Online Seminar – 1 hour.

Module 3 - Self-study, 1 hour x 3

Term 2

Module 4 – Self-study, 1 hour x 3

Online Seminar – 1 hour x 3

Module 5 – Self-study, 1 hour x 3

Online Seminar – 1 hour.

Module 6 - Self-study, 1 hour x 3

Close – online – 1 hour

The programme is designed to fit around the demands of teaching, with flexible, manageable content delivered through:

• Expert-led sessions
• Bitesize research summaries
• Practical, classroom-focused guidance
• Opportunities for reflection and application
• Q&A sessions with specialists

All learning is designed to be completed within dedicated CPD time, with a clear focus on immediate classroom impact.

By the end of the programme, you will:

• build on your existing expertise to become even more effective in reception teaching.
• access and apply the latest evidence through a reception-specific lens.
• gain practical strategies you can use immediately in your classroom.
• learn from reception specialists and best practice from across the country.
• develop stronger approaches to supporting all learners, including those with SEND.
• improve outcomes for children through consistent, high-quality practice.

The National Institute of Teaching is a school-led, research-informed organisation dedicated to improving teaching and leadership across the system.

Our programmes are:

• designed with expertise from reception specialists.
• powered by evidence and informed by national research.
• structured to fit round teachers’ busy lives.
• focused on practical impact in the classroom.

You can register your interest with the DfE now to set up an email alert for when applications open in July.

Funded places are available for participants working in most state funded settings, including academies. 

Examples of settings where funding is not available include: 

• schools outside England 
• independent schools 

If you are not eligible for funding, you can self fund but you must still register with the DfE.