NPQ for Early Years Leadership

Give every child the best possible start with the NPQ for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL).

The programme will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead high-quality early years provision and improve outcomes for young children.

You’ll develop expertise in how children learn and develop in the early years, and how to create environments, curricula and teaching approaches that support strong foundations for future learning.

This is a nationally recognised qualification designed to help you lead early years settings effectively and ensure every child can thrive.

Ideal for nursery managers, EYFS leads, reception leaders and others leading early years provision.

Teachers and early years leaders who:

• Lead, or aspire to lead, early years provision in a school or setting
• Want to improve outcomes for children in the early years foundation stage (EYFS)
• Are responsible for curriculum, teaching or assessment in early years

On this NPQ for Early Years Leadership, you will develop expertise in:

• how young children learn and develop, including language, communication and social development
• designing and implementing an effective early years curriculum
• supporting high-quality interactions and teaching in early years settings
• creating enabling environments that support learning and development
• using assessment effectively to support progress and identify need
• supporting children with additional needs and reducing disadvantage gaps
• leading and developing staff in early years provision
• working effectively with parents, carers and external professionals

Our NPQ for Early Years Leadership is delivered over 12 months through a blended learning model designed to fit around your role.

The programme consists of seven modules and a final assessment. It includes 40 hours of online self-study, plus virtual school visits and masterclasses, plus four in-person days (each six hours), featuring practice clinics and coaching.

The programme includes:

• Local seminars – apply your learning with expert facilitators and collaborate with peers
• Virtual school or setting visits – see effective early years practice in action
• Online masterclasses – hear from experienced early years leaders and sector experts
• Self-study modules – engage with the latest research and evidence-informed practice
• Implementation discussions – structured support to help you apply your learning in your setting

You’ll also have access to a library of masterclasses and resources throughout the programme.

There are typically two to three scheduled sessions each half term, combining online and in-person learning. You should also expect around 4-6 hours of self-study per half term.

Local seminars take place during the school working week and during term time. Schools should plan for participant attendance as part of their professional development commitment.

The programme is designed to be manageable alongside your existing role.

We have a wide network of delivery locations that allow us to reach participants from most areas. Reach out to your regional delivery team to find out which is closest to you.

North and West: Blackburn, Bolton, Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

South, East and London: Essex, Hertfordshire, North East London, Norwich, South East London, Suffolk, Sutton, Surrey. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

North and East: Doncaster, Gateshead, Grimsby, Halifax, Leicestershire, Newcastle, Peterlee, Redcar, Tyne and Wear, Washington. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

South and West: Birmingham, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dudley, Gloucestershire, Sandwell, Somerset, South Staffordshire, Swindon, Walsall, Worcester. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

• Develop specialist expertise in early years leadership
• Build confidence to lead high-quality provision
• Gain a nationally recognised qualification
• Apply evidence-informed approaches to improve outcomes for young children
• Enhance your career progression opportunities

• Improved quality of early years provision
• Stronger outcomes in communication, language and early development
• More consistent, high-quality teaching and interactions
• Better support for disadvantaged children and those with additional needs

To complete the NPQEYL, you will:

• engage fully with the programme
• complete a written, ‘open book’ assessment (up to 2,000 words)

The assessment:

• takes place over an eight-day window
• assesses your understanding and application of programme content
• includes two opportunities to pass

We will support you with writing clinics, provide you with live assessment support webinars and self-directed guidance materials before you gain your accreditation.

This programme is suitable for:

• Teachers and leaders responsible for, or aspiring to lead, early years provision

Your school or setting may be eligible for scholarship funding, please click here to find out more.

Applications for the November 2026 cohort are now open. You can apply here.

To apply, you will need:

• full understanding of eligibility criteria
• agreement from school/employer to apply for this programme
• support from school to take part in the programme and implement learning
• your Teacher Reference Number (A TRN is a 7-digit number that uniquely identifies you in the education sector in England. This will be validated with the Department for Education, please ensure you enter the correct TRN. Not sure what your teacher reference number is? You can find out here)
• school/setting unique reference number (URN), address, contact number, number of pupils on roll, % of pupils eligible for free school meals
• a summary of your current leadership responsibilities and a 200-word statement about why you wish to complete this programme
• name, job title and email address of nominated implementation advisor, name, job title and email address of referee and invoicing contact name, address and email address.

For the November 2026 cohort, early years settings identified as having high disadvantage and maintained nursery schools are eligible for funding. Find out more about funding and eligibility criteria here.

Ofsted-registered childminders are included in early years settings.

If your setting is not eligible for funding, the NPQ for Early Years Leadership costs £1,050.

The National Institute of Teaching is a higher education provider founded by schools, for schools.

• School-led – learn from experienced practitioners working in early years settings today
• Evidence-informed – grounded in the latest research on child development and early learning
• Designed for impact – apply your learning directly in your setting
• Built around your role – manageable alongside your responsibilities
• Collaborative – learn alongside peers and build a strong professional network

• NPQ for Senior Leadership
• NPQ for Headship
• NPQ for Executive Leadership
• NPQ for SENCOs