
For | A completely new NPQ for all leaders in early years settings, qualified to at least Level 3 who are, or are aspiring to be, managers of Private, Voluntary and Independent nurseries, headteachers of school-based or maintained nurseries, or childminders with leadership responsibilities |
Length | 18 months |
Study Time | 60hrs online study; four 4hr in-person sessions; four 1.5hr national seminars; nine 1.5hr local seminars; four 1.5hr case studies |
Accreditation | NPQEYL |
Programme Start Options | February 2023 |
Cost | Fully funded for all staff in a local authority nursery in England, in a pre-school class that’s part of a school in England, in a private nursery that is registered with Ofsted or as a childminder or nanny and registered with Ofsted £1,149 for all others – more information here |
Lead successful improvement and change in your Early Years setting
A completely new NPQ for all leaders in early years settings, qualified to at least Level 3 who are, or are aspiring to be, managers of Private, Voluntary and Independent nurseries, headteachers of school-based or maintained nurseries, or childminders with leadership responsibilities
- Gain a nationally recognised, prestigious, government-backed qualification and make progress in your career
- Strengthen your expertise as an Early Years leader, creating a culture where parents, children and staff can thrive and learn how to bring staff with you on the journey
- Learn flexibly around your job with a blend of online learning, virtual sessions and local face to face workshops
Benefits for you
- Develop knowledge and understanding of how to apply the evidence on the effective running of an early years setting, responding to the needs of children, parents, staff, and wider operating demands, and helping you progress in your career
- A blended learning experience which fits around your role where you learn and discuss key content online delivered in a way that suits the busy working lives of early years practitioners
- Local virtual and face to face sessions that focus on real problem-solving, creating understanding, connecting with your peers and gaining depth of knowledge
- Ongoing preparation to give you confidence to pass the final assessment
- Facilitation and support from serving early years and school leaders in and delivery at local venues
Benefits for your nursery or organisation
- A skilful and research-informed leader who can lead a cohesive, impact-focused leadership team, with better connections across the early years sector
- Practical capability to get on with the job of developing others with the skills to lead with people and teams, creating change and impact
- A professionally aware and informed leader who can make evidence-based decisions and approach leading teacher development in an effective and efficient manner
- The ability to review and evaluate practice in order to bring about change and get the best outcomes for young people and staff within the organisation
A blend of flexible online learning, online discussion, virtual workshops and face to face workshops, for a few hours study each week over 18 months. This is followed by an assessment where you will complete a 1500-word case study assessment to demonstrate your understanding of real leadership and change.
Our online modules guide you and your colleagues through understanding and implementing effective approaches to people-powered school improvement.
This completely new Leadership NPQ has an evidence-informed curriculum design, connecting you to the latest research and best practice. Our research-rich course covers all of the core content in the government’s Framework for this qualification. It will help you to:
- Develop a culture that supports sustainable improvements over time, responding to evidence on child development and effective early years practice
- Support the delivery of a strong curriculum that responds to the demands of the Early Years Foundation Stage
- Understand the evidence on SEND in the early years and make appropriate provision to support babies and young children to access support where needed
- Support the development of all staff within an early years setting
- Focus on the underpinning operational fundamentals of a successful early years setting, including leading on pedagogy, managing the nursery, managing the team, understanding safeguarding requirements and financial and business needs
Funding and Cost
Full training scholarship funding, with no cost to the participant, for the NPQ in Early Years Leadership is available to those leaders qualified to at least level 3 with a full and relevant qualification who are, or are aspiring to be:
- managers of private, voluntary and independent nurseries
- headteachers of school-based or maintained nurseries
- childminders with leadership responsibilities
And are employed:
- in a local authority nursery in England
- in a pre-school class that’s part of a school in England
- in a private nursery that is registered with Ofsted
- as a childminder or nanny and registered with Ofsted
The course fee is £1,149 for all others – more information here
Start your application
Register your interest in the box provided below
More information
The Teacher Development Trust is an internationally leading charity in the fields of staff development and school improvement through people development. Founded by practising teachers and leaders in 2012, we’ve helped hundreds of schools and leaders to create lasting improvement.
Find your local partner

Our network of UK and international delivery partners will be happy to support you along your learning journey with exceptional facilitators who have a strong track record of leadership and supporting other leaders.
If you may be interested in becoming a facilitator, please click here
Register now for our NPQs starting in Autumn 2023:
Register Now for our NPQs starting in 2023-24
“The course had a huge impact on my professional life this year […] it reignited my desire to learn in an academic sense”
“The course material is utterly brilliant. Such high quality and carefully crafted. The spirit and ethos of TDT is forefront.”
Key Dates
Autumn 2022 Cohorts
Qualification | Start Date | Final Delivery Session | Assessment window start | Assessment window end |
NPQEYL | 17th October 2022 | w/c 25th March 2024 | Monday 15th April 2024 | Monday 22nd April 2024 |
National Seminars
Seminar | Date |
National Seminar 1 | Thursday 20th October 2022 (3.30pm – 5pm) |
National Seminar 2 | Monday 23rd January 2023 (3.30pm – 5pm) |
National Seminar 3 | Wednesday 3rd May 2023 (3.30pm – 5pm) |
National Seminar 4 | Tuesday 7th November 2023 (3.30pm – 5pm) |
Spring 2023 Cohorts
Qualification | Start Date | Final Delivery Session | Assessment window start | Assessment window end |
NPQEYL | Monday 6th February 2023 | w/c 15th July 2024 | Monday 2nd September 2024 | Monday 9th September 2024 |
