
A completely new NPQEYL 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

Currently only guaranteed to be fully funded for 2023-24 academic year! Don’t miss out! Apply below
“I’d highly recommend the NPQEYL. You work at your own pace, you have time to reflect on what you’ve learnt, and then put things into practice. “
NPQ for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)
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, 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 window 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 scholarship funding, with no cost to the participant, for the NPQ in Headship is available to all teachers who meet the following criteria:
- are, or are aspiring to be, a headteacher or head of school with responsibility for leading a school
- are employed in state-funded schools, as well as those employed in state-funded organisations that offer 16 to 19 places in England
The course fee is £1,899 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.
Key Information: A Quick Guide
Course Length
Study Time
Accreditation
Programme Start Date
Other Key Dates
Cost
Autumn 2023 Application Deadline
Please note that TDT NPQ applications for Autumn 2023 will close on Wednesday 18th October 2023. You can continue to apply for TDT NPQs starting in Spring 2024 beyond this date.
Register Now for our NPQs starting in 2023-24
Find a Delivery Partner near you
Our carefully selected network of Delivery Partners deliver our courses across over 21 locations in England, Guernsey and the United Arab Emirates. Some Delivery Partners deliver in more than one region, so please ensure you are able to travel to your chosen local delivery location.
Please use our interactive map below to see where our partners are based and what courses they are offering.
Upcoming Key Dates for Current NPQEYL Participants
Autumn 2022 NPQEYL Cohort
NPQEYL
National Seminar 4
Final Devivery Session
Assessment window start
Assessment window end
Spring 2023 NPQEYL Cohort