Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)


National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)

We are delighted to be partnering with Teach First to deliver this programme.

  • Target Audience: leaders qualified to at least level 3 who are, or are aspiring to be, a nursery manager, headteacher of a school-based or maintained nursery, or registered childminders with leadership responsibilities. Settings must be Ofsted registered. 
  • Course Length: 18 months, plus 3 months for assessment period
  • Next Programme Start Date: Spring 2025
  • Brochure: Teach First

Programme cost

The cost of the NPQ in Early Years Leadership is £1,090.

Funding for target scholarships

Please see the funding information on our main NPQ page here.


What will I learn?

You will broaden your leadership knowledge and gain the specialist expertise needed to tackle your organisation’s improvement priorities with content covering the breadth of knowledge you need as a leader. Teach First's content is informed by the best and most recent evidence and developed with input from serving leaders and subject-matter experts.

Modules are still being confirmed but will include core elements of the framework:

  • Culture
  • Child development, curriculum and assessment
  • Behaviour
  • Additional and special educational needs
  • Professional development
  • Organisational management
  • Implementation
  • Working in partnership

Programme Breakdown

Your Learning Journey

Designed with busy teachers in mind, the NPQEYL is delivered using a blend of online seminars, flexible online learning and conferences.

How will I benefit?

Over 18 months, you will:

  • Get the tools to establish and - more importantly - sustain your organisation’s strategic direction. Learn how to create an effective culture and align your staff in your setting’s mission.
  • Create a thriving environment in which all staff feel supported and valued with opportunities to develop.
  • Become part of a community of leaders across Early Years settings and contexts and learn how they faced and overcame similar challenges.                                                                           

Please see the attachment below for further information about the NPQ in Early Years Leadership.