National Professional Qualifications

NPQEYL

We’re really excited to introduce NPQ in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL).

Who is it for?

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

What will the programme members learn?

This 21-month programme (18 months’ delivery and three months for assessment) consists of a series of modules based on the DfE’s NPQ frameworks. Each module cycle features: 

  • evidence-based online content to refresh and build knowledge, as well as exemplify what this looks like for your role and level of leadership
  • a formative assessment task to support your learning
  • a face-to-face seminar with a group of peers, facilitated by a serving leader from an Early Years setting or Teach First Development Lead – you’ll analyse and reflect on the task and hear further examples of good practice
  • the opportunity to record reflections and consolidate learning

This cycle repeats throughout the programme, with implementation a consideration in every module. Towards the end of the programme, you’ll also take a module focused specifically on effective implementation. This provides an opportunity to plan a strategic improvement, focused on your context and pupils. There will be ongoing support through a seminar group and discussion forum.

During the Practical Implementation cycle, programme members will be required to put learning into practice and implement an improvement, or plan the implementation of an improvement, in their setting based on the NPQ programme they are working towards. The focus will be identified by the programme member and must be level appropriate. This improvement should be a stretching professional development target within the programme member’s existing role. For aspiring specialist and leadership programme members, the school/employer should support them to implement an improvement at the aspiring level. The allocation of learning time is five hours so any implementation focus should be feasible within the timeframe. 

What will I learn?

You’ll develop expertise in the knowledge, skills and concepts for leading an Early Years setting. These include best practice around child development and additional and specialist educational needs, as well as culture, organisational management and partnerships you may make as the leader of an Early Years setting. Our content is informed by the best and most recent evidence and developed with input from serving leaders and subject matter experts. [. Our programmes have a practical focus. You’ll be supported to make small but important changes to your and others’ practice throughout the programme. This will conclude with the implementation module and practical implementation cycle of the programme.

What are the objectives and the content of the NPQEYL programme?

This programme will help you to:

  • develop as a leader with responsibility across an organisation
  • access content across a breadth of areas such as culture, child development, curriculum and assessment, and organisational management
  • be supported to effectively implement change and improvement in an area you identify as a school priority

Modules include:

  • Culture
  • Child Development
  • Curriculum and Assessment
  • Additional and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
  • Professional Development
  • Organisational Management
  • Implementation
  • Working in Partnership

What are the NPQEYL programme benefits?

Deliver meaningful change in your setting

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 school’s mission. 

Join a network of like-minded leaders 

Become part of a community of leaders across Early Years settings and contexts who share a passion for addressing educational disadvantage. Build valuable connections with other leaders from across the country and learn how they faced and overcame similar challenges.

Grow your expertise

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.

Build a supportive environment for colleagues 

Create a thriving environment in which all staff feel supported and valued with opportunities to develop.

Delivery model, duration and programme breakdown

The NPQEYL is delivered using a blend of online ‘live’ seminars, flexible online learning and face-to-face conferences.

Cost and funding

For further information on cost and funding, please visit our NPQ Funding Information page. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility please contact us at tsh@bright-futures.co.uk

Working in partnership with Teach First 

Teach First has been an accredited NPQ provider for several years. Following a thorough due diligence process, Bright Futures is delighted to be partnered with Teach First. Teach First has got a strong and proven track record in leadership development. For nearly twenty years, Teach First has trained and developed more than 19,000 teachers and leaders, including 10,000 trainees on its teacher training programme rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Read more here

How to Apply

Our application window, for NPQs starting in October 2024, will open later in the summer term.  Until then you can complete the ‘Expression of Interest’ form NPQ EOI – October 2024 (jotform.com).  This will enable us to keep in touch with you and inform you as soon as our application window is open and confirm next steps.

Bright Futures Teaching School Hubs
The Lodge House, Cavendish Road
Bowdon, Altrincham WA14 2NJ

Call us: 0161 823 7073     Link takes you to our Twitter page @TSHubsBF