Programme overview

Participants on the NPQ Early Years Leadership will gain expertise in early years education to give all children up to the age of five the best possible start in life.   See the NPQEYL framework for further details. 

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Find out more....

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Eligibility

To apply, you must be an early years practitioner who is qualified to at least level three, with a full and relevant early years or teaching qualification. 

Example Roles: Manager of a private, voluntary or independent EY settings / Headteacher of school-based or maintained EY setting / Early Years Foundation Stage Leader / Childminder with leadership responsibilities. 

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Cost

• See our 'NPQ costs' page for details. 
• We expect there to be a limited number of funded places for eligible schools/settings, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible when the application window opens.
• To check if you qualify for funding, please use Ambition Institute’s online eligibility checker tool.
• If you do not work in a school/setting that is eligible for funding, or our funded places are full, then you/your school/setting will be required to pay the course fee £1,139 + VAT.

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Apply

• The next cohort will commence Autumn 2026.
• There will only be one intake in the 2026/27 academic year. 
• When registrations open, please visit our 'How to apply for your NPQ' page for details.

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Useful link

Click on the image opposite to download a copy of our programme guide or contact us for more information or guidance about this NPQ programme.