Explore Excellence in Reception Teaching and the National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL).
There are now two Department for Education-accredited professional development programmes on offer for early years educators in schools: Excellence in Reception Teaching and the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for Early Years Leadership. This article explores both options and helps you understand the key differences, so you can choose the right programme for your role and needs.
1. Who the programme is for
Excellence in Reception Teaching is for experienced teachers who are currently teaching, or preparing to teach, Reception day-in day-out, whether or not you have leadership responsibility. You must have completed your Early Career Training.
The NPQ for Early Years Leadership is for early years leads, leaders of the Reception phase, or senior leaders in schools who oversee early years provision. You might be responsible for or oversee planning, curriculum development, and professional development across early years.
The NPQ is also available to practitioners in private, voluntary and independent settings, maintained nurseries and childminders. You must be qualified as an early years practitioner to at least level 3.
2. What the programme focuses on
Excellence in Reception Teaching focuses on improving your everyday classroom teaching practice and developing your expertise in the children you teach. It gives you highly practical approaches to use straight away. While it may help you support other teachers to get better, the main focus is on improving your own practice, rather than practice across the school.
The NPQ for Early Years Leadership is a leadership programme. It helps you develop expertise in leading high-quality early years education and care across your whole setting.
3. What you learn about
Excellence in Reception Teaching is structured around the three prime areas of child development: communication and language; personal, social and emotional development; and physical development. You’ll explore high-quality teaching, inclusive practice and partnership working in each of these areas. You’ll also cover early literacy and early maths. There are regular opportunities to apply what you learn in your classroom.
The NPQ for Early Years Leadership covers a broader framework including setting culture, curriculum and assessment, implementing change, professional development, and organisational management. This will help you provide an educational setting which enables every child to thrive through high-quality learning and support.
4. How much time it takes
Excellence in Reception Teaching lasts two terms. You’ll spend about 45 minutes a week learning the content, and then put what you learn into practice while teaching. This is designed to fit into your PPA time. There are also online events to attend including a launch conference and sense-making sessions. There is no assessment, but you will get a certificate of completion.
The NPQ for Early Years Leadership runs for 18 months. You’ll spend around an hour a week doing self-study, and taking part in a mix of longer online and in-person events. You’ll complete an open-book assessment at the end.
Funding available
Both Excellence in Reception Teaching and the NPQ for Early Years Leadership are fully funded by the Department for Education for educators in eligible roles and settings. Check the programme pages for more information.
Can you do Excellence in Reception Teaching if you’ve already done the NPQ for Early Years Leadership?
Yes, you can do Excellence in Reception Teaching if you have already done the NPQ for Early Years Leadership. This is especially useful if your role includes both classroom teaching and leadership responsibilities.
While there is a small overlap in content, Excellence in Reception Teaching is about developing your classroom practice, not leading a setting.
Many leaders find that, after stepping into leadership roles, they want to revisit and strengthen their own classroom practice. Excellence in Reception Teaching will support you to do exactly that.
Can you do the NPQ for Early Years Leadership after Excellence in Reception Teaching?
Yes, you will be able to take the NPQ for Early Years Leadership in future, after you have completed Excellence in Reception Teaching. You will benefit from building on the programme content with an NPQ.
Choose Excellence in Reception Teaching if you want to develop your everyday classroom practice. Choose the NPQ for Early Years Leadership if you want to grow your leadership skills. If you have questions or want to talk through your options, please contact us. Whichever programme you choose, you’ll be helping to give every child the best start in life.
