Excellence in Reception Teaching

The Excellence in Reception Teaching course is new for autumn 2026 and is part of the Department for Education’s ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’ strategy.

It is designed to deepen early years pedagogical knowledge and strengthen practice using practical, evidence-informed approaches.

The training focuses on the latest evidence-informed approaches to teaching Reception, including:

• Child development
• Classroom practice and teaching
• Inclusive practice
• Effective partnerships

The course is expected to last two terms and will include a mix of live online sessions and on-demand content that you can complete in your own time.

We will provide more information on the programme curriculum shortly.

Enquire now to get more information as soon as it’s released.

The course is for experienced Reception teachers, or those who will be teaching Reception year in a mainstream school. This could be a primary, junior or all-through school.

This course is not suitable for active Early Career Teachers.

We expect to receive more information on role eligibility for this programme shortly.

Enquire now to receive more information as soon as it’s released.

The Excellence in Reception Teaching course is a DfE funded programme for teachers working in state-funded settings in England.

If you do not work in an eligible school, the Excellence in Reception Teaching costs £650 plus VAT.

We will provide more information on funding eligibility for this course shortly.

Enquire now to receive more information as soon as it’s released.

Self-funded payment options
If you can’t access a DfE funded scholarship, you can pay for an Excellence in Reception Teaching place.

We will invoice the school/trust contact you provide in your registration directly. Depending on your school type, they may be able to reclaim VAT.

If you are unable to come to an arrangement with your school, we can invoice you directly, but you will not be able to reclaim VAT.

We do not offer payment plans for this programme.

The cost of your programme must be paid in full before the start of your programme. We can’t offer refunds once you start the programme.

Train on our Excellence in Reception Teaching course and you’ll be joining over 46,000 educators in England who have trained with us in the past year.

Access early years expertise
Benefit from an evidence-informed course designed by sector experts including those who have designed and delivered the National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership to over 2,500 early years leaders.

High quality professional development
We know that access to high quality professional development is essential for early years educators and have committed to this through our strategic priorities, design work and supporting the Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Programme as the newly appointed delivery partner.

Join our charitable mission
As an education charity and golden thread provider of the Initial Teacher Training Early Career Framework (ITTECF) and NPQs, your school will benefit from our mission to help educators serving children from disadvantaged backgrounds to keep getting better.

We expect to receive more information from the Department for Education about this programme shortly.

Enquire now to receive more information as soon as it’s released.

We’re now welcoming enquiries for the new Excellence in Reception Teaching course.

This course will begin in autumn 2026.

Enquire now to receive more information including when applications will open.