Early Years Senior Leader
Level 7 Apprenticeship

The Early Years Senior Leader Apprenticeship is already taught at master’s level, and this is formally recognised by the University of Chester. That means your hard work on the apprenticeship doesn’t just stand alone — it also counts directly towards a full Master’s degree.

By completing the apprenticeship you will earn 120 master’s-level credits. You can then choose to finish a final 60-credit dissertation module online, supported every step of the way by University of Chester tutors. The cost is just £3,210 — a fraction of the usual £10,000+ Master’s fee.

No degree? No problem.

• You do not need a bachelor’s degree to take this route
• If you are eligible to start a Level 7 apprenticeship, you are automatically eligible for the Master’s fast track
• Your professional experience in early years leadership is recognised and valued by the university and by Best Practice Network

Worried about completing a Master’s? You won’t be on your own.

The University of Chester has supported hundreds of early years practitioners — including SENCOs, nursery managers, business managers, and teachers — to complete their Master’s successfully. The support is extensive and personal:

• Dissertation supervisor: 1:1 guidance throughout your project
• Personal tutor: Support with any concerns, worries, or practical issues beyond the dissertation
• Study Skills & Library Services Teams: Webinars and 1:1 support
• Help with structuring assignments, paragraphs, and referencing
• Bookable sessions on referencing and digital resource use
• Pre-set and tailored sessions designed around your needs.

Why it works for early years leaders

Because the apprenticeship already covers the majority of the Master’s learning, very little extra study is required. The dissertation simply builds on the leadership work you’ve already done. This makes it a straightforward, affordable, and realistic route to a full Master’s degree — even if you’ve never studied at this level before.

By completing the fast track, you’ll graduate with a Master’s in Educational Leadership that cements your professional credibility and opens the door to senior leadership or consultancy roles in early years

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You should be employed in an early years setting in England for the duration of the programme, and you should already hold a leadership or management role, such as:

• Nursery manager
• Lead Practitioner
• Early Years Teacher (with EYTS)
• SENCO in early years settings
• Nursery/Pre-school Principal or Director
• Early Years Lead (multi-site)
• Assistant Director / Deputy in early years services
• Business or operations manager for early years sites

For nursery managers, this programme develops the skills to step up from daily operations into strategic, whole-setting leadership.

• Gain confidence in setting vision, values, and strategy for your nursery
• Strengthen skills in leading teams, driving improvement, and embedding quality practice
• Learn how to use data and evidence to evaluate impact and make better decisions
• Build resilience and adaptability to navigate inspection, compliance, and external accountability
• Fast-track to a Master’s qualification, turning your leadership apprenticeship into advanced academic recognition

For lead practitioners, especially those who have completed our Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5 apprenticeship, this is the bridge from specialist practice into broader leadership roles.

• Develop strategic leadership skills that extend beyond classroom or room leadership
• Enhance your ability to mentor, coach, and influence colleagues across the setting
• Understand how to lead innovation, curriculum design, and change management
• Position yourself for progression into roles such as Deputy Manager, Nursery Manager, or multi-site leadership
• Fast-track to a Master’s qualification, building both professional and academic credibility.

For early years teachers who have completed EYITT, this programme provides the leadership progression route to move from expert practitioner into senior and strategic leadership.

• Build on your EYITT foundation by developing the skills to lead across teams, settings, and organisations
• Gain expertise in strategy, governance, and organisational change — moving beyond classroom leadership
• Strengthen your ability to influence curriculum, pedagogy, and quality across whole settings
• Position yourself for senior roles such as Deputy Manager, Nursery Manager, or multi-site leader
• Fast-track to a Master’s qualification, converting your apprenticeship learning into an advanced academic degree

For SENCOs, especially those who have completed our Early Years SENCo Level 3, this programme expands your influence beyond SEND into whole-setting leadership.

• Apply specialist SEND knowledge in shaping inclusive vision and culture across your setting
• Strengthen advocacy and leadership skills to influence policy, practice, and resource allocation
• Gain tools to embed inclusive practice into staff development and organisational strategy
• Broaden career opportunities into senior leadership or inclusion leadership roles across early years groups
• Fast-track to a Master’s qualification, elevating your expertise into advanced academic standing.

For principals and directors, this programme refines your ability to lead strategically across entire settings or groups of settings.

• Strengthen governance, finance, and compliance leadership at a strategic level
• Learn advanced approaches to leading teams, developing talent, and succession planning
• Enhance your ability to manage risk, growth, and external partnerships
• Gain credibility and recognition at a national level through a Level 7 qualification
• Fast-track to a Master’s qualification, combining professional leadership development with academic achievement