Early Years Senior Leader
Level 7 Apprenticeship
A fully funded 14-month leadership programme for senior early years and nursery leaders, with flexible study that fits around your role and the option to fast-track to a Master’s degree.
The only intake of the first specialised Level 7 apprenticeship in Early Years leadership with Master's Pathway! Starts November 2025!
Early Bird Deadline: October 26
Intake Deadline: November 9
At a glance
Course duration
14 Months
Expert support from your personal Apprenticeship Tutor
Access to cross-sector leadership resources & expertise
Monthly Coaching
Sessions
Programme cost
£14,000 £0 with Apprenticeship Levy funding
What is the Early Years Senior Leader Programme?
The Early Years Senior Leader Programme is a leadership development pathway crafted specifically for leaders in early years settings—nurseries, pre-schools, children’s centres, or multi-site early years trusts. It is built around the Level 7 Senior Leader apprenticeship standard, adapted to the unique challenges and opportunities of the early years sector.
To be eligible for the programme, participants must:
- have at least two years’ experience as a senior leader within an Early Years or Early Years group setting
- have a Level 4 or 5 qualification (such as Early Years Lead Practitioner Apprenticeship Level 5)
- have the opportunity to demonstrate setting direction, budgets and data, vision, governance and providing a clear sense of purpose for their area of responsibility
- be currently employed in a school or setting
- have the right to work and study in the UK
Example job roles include:
- Nursery Manager
- Early Years Teacher (with EYTS)
- Early Years Lead Practitioner
- Financial Officer
- HR Manager
- Regional Manager
- Associate Director
- Area Manager
- Head of Department
Participants in the programme will develop the abilities to:
- Shape the early years vision, values and governance for your setting(s), aligning with stakeholder expectations and regulatory frameworks
- Lead improvement, innovation and change in pedagogy, curriculum, staff practice, partnerships and operations in early years contexts
- Use research, data, observation and reflection to diagnose issues, identify opportunities, manage risk and evaluate impact
- Cultivate inclusive, ethical, high-quality cultures where early years practitioners feel empowered, supported and trusted
- Steward resources (staffing, space, equipment, budgets) in early years settings in a sustainable and transparent way
- Navigate external accountability, inspections, safeguarding oversight, regulation (Ofsted, local authority) and stakeholder relationships
- Communicate your vision externally with boards, governing bodies, funders, local authorities, parent/carer communities,and partners
Alongside the apprenticeship, participants also have the option to fast-track to a Master’s degree, a full MA in Educational Leadership.
The programme is structured around ten key themes that form the core units of study
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
This theme is about leading ethically and embedding social purpose in your work. For example, you might partner with local food banks or community groups to support families in need, or implement sustainable practices such as reducing waste and sourcing eco-friendly materials. It’s about leading with social and environmental awareness at the heart of your decisions. - Ethical leadership
This focuses on making principled decisions and modelling integrity. In practice, this might look like ensuring fairness in staff rotas, challenging unconscious bias in recruitment, or standing by a child-centred decision even when it’s not the easiest operationally. Ethical leadership means doing what’s right, not just what’s convenient. - Human resources
Here we develop your skills in recruitment, retention, and creating thriving teams. For instance, you might introduce a wellbeing policy to reduce staff burnout, create development plans linked to appraisals, or lead an inclusive recruitment process that encourages diversity in your team. - Coaching & mentoring
This is about nurturing professional growth within your team.
You could use coaching techniques during supervision to help practitioners reflect on their practice, or pair experienced staff with new starters to build confidence and consistency. Coaching builds reflective, self-directed practitioners. - Critical analysis & evaluation
This involves using evidence and reflection to inform improvement. For example, analysing children’s learning data or Ofsted feedback to identify trends, then using those insights to adapt your curriculum or staff training plans. It’s about learning from data, not just collecting it.
- Creating a strategic business proposal
Here, you’ll learn to design and present business cases for growth or change. In practice, that could mean developing a proposal for extending your provision to include under-twos, or introducing a forest school programme - with research, budget forecasting, and a clear rationale for how it benefits children and families. - Organisational values
This theme focuses on defining and living your setting’s vision and culture. You might co-create core values with your team — such as curiosity, kindness, and collaboration - then ensure they’re reflected in your environment, policies, and family communication. - Finance, workforce, planning and procurement
This is about ensuring sustainability and strategic resource management. An example could be reviewing your budget to balance quality resources with affordability, forecasting staffing levels for the year ahead, or negotiating supplier contracts to ensure best value without compromising quality. - Driving change and risk management
This covers the day-to-day leadership that keeps your setting running smoothly. In practice, that might involve implementing clear systems for safeguarding and record keeping, managing room ratios, or leading daily briefings to keep communication strong across teams. - Team working and development
This theme builds your understanding of accountability and safety.
For example, reviewing risk assessments for outdoor play, ensuring governance structures like advisory boards are effective, or auditing policies to ensure compliance with statutory frameworks.Together, these ten themes combine strategic knowledge with hands-on leadership - helping you lead confidently, ethically, and effectively in your Early Years setting.
Watch the webinar
Catch up on our recent webinar to explore the Early Years Senior Leader apprenticeship, the UK’s only Level 7 apprenticeship designed exclusively for Early Years leaders.
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KEY FEATURE: Optional Master's Fast-Track
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, recognised by the University of Chester. 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
Who should apply for the Early Years Senior Leader Apprenticeship Apprenticeship?
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
Why should Nursery Managers apply?
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
Why should Lead Practitioners apply?
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.
Why should Early Years Teachers apply?
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
Why should SENCOs apply?
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.
Why should Nursery/Pre-school Principals or Directors apply?
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
OPTIONAL: Master's Fast-Track
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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How is the programme delivered?
The apprenticeship is completed over 14 months and is designed to flex around your existing school commitments. Learning is structured so you can decide when to schedule activities, making it practical alongside a busy leadership role.
You will engage in a blend of:
- School-based leadership practice – applying learning directly in your setting
- Formal learning – structured modules that build advanced leadership knowledge
- Coaching – 1:1 guidance tailored to your goals
- Independent study and assessment – at a pace that works for you End-point
Off-the-job training
Off-the-job training is structured learning that takes place outside of an apprentice’s usual, day-to-day work tasks, but during contracted working hours. It ensures that an apprentice has dedicated time to develop new knowledge, skills, and behaviours relevant to their role. This kind of training must be meaningful, directly linked to the apprenticeship standard, and documented so that progress is evident.
Examples of off-the-job training include coaching or mentoring sessions, formal training events, project work, reflective learning, research, shadowing, interactive online modules, networking, and skill development activities.
How is the programme assessed?
To complete the programme, you’ll undertake an independent assessment that includes:
-
A strategic business proposal with presentation and questioning
-
A professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
Benefits include:
- Strategic impact in schools: Leaders gain the capability to influence direction, culture and performance at the highest level within a school or trust
- Evidence-based decision making: Through applied learning and project work, leaders build the skills to use data, research and insight to guide resource allocation, risk management and innovation
- Stronger leadership capacity and succession: Schools grow internal leaders able to sustain improvement and continuity, reducing reliance on external recruitment
- Professional recognition and credibility: The programme aligns with national standards and pathways to chartered and leadership body memberships (e.g. Chartered Management Institute)
- Accountability readiness: Participants become adept at reporting to boards, governors, trust leadership and regulators, improving transparency and stakeholder trust
- Cost-effective development: Because the programme builds professional capability in role, schools obtain leadership development with less disruption than traditional external courses
- Holistic leadership growth: With emphasis on behaviours, inclusion, ethics and organizational culture, leaders emerge more rounded and resilient
- Supportive structure :The programme includes coaching, mentor support, structured modules and peer learning, helping leaders reflect and grow through challenges
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