Many settings already use elements of coaching informally—particularly within supervision or mentoring processes. But until now, there’s been no structured, nationally recognised programme focused entirely on developing skilled, confident Early Years coaches. That’s about to change.

At Best Practice Network, we’re proud to be launching the Coaching in the Early Years Apprenticeship (Level 5) – the first programme of its kind, purpose-built to bring high-quality coaching practice into nurseries, preschools and Early Years settings across the country.

This new offer comes at exactly the right time. In its recent strategy document, Giving every child the best start in life, the Department for Education outlined its ambition to create a ‘golden thread’ of evidence-informed early years teaching practice and ensure that all educators have access to high-quality training at every stage of their career.

We believe coaching can be that golden thread in action—supporting practitioners to reflect, grow and improve in real time, within their own setting, through professional conversation and purposeful collaboration.

It’s an approach that’s already reshaping professional development in primary and secondary schools across the country. And now, finally, it’s coming to the Early Years.

• Instructional coaching is increasingly recognised in UK schools as an effective, job‑embedded form of CPD. It is defined by one expert as “individualised, intensive, sustained, context‑specific, focused, and encouraging self‑reflection” (IRIS Connect).
• The Chartered College of Teaching has spotlighted coaching as especially helpful in creating positive learning environments, with action-focused support shown to improve classroom practice (Chartered College of Teaching).
• National initiatives like the London Challenge used peer coaching to drive widespread school improvement.
• And within Early Years itself, the PLEYE review found that coaching, when combined with professional learning and reflection, has the most significant impact on outcomes for children and settings (PLEYE Review, 2018).

Despite this evidence, coaching remains rare in nurseries and preschools—yet Early Years professionals are already doing much of the deep, reflective work that coaching strengthens.

That’s why we’re proud to be launching the Coaching in the Early Years Apprenticeship (Level 5)—the first structured coaching programme built specifically for Early Years settings.

Rooted in the same national coaching standard used in schools, this fully funded apprenticeship is tailored for:

• Anyone working in the Early Years who wants to reap the benefits of structured, evidence-based coaching practice
• Early Years SENCOs looking to support new staff with inclusive practice
• EYITT graduates who want to mentor and guide others
• EYITT Mentors who want to take the next step in their development
• Early Years Lead Practitioners ready to embed a coaching culture across their teams

Over the years, we’ve supported thousands of Early Years professionals through EYITT, EY SENCO and EYLP. This new coaching pathway offers the opportunity to build on that learning—helping practitioners not only lead by example, but support others to grow with confidence and clarity. The impact of coaching in primary and secondary is already proven. Now it’s time for the Early Years to benefit, too.

Become an Early Years Coach