The first 14 students have graduated from Kids Planet Day Nurseries bespoke National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL) course.

The year-long course was developed in partnership with University College London (UCL) to provide further education opportunities for experienced early years educators.

The students, who came from a variety of backgrounds including area and nursery managers, childcare directors, and nursery practitioners, presented research undertaken as part of the qualification at the Kids Planet Day Nurseries Knutsford Training Academy Centre.

Gill Mason, training academy director at Kids Planet, was part of the national steering group to develop the NPQEYL  and worked closely with UCL to create the Kids Planet bespoke course. Students learn about topics including effective nursery culture and strategic direction, child development, curriculum and assessment, additional and special educational needs, professional development, protection of children and stakeholder partnerships.

Mason said: “As a sector, we must commit to unlocking opportunities and bridging the gap in childcare access. We’re incredibly proud of the success and impact achieving this status has had on nursery practices, retention and motivation, and look forward to further progressing the course with future cohorts.”