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A milestone for Early Years Leadership: 14 students complete our bespoke qualification in partnership with UCL.
We have something truly special to celebrate! At our Knutsford Training Academy, we recently hosted a graduation ceremony for the very first group of students to complete the National Professional Qualification in Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL).
This brand new course, developed in partnership with University College London (UCL), provides experienced early years educators with the chance to further their skills, knowledge, and career prospects. We are incredibly proud to see 14 students from our own teams, ranging from Nursery Managers to Directors, completing this year long programme.
Throughout the course, students explored key topics essential for high quality childcare, including effective nursery culture, curriculum assessment, professional development, and safeguarding. The graduation marked a day of reflection, where students presented research on how this qualification has already impacted their daily practices.
Kids Planet CEO Clare Roberts and Operations Director Lucy Kaczmarska joined UCL tutors Lizbeth Bullough and Andy Hodgkinson to mark this significant occasion in our Training Academy’s history.
“Previously, this status was only available for head teachers. Now, early years educators can continue upskilling and diversifying a really rewarding career. As a sector, we must commit to unlocking opportunities and bridging the gap in childcare access.”
— Gill Mason, Training Academy Director at Kids Planet
“At UCL we recognise how crucial the early years are in ensuring young people get the best start in life. We have been thrilled to partner with Kids Planet, who share our passion for excellence, to deliver the Department for Education’s NPQEYL.”
— Andy Hodgkinson, Deputy Programme Director at UCL’s Institute of Education
Since launching our Training Academy in 2018, we have been on a mission to change the perception of early years education. By investing in upskilling, we are ensuring we can support the growing demand for nursery places while offering our team members a truly rewarding career path.
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