Are you looking for a professional career in the Early Years or are you already employed in the Early Years sector and eager for professional promotion? Then our Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) in Early Years Professional Leadership is for you.
This course is co-designed with employers to address an increasing need for high quality professional and technical education pathways. So, you not only get the knowledge you need to apply, or progress, but also the skills employers want in only 12 months.
This course aims to:
Modules include:
Assessments includes:
These assessments are an opportunity for you to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have developed on the course.
Our teachers have up to date industry experience to share with you and the energy and enthusiasm to help you to get where you need to be.
They also understand that returning to study as an adult can be tough and that you’ll have lots of other priorities to juggle. They pride themselves on offering lots of one to one support to help you do your very best.
You will be required to complete work experience within the Early Years sector. The requirements are 375 hours for the Level 4 HTQ.
If you are already employed in the Early Years sector in a relevant role then you may not need to undertake additional placement.
If you choose to progress to the Level 5 HND then you would need to complete an additional 150 hours on placement.
Students on the course make use of facilities at the Baltic campus including our libraries, classrooms and our Creche.
You will also have access to our Careers and Guidance team to help you when applying for job roles and preparing for interviews.
The Early Years Professional Leadership for England course is recognised by employers regionally and nationally, as they include both knowledge and skills and are underpinned by occupational standards, professional values and principles.
Early Years Professional Leadership for England enables you to progress along your career pathway from an early year’s educator role upwards towards early years teaching roles and degree qualifications by bridging the leadership gap between the occupational tiers.
This is a career progression qualification for those who already have experience working with and educating young children with emphasis on leadership and management.
It can be delivered flexibly, and it builds on learners’ existing knowledge and experience by combining practice with learning and development theory.
Essentially the qualification will benefit those already working in the sector with aspirations for progression/promotion to leadership and management roles within the sector.
A further benefit of this course is that you would be able to progress to a Level 6 Top Up leading to a full degree in their professional specialism.
Courses include:
You will be required to demonstrate the following in order to be admitted onto the programme:
Mature Students
Admissions tutors will consider any mature students (classified as 21 and over) who fail to meet the maths and English GCSE criteria mentioned above on an individual basis.
Mature students who have an extensive Early Years background will be considered for the programme if they can demonstrate Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English.
Such students would need to work towards achieving GCSE maths and English if they wish to progress to a Level 6 Top Up programme, where relevant.
The fee for this course is £5,995.
The fee shown is the fee you will pay per year of study. For example, if the course lasts for one year, this is the full fee you will pay.
If the course lasts for one or more years, this is the fee you’ll pay per year of study.
Many of our learners will apply for a Student Loan to help cover these fees. Our friendly team can help you through this process and can be contacted via email at [email protected] or 0191 490 0300 or via Live Chat.
Please note: The fee shown may be subject to change when our fee policy is agreed in Spring 2026.
If this happens after you have applied, you will be contacted directly before the course is due to start. All courses will run subject to sufficient student numbers.
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college. We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
To contact our dedicated Learning Support team email [email protected] or head to Live Chat
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Monday 12 October 2026
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View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.