In response to growing demand for early years management skills, whether in the public, non-profit or private sector, from education and childcare professionals working with children under 5 years of age, the project will design, pilot and introduce a web-based degree-level curriculum, will begin the process for accreditation and EU-wide recognition and will develop a thematic network as the embryo of a possible European professional body in early years management. The outcomes of the project will include a web-based curriculum and supporting learning materials (considering ODL pedagogy); an approach to achieving European accreditation; an embryonic European Early Years' Network and a final report. The modular curriculum, in EN only, will be based on an existing BA degree at the promoter's institution. There will be three stages of refinement of the product: piloting, external evaluation and consultation with stakeholders, with eventual steps taken towards national accreditation and mutual recognition through the European Credit Transfer System. The developed course is expected to help attract more women into management and to facilitate career progression. Dissemination at local, national and European level will rely upon distribution of the final project report, web-marketing, the release of articles to relevant journals and the hosting of a final project conference (aimed particularly at decision-makers). All dissemination will be targeted at professional associations in the field. The initial development towards a thematic network expects to encourage interest beyond the project lifetime.