Early Years Initial Teacher Training

The employment-based route on the Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) programme is designed for those already working with babies and children from birth to five years old. Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) will be awarded to graduates who have been judged to have met all of the Teachers' Standards Early Years).

Early Years Teachers will be specialists in early childhood development and the Early Years curriculum. As highly skilled graduate leaders, they will be responsible for facilitating and leading high quality professional practice in early years settings. Participants will leave the programme as reflective practitioners who work with integrity, fostering positive relationships with parents/carers and children as well as other professionals.

Students undertake modules to the value of 60 credits.

Participants will be working to a timetable of no more than 90 per cent of full time working hours and be released for training and study days. Students take three core modules (60 credits total). In addition to this, students will undertake other placements of up to 6 weeks in order to cover the full 0-5 age range.

Where less than 60 credits are achieved at Master’s level (level 7), but are successfully passed at undergraduate/Bachelor’s level (level 6), a Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (PgCE) will be awarded.

An additional pathway is also available for those who wish to study full-time.

Core modules

• Teaching and Learning Module (level 7)
• The Action Research Module (level 7)
• Professional Practice Module (level 6)

Optional modules

• There are no optional modules on this programme.

Placement

Students will undertake placements of up to 6 weeks in order to cover the full 0-5 age range, including 10 days in a Key Stage 1/2 placement.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered via a combination of taught sessions, workshops and work-based learning. The content of the programme aims to keep a careful balance between early years initiatives, educational theory and its practical application. Work-based learning means that academic knowledge, skills and understanding are clearly integrated and contextualised within the professional role of an early years practitioner.

First degree

Normally a minimum of a lower second-class UK Bachelor’s degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

A levels

No specific subjects required.

GCSEs

English Language, Mathematics and Science at grade C.

School experience

Prospective students must complete a minimum of ten days of experience, in an EYFS Setting, before they can be enrolled on the EYITT PGCE. This may involve observations, work experience (e.g. as a teaching assistant or cover supervisor), or voluntary work. Ideally applicants should have completed a majority of their EYFS Setting experience before interview.

DBS and Occupational Health

If you are made an offer you will be required to successfully complete Occupational Health and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure checks. These checks are required to ensure you meet the Department for Education’s requirements for physical and mental health to teach, as well as assessing your suitability for access to children and vulnerable adults. These checks will be carried out by the school or college that employs you. More details can be found on the Entry requirements page.