Early Years

Pathways

There are two pathways into Early Years teacher training:

Find out more about the PG Certificate in Early Years Practice

Assessment Only

As an experienced teacher, it is possible to gain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or EYTS (Early Years Teacher Status) without additional training through the Assessment Only route. The route to QTS or EYTS is only available to teachers who have substantial experience in teaching in either the public or private sector but do not already have QTS or EYTS.

As many schools and settings are unfamiliar with Assessment Only, we are very happy to talk to school/setting leaders about the route and its process.

Find out more about the Assessment Only route

Early Years Mentoring 

The ability to reflect on their own practice and that of the school or setting and to relate this to what they have learnt will be vital to the successful completion of the programme for students on either pathway. The role of the setting and, more specifically, you as a mentor, will be to support the student and facilitate with them, opportunities to put their evolving knowledge into practice.

In the context of Early Years Teacher Status, a mentor needs to be someone who:

• has been through the experience of training to work with babies, toddlers and young children
• is available to talk through both complex and general issues in a knowledgeable, sympathetic and trustworthy way
• has experience in delivering and leading practice in the Early Years Foundation Stage
• can support a trainee to become autonomous through dialogue and skilled questioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find out about funding?

Fully funded places are available for graduate practitioners and graduates who wish to work in early education. An employer incentive payment is also available for employers with trainees on the graduate employment-based pathway. Visit the DfE Get into Teaching website for more information.

How does it work as an employer?

View the DfE (Department for Education) guidance for employers for more information

A prospective candidate does not have a degree yet – can they study alongside work?

We offer a Foundation Degree in Children’s Development and Learning in partnership with local FE colleges where candidates can study alongside work. The candidate will need to work in early years (birth-5 years) or educational (4-11 years) setting for at least 2.5 days a week. College attendance is required for one afternoon and evening per week.

There is then the opportunity to do a top-up year to gain BA Children’s Development and Learning. Once they have successful obtained their degree, the candidate can then progress on to one of our postgraduate Primary ITE programmes.

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