100% pass rate
Fully funded by the DfE
Up to £5,000 bursary
How to become an Early Years Teacher with
Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT)
EYITT AT A GLANCE
Course Duration: 12 months
Training Days: 8
CHECK-CIRCLE Setting placements
CHECK-CIRCLE Online or Face-to-Face training
CHECK-CIRCLE Personal Tutor
Awards Early Years Teacher Status
The content of the course was thought provoking and changed how I interact with children in a positive way.”
Natalie Hothi, EYITT Graduate
AboutEarly Years Initial Teacher Training (or EYITT) is a fully-funded 12-month programme.
Through a mix of training days, online learning and placements in other settings, students build on their knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and learn how to ensure children’s “school readiness” when they progress to primary school.
EYITT Programme Overview
To pass the programme, students have to meet all of the Early Years Teacher’s Standards at which point they are awarded Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
Early Years Teachers are specialists across the 0-5 age range and can teach to this age group in academies, nurseries and PVIs.
This full-time route (known also as the Graduate Entry Route) to becoming an Early Years Teacher is designed for graduates not currently employed in a setting but looking to enter the early years sector.
Graduate Entry Route (GE) Fully funded by the DfE Up to £5,000 bursary
days of placements
Programme Structure
Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) structure is designed to help students build on their knowledge of the EYFS and make connections across different phases of education in order to understand the EYFS and beyond.
Throughout the programme, studentss will acquire Subject Knowledge, Professionals Skills and learn Professional Behaviours on their journey to becoming Early Years Teachers.
Induction
During induction, students are given information about the programme structure and processes involved in the assessment.
Each student is allocated a personal tutor who will work closely to monitor and assess progress and support the learning experience.
Students complete an Induction module which includes recommended reading and programme handbooks.
Needs Analysis
A key component of the induction phase is the Strengths and Needs analysis which outlines the structure for a Personal Learning and Development Plan for each student.
Training Days
Students attend eight training days across the programme and then a final interview.
Training Days provide the opportunity to meet with fellow learners and experienced facilitators.
• Training Day 1: The Effective Early Years Teacher
• Training Day 2: Adapting Teaching for the Unique Child
• Training Day 3: Starting Strong
• Training Day 4: Foundations for Success
• Training Day 5: Leading and Supporting in the Early Years
• Training Day 6: Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Training Day 7: Unlocking Potential and Widening Opportunities
• Training Day 8: The Reflective Early Years Teacher
• Final Interview: EYTS recommendation
Assessment
Assessment is gathered in different ways, such as teaching observations, planning and an academic assignment.
Placements
Early Years Student Teachers benefit from a variety of experience in early years settings and schools. This enables them to meet all the Early Years Teachers’ Standards.
This includes:
• Teaching children from different backgrounds and across the 0 to 5 age range.
• Gaining experience of different approaches to teaching and of different early years settings.
• Learning about school organisation and management.
Support
Personal Tutor
Our personal tutors provide feedback and support for students throughout the programme.
The Personal Tutor will:
• Visit the student a minimum of five times (one visit per half term) and observe them in their workplace setting.
• Check that placements are arranged and attended, giving suggestions for schools/settings if required (our EYITT co-ordinators can also advise).
• Visit and observe the student in their placement – once they are taking an active role within the class/room.
• Train and support the school/setting mentor to be effective in their role (includes supporting mentor meetings in setting and remotely via Zoom).
School/Setting Mentor
Students identify a school/setting mentor who meets with them weekly.
The Mentor will:
• Observe the teaching and care of children, providing feedback and support.
• Work closely with the Personal Tutor to complete continual assessment and target setting.
• Support the Personal Tutor to upload mentor observations.
• Ensure practice in the setting complies with the latest Equality legislation.
• Ensure accurate judgements are being made that enable the student to demonstrate mastery of the EYITT curriculum.
Entry Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree (in any subject)
• GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or recognised equivalent) in English, maths and science
• If you do not have the required GCSEs then you can opt to complete an equivalency test. Contact us to find out more.
Pop your details into the application form and upload the required documents. You can save it at any stage and finish later.
We will process your application and arrange for a remote interview.
Our Early Years interview team will conduct a short interview via video call. The decision will be made within 3 weeks.
If offered a place we will send you an electronic contract and a welcome pack with all information and next steps.
96
% % % of 2024-25 students said that the support from their personal tutor was at a high standard 97%
rated the quality of online study materials and guidance materials good or very good of students rated their placement experience as good or very good in 2023-24 of our students achieve EYITT of students in 2024-25 would recommend EYITT to a friend or colleague
Beth Spaul, Graduate Early Years Teacher
