Early years professionals and early years teachers status

  • Early years professionals and early years teachers

    Early years professionals (EYPs) and Early years teachers (EYTs) are graduate level practitioners key to raising the quality of early years provision. They are ‘change agents’ to improve practice. EYPs / EYTs lead practice across the Early Years Foundation Stage, support and mentor other practitioners and model the skills and behaviours that safeguard and support children. EYPs / EYTs have helped to improve the quality of early education which has been recognised by the government and has helped to shape future developments.

    Please note EYPs / EYTs do not hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

    Devon County Council’s Early Years & Childcare Service continue to support settings who employ an EYP/EYT through the Graduate Leader Fund.

  • Routes to achieving Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)

    The next intake for EYTS is September 2017. There are 4 routes to achieve Early Years Teacher Status:

    • Graduate entry mainstream: this route is for existing graduates (in any subject) who want to achieve EYTS through an academic route and are currently not working in the sector. The training is 12 months, full time. This route is fully funded by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) and candidates with a 1st Class or 2:1 Degree will be eligible for bursaries. Candidates with a 1st Class Degree can claim £9,000 and candidates with a 2:1 can claim £4,000.
    • Graduate employment based: this route is for graduates (in any subject) currently employed in an early years setting or newly recruited to an early years setting, who want to undertake EYTS through an employment based route. The training is 12 months, part time. This route is fully funded by the NCTL and an incentive of up to £7,000 is available for the employer. The incentive should be used for supply cover to release the Trainee EYT for study and work placements, and can also be used as a salary enhancement for the Trainee EYT.
    • Undergraduate entry: this route is for undergraduates who are completing a Degree in an Early Childhood related subject and includes EYTS. The training is 3 years full time. There is no funding for this route and candidates will be required to self fund. For information on student loans please visit our Financial Support page.
    • Assessment only: this route is for graduates with experience of working with children from birth to five who are able to demonstrate Teachers’ Standards (Early Years) without further training. The Assessment Only route is 3 months and there is no funding attached to this route. The cost of this route will be set by the EYTS training provider.

  • Entry requirements

    • EYT Trainees must hold a GCSE grade ‘C’ or above in English, mathematics and science or a recognised equivalent*. These qualifications must be achieved prior to commencing an EYT route. For more information about equivalency testing visit: www.equivalencytesting.co.uk.
    • EYT Trainees must pass a literacy and numeracy Professional Skills Test prior to commencing an EYT route. Trainees have three attempts to pass the Professional Skills Test, the first test is funded. If trainees fail three tests they must wait two years before re-taking. For more information about registering for the Skills Test and practice tests please visit the Dept for Education website.
    • All routes other than the Undergraduate Entry require the candidate to hold a full Degree, a Foundation Degree will not be accepted.
    * Please contact the early years teacher training provider directly to find out which recognised equivalents they accept

     

  • GCSEs

    Recognised equivalents to GCSEs are acceptable for entry onto EYT routes, however this may not provide you with a nationally recognised qualification that would be accepted by other institutions for other purposes. If you want to complete a GCSE in English or maths, most colleges provide funding for these. Science GSCEs are currently not funded.

    For more information please contact your local college:

  • Early years teacher training providers

    A list of approved Early years teacher training providers across the country for the September 2017 intake is available on the Department for Education website.
    Early years teacher training providers include:

  • Further information