Early Years (0-5) Initial Teacher Training with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for the Graduate Employment-Based Route and Graduate Entry Route are:

• hold, or be expected to achieve in the year of application, an undergraduate degree (2:2 or above)
• have passed GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above in English, Maths and a Science

Please see the University website for full details.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Early years specialists are key to laying the foundation for children’s lifelong learning, well-being and success.

At Worcester, we prepare you for a rewarding career as an Early Years Specialist through a mix of interactive seminars, group workshops and placements. Whether you’ve just graduated or are currently working in an early years setting, studying with us will give you the professional skills needed to become an inspiring and compassionate practitioner with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).

Worcester is an accredited Initial Teacher Training provider. This means that graduates who fulfil all the Early Years Teachers' Standards will be recommended for the award of Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) by the Teaching Regulation Agency.

Overview

As an Ofsted 'Outstanding' institution with a long and proud history of training teachers, we can offer you the support of knowledgeable and child-centred lecturers and an exceptional learning environment, where the happiness and well-being of children comes first.

Designed to meet the Early Years Teacher Standards, this Early Years Initial Teacher Training course is fully funded by the Department for Education and will qualify you to teach and care for young children from birth to age 5. There are two pathways through this course: Graduate Entry and a Graduate Employment-Based route.

No matter your previous experience, you will be a qualified early years teacher with EYTS by completing this course. This is different to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which is necessary to lead teaching and learning in maintained schools.

Graduate Employment-Based route

If you are currently working in an early years setting but would like to become a qualified Early Years Teacher, you can study the Graduate Employment-Based route part-time alongside your job so you can keep earning while getting the hands-on experience you need. You will need your employer’s ongoing support throughout the program. Your employer will also receive a £7000 incentive payment to cover costs during your studies.

Graduate Entry route

For graduates who are at the start of their career, you’ll study the Graduate Entry route full-time with placements built into your timetable, where you can apply and practice all that you have learnt. These practical experiences, in combination with your time on campus, prepare you to be a highly skilled and passionate early years teacher. By taking this route, you may be eligible for a bursary of up to £5,000.

Placements

Work-based learning is central to this course, with placement opportunities including schools, pre-schools, nurseries, and private, voluntary and independent early years settings. Practical learning will be supported through a mixture of directed tasks, including a reflective journal.

You’ll complete a minimum of 120 days of placement experience during the course, taking place in a minimum of two early years settings (covering the birth to five years age range) and a school setting (Reception and Key Stage 1).

If you take the Graduate Employment-based route some of these placement hours could be carried out in your workplace, meaning you can continue to earn as you learn.

Careers

Early Years Teachers holding EYTS are highly sought-after in the education sector and benefit from the flexibility to explore various career pathways. You could be working in nurseries, preschools or primary schools, or you could pursue leadership roles such as an Early Years Lead or a Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

You will have opportunities across Academies, Free Schools, Independent Schools and the Private, Voluntary and Independent sectors, as well as early years settings overseas.

Wherever your EYTS takes you, you will make a significant impact on the lives of young learners.