Early Years Teacher Status Pathway
In September 2014 Early Years Professional Status (EYP) was superseded by Early Years Teacher Status (EYT), the route is now referred to as Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT). For the purpose of this web page when we refer to Early Years Teacher Status (EYT) we mean both the new EYT and the old EYP.
All of the Early Years Initial Teacher Training Routes are FULLY FUNDED by the National College for Teaching and Leadership except the Assessment Only Route. Your place of work can access a bursary/grant of up to around £7,000 whilst you are studying.
Early Years Initial Teacher Training and Graduate Routes
To access any of the EYITT routes candidates must hold a Full Degree. Therefore if you currently hold a Foundation Degree/HND you will need to 'top up' to a Full Degree (Level 6) or Honours Degree.
If you are currently working in Early Years and hold a Level 3 Qualification you will first need to undertake a Level 5. These bridging qualifications take you from Level 3, to Level 4, finally qualifying with a Level 5:
If you are currently working in Early Years and hold a Level 5 HND or Foundation degree your next step is to undertake a Top Up Degree. Full details of availability via the colleges and universities including the cost, course length, dates and times for Top Up Degrees are available below:
For information regarding funding via Student Finance/Advanced Learner Loan please see Level 4 and 5 Qualifications.
If you are currently working in Early Years and hold a Full Degree:
Routes typically commence once per year in September, training providers will interview potential candidates over the Spring and Summer months, enrol early to avoid disappointment. The Graduate Employment Based route to Early Years Teacher Status is typically delivered over 12 months part time alongside your early years employment; includes a £7,000 employer incentive and the student must undertake additional placement(s) to cover birth to 5 including KS1.
For those who are not employed; The Graduate Entry training route to Early Years Teacher Status is delivered over 12 months full time and includes 120 days placement and students can receive a bursary of up to £5,000.
A further entry requirement onto EYITT – candidates will have to prove (show certificates) that they hold GCSE (or O'Level) (grade 4 or above or C or above) or CSE1 in English, Maths and a Science. Please note: Level 2 Literacy/Numeracy/Key Skills/'For Life' will not be accepted, a certificate from www.equivalencytesting.com will be accepted.
Student finance information for people who have studied before
Generally, you'll only get student finance if you're doing your first higher education qualification. This is true even if your previous course was self-funded. However, you may still get it if, for example:
- you change course
- you leave your course but decide to start again
- you're 'topping up' a higher education qualification, eg you've finished an HNC, HND or foundation degree and now want to do an honours degree
University of Northampton
- University of Northampton Early Childhood Studies (top-up) Degree
- University of Northampton PGCE (Top-Up) Primary/Early Years/Secondary
University of Derby
- University of Derby BA Hons in Early Childhood Studies
- University of Derby Early Childhood Studies (Top-Up) BA (Hons)
- University of Derby (MA) Masters in Education (Early Childhood Pathway)
- University of Derby BA Hons Special Educational Needs and Disability available as a top up for students who complete the Fda SEND
Loughborough College
SMB College Group
Best Practice Network
Pen Green
- Pen Green BA Hons Top Up Degree
- Pen Green Post Graduate Certificate in Early Years Teaching
- Pen Green (MA) Master of Arts in Integrated Working with Children and Families in the Early Years
Doncaster College and University Centre
- Doncaster College BA Top Up in Early Childhood Studies (Distance Learning)
- Is completely online study supported by a personal tutor, materials and assignment support. The final year top up is offered full time over 1 year or part time over 2 years and is accredited by the University of Hull. This is particularly useful for students who struggle to access the more traditional 'face to face' routes to top up from their Level 5 Foundation Degree or Level 5 HND.
- Doncaster College (MA) Master of Arts in Early Childhood Studies via online distance learning and the Doncaster College (MA) Master of Arts in Education Studies