The full-time Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is a one-year graduate program leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), preparing graduates to teach children from birth to five. It includes 120 placement days, training sessions, and culminates in a final interview. EYTS allows work in early years settings but does not confer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), required for leading classes in maintained schools. Applicants need a bachelor's degree, GCSEs, and residency in England.
Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) full-time graduate entry is a one-year programme for graduates that leads to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). It prepares you to teach and lead learning for children from birth to five and typically takes up to 12 months to complete.
What does the full-time graduate entry programme cover?
The programme deepens your understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It develops your subject knowledge, professional skills and reflective practice through themed training days.
The programme culminates in a final interview for recommendation for Early Years Teacher Status. You can find further programme information on the full-time EYITT page.
Who should apply?
The full-time graduate entry route is designed for graduates who want to specialise in early childhood development and work with children from birth to five in early years settings.
If you currently volunteer with children under five but are not employed by a setting, you should consider the full-time graduate entry route. The employment-based route is for people in paid roles.
What are the entry requirements?
To apply for the full-time EYITT graduate entry programme, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree in any subject.
- General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) qualifications at grade C or grade 4 or above, or recognised equivalents, in English, maths and science.
- The right to study and work in the UK.
- Competence in spoken and written English.
What are the residency requirements?
You must already have the right to live, work and study in England. You must also already be living in England.
Best Practice Network does not offer visa sponsorship.
Are GCSE equivalency tests accepted?
Recognised GCSE equivalency examinations in English, mathematics and science are accepted as evidence that you meet the relevant entry requirements.
What placements are required?
Full-time graduate entry trainees complete 120 placement days across at least two settings. These placements include:
- 20 days in a reception class.
- A five-day Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 placement in a school to broaden your classroom experience.
You must engage with Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 to understand curriculum expectations beyond the early years. You achieve this through study and time spent in school.
Where and how often does training take place?
Group training sessions are arranged regionally, with venues chosen for accessibility. Sessions typically take place around once a month alongside your placement activity.
Online sessions and groups are also available. Graduate entry trainees receive additional workshops to support their knowledge and help them embed their experience with peers.
How much time must you commit?
The graduate entry route requires full-time availability. You must complete 120 full placement days, which usually means spending four days a week, and sometimes five days a week, in placement alongside scheduled training.
What status will you gain?
Successful completion of the programme awards Early Years Teacher Status. This enables you to work with children from birth to five in settings including private nurseries, children’s centres and reception classes within academies and independent schools.
Early Years Teacher Status practitioners can lead teaching in private, voluntary and independent early years settings. They may also work in free schools, academies and independent schools, which are not required to employ only staff with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Can an Early Years Teacher lead classes in maintained schools?
You may work in maintained settings with Early Years Teacher Status. However, to lead classes in maintained nursery or primary schools, you must also hold Qualified Teacher Status or a suitable recognised international teaching qualification.
What is the difference between EYTS and QTS?
Early Years Teacher Status recognises specialist expertise in working with children from birth to five, but it does not confer Qualified Teacher Status. Qualified Teacher Status is the professional status required to teach as a qualified teacher in state-funded schools in England across the primary age range.
Further information is available on the Early Years and Primary teaching page.
Is there a set pay scale for Early Years Teachers?
There is no national pay scale specifically for people with Early Years Teacher Status. Individual employers and settings determine their own pay and conditions.