Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is a 12-month graduate programme leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), preparing graduates to teach children from birth to five. It includes live training, online study, and placements, focusing on Early Years Foundation Stage. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, GCSEs in English, maths, and science, and right to work in England. EYITT trainees count towards staffing ratios and are supported by mentors and tutors. EYTS allows work in various early years settings but not leading classes in maintained nursery schools without QTS.
Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is a graduate programme leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). It prepares you to teach and lead learning for children from birth to age five and takes up to 12 months.
What is EYITT?
EYITT is for graduates who want to specialise in early childhood development and work with babies and children up to age five. It is suitable for graduate practitioners already employed in early years settings and graduates seeking to enter the sector.
Successful completion gives you EYTS, a specialist professional status focused on the birth-to-five phase. You can find programme information on the Best Practice Network EYITT page.
What will you learn?
EYITT develops your subject knowledge, professional skills and behaviours. Training emphasises the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and progression beyond it.
Themed training days cover topics including:
- Adapting teaching for the unique child.
- Foundations for success.
- Inclusion.
- Leadership in the early years.
- Reflective practice.
How is EYITT delivered?
EYITT takes up to 12 months and combines:
- Up to eight live training days, delivered online or facilitated locally.
- Self-paced online study between sessions.
- Regular enhancement webinars.
- A placement in another setting, typically lasting 25 to 30 days.
The placement gives you experience across the full early years age range, including reception.
Who can apply?
EYITT is for graduates who want to specialise in early childhood development. You can apply if you already work as a graduate practitioner in an early years setting or are a graduate seeking to enter the sector.
You must meet all of the following entry requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Hold General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) qualifications, or accepted equivalents, at grade C/4 or above in English, maths and science.
- Have the right to study and work in the United Kingdom.
- Be competent in spoken and written English.
- Attend a suitability interview, which is typically held remotely.
What are the residency requirements?
To apply for EYITT, 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.
Which qualifications meet the entry requirements?
GCSE equivalency examinations
Recognised GCSE equivalency examinations are accepted if you do not hold the required GCSEs. Details are provided during the application process.
Level 2 literacy or numeracy certificates are not accepted as GCSE equivalents.
Science and English GCSE subjects
For the science requirement, combined science or any of physics, chemistry or biology at grade C/4 or above is acceptable.
For the English requirement, you must have GCSE English Language or English Literature.
Ordinary bachelor’s degrees
An ordinary bachelor’s degree is acceptable. Your application will be considered case by case alongside the other entry requirements and your suitability to lead education and care for children from birth to age five.
Foundation degrees
You cannot begin EYITT with only a foundation degree. EYTS is a graduate professional status, so you must have been awarded at least an ordinary bachelor’s degree before starting the programme.
Degrees that are still in progress
If you are close to finishing your degree, you can begin the application process. You must complete your degree before the programme start date.
What qualification evidence must you provide?
You must provide original GCSE certificates or a certified statement of results from the examination board. Letters from schools are not accepted as evidence, and a pre-certificate results slip is insufficient.
What placements will you complete?
During EYITT, you complete a placement in another setting to broaden your experience. The placement typically lasts 25 to 30 days and covers the full early years age range, including reception.
You complete the placement alongside live training and online study.
Do EYITT trainees count towards staffing ratios?
Yes. EYITT trainees count towards staffing ratios while training, allowing you to develop professionally without being supernumerary.
What support will you receive?
During EYITT, you are supported by:
- An in-setting mentor.
- A lead trainer.
- A personal tutor from Best Practice Network.
Your tutor and the quality assurance team may visit your setting or meet you remotely to monitor your progress and ensure quality.
How much training time should your setting provide?
If you are on the employment-based route, your setting must limit the time you spend working directly with children and provide release time for planning, study, mentor meetings, assessments and written tasks.
Check the Best Practice Network EYITT page for the current direct-work and release-time percentages. [VERIFY: add or confirm the link to the page that holds the current percentages]
Where can you work with EYTS?
Early Years Teachers can lead teaching in private, voluntary and independent (PVI) settings, which make up the majority of the sector. You may also work in free schools, academies and independent schools, which can employ teaching staff without requiring Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
EYITT prepares you to lead education and care across a range of early years settings. It can help you develop expertise and progress into roles such as room lead or setting management.
Can you lead a class in a maintained school with EYTS?
You can work in maintained settings with EYTS. However, leading classes for children aged three and over in maintained nursery schools or nursery classes within maintained schools requires QTS or a suitable international teaching qualification.
EYTS alone does not allow you to lead these classes.
Can you gain QTS to teach older children?
Some Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers offer a Primary QTS route for ages three to seven. This may be the better option if you plan to work mainly with children aged three and over.
Guidance is available through official teacher training information.
How do you apply for EYITT?
- Visit the Best Practice Network EYITT page and use the Apply button to create an application account.
- Complete the application form and upload the required documents.
- If you meet the eligibility criteria, attend a remote suitability interview.
- Wait for the application decision, which is typically made within three weeks.
- If successful, receive an electronic contract and a welcome pack explaining your next steps.