DELIVERED BY BEST PRACTICE NETWORK
Early Years Initial Teacher Training
Train as an Early Years Teacher while continuing to work in your setting.
Delivered by Best Practice Network, this 12-month programme helps you develop your practice from birth to age 5 and work towards Early Years Teacher Status.
Duration
12 months
Format
Online, face-to-face training + placement
Certification
Early Years Teacher Status
Investment
Fully funded by the DfE
Delivery
Delivered by Best Practice Network
Early Years Initial Teacher Training
Overview
Early Years Initial Teacher Training is for graduates already working in early years settings, and for childminders in England who want to gain Early Years Teacher Status.
You’ll build on your knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, strengthen your teaching practice and develop the skills and behaviours needed to become an Early Years Teacher.
Training is delivered by Best Practice Network, Thrive’s sister company. The programme also includes a Thrive-informed educator module, delivered by Thrive trainers with support from a Best Practice Network tutor.
Early Years Initial Teacher Training
Benefits
This programme helps early years practitioners and childminders take the next step in their practice and career.
- Achieve Early Years Teacher Status
- Train while continuing in your current role
- Deepen your knowledge of early learning and child development
- Build confidence teaching and leading practice from birth to age 5
- Develop your leadership skills in an early years setting
- Gain experience across different age groups through a placement
- Complete a Thrive-informed educator module focused on behaviour, relationships and PSED
- Access tutor support, workplace mentoring and online learning throughout the programme
- Develop early years teaching and leadership in-house
- Support high-quality early education from birth to age 5
- Build staff knowledge of EYFS practice, child development and early learning
- Support practice around behaviour, relationships and Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Support career development for experienced early years staff
- Benefit from a fully funded training route, with no cost to trainees or employers
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Programme details
What you'll learn
The programme is designed to build on your existing experience of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), helping you to deepen your subject knowledge, strengthen professional skills and develop the behaviours expected on an Early Years Teacher.
- The Effective Early Years Teacher
- Adapting Teaching for the Unique Child
- Starting Strong
- Foundations for Success
- Leading and Supporting in the Early Years
- Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Unlocking Potential and Widening Opportunities
- The Reflective Early Years Teacher
What you'll gain
Successful completion of the programme leads to Early Years Teacher Status.
As an Early Years Teacher, you will be able to strengthen teaching and learning for children from birth to age 5, support high-quality EYFS practice and help lead others in your setting.
This professional recognition shows your expertise in early education and child development, and supports your next step as an early years practitioner, room leader, childminder or setting leader.
How the course works
Training is delivered through a blend of online learning, training days and workplace practice, so you can train alongside your current role.
The programme includes:
- Eight structured training days, delivered virtually or face-to-face
- Self-paced online learning between sessions
- A placement in another early years setting
- Experience across different age groups
- Enhancement webinars
- Support from a personal tutor
- Workplace mentoring
- Assessment through an ePortfolio, reflective evidence and observations
- A final recommendation for Early Years Teacher Status
Course duration: 12 months
Early Years Initial Teacher Training
Who this course is for
This programme is for graduates already employed in an early years setting, and childminders in England who want to gain Early Years Teacher Status.
It is suitable for practitioners who want to develop their teaching practice, strengthen their leadership skills and gain formal recognition for their work with children from birth to age 5.
Roles may include:
- Early years practitioners
- Room leaders
- Nursery managers
- Preschool practitioners
- Childminders
- Early years staff working in school nursery or Reception provision
Review the full eligibility requirements here.
Thrive has helped our whole school respond to behaviour differently. Staff feel more confident and children are calmer and more ready to learn.”
Teacher
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Fees & next steps
This programme is fully funded by the Department for Education, so there is no cost to you or your employer.
Employer incentives may be available. Best Practice Network can confirm what applies when you apply.
During the application process, you’ll need to provide evidence of your eligibility, so please ensure you have this ready. Unfortunately, you do not appear to be eligible for this EYITT route.Congratulations! You appear to be eligible to apply. Please click the link below to begin your application
Click below to start your application. Question 2:
Are you currently employed in an early years setting, or work as a childminder in England?
To be eligible, candidates need to:
- GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or recognised equivalent) in English, maths, and science. Equivalency exams are accepted if you do not have GCSEs.
- A bachelor's degree in any area of study.
- The right to study and work in the UK.
Competence in spoken and written English.
You’ll need GCSE Grade C/4 or above, or a recognised equivalent, in English, maths and science to apply for EYITT.
If you can’t evidence one or more of these qualifications, GCSE equivalency tests may be accepted as an alternative route to meeting the entry requirements.
Best Practice Network has partnered with A Star Equivalency to support EYITT applicants. Benefits may include discounted tests, free course access when booking all three tests and exams, and free tests for eligible BPN applicants, subject to availability.
An equivalency test result is not a GCSE qualification, but it can fulfil the same entry requirement purpose for Initial Teacher Training programmes.
Ready to apply?
Take the next step and apply for the programme today.