Choosing the Right EYITT Route: A Thrive-Informed Pathway for Early Years Professionals

In early years, choosing to undertake Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is a significant step. It often marks a move into greater responsibility - not only in leading learning, but in shaping the experiences, development and wellbeing of the children in your care.

The role of the Early Years Teacher has evolved. Starting points are changing, transitions are more important than ever, and more children need support to develop the foundations that enable them to access learning.

It’s not just about delivering strong teaching practice, but about understanding each child, building secure relationships, and recognising that a strong foundation in personal, social and emotional development (PSED) is critical for setting children up for success.

  

Why Thrive recommends this EYITT route

At Thrive, we recommend the EYITT programme delivered by our sister company, Best Practice Network (BPN) – an award-winning training provider with a strong track record in developing early years professionals.

What makes this route stand out is that it combines high-quality Initial Teacher Training with a unique additional element: a dedicated Thrive-informed educator module.

This means that alongside working towards Early Years Teacher Status, practitioners also begin to develop specialist knowledge in personal, social and emotional development – an area that is critical to children’s long-term outcomes.

Grounded in Thrive’s evidence-based approach, this module introduces a way of understanding behaviour, development and relationships that many settings are actively seeking to embed.

It’s this combination – trusted training delivery and recognised expertise in emotional development – that makes this a route we confidently recommend.

  

A unique addition: becoming a Thrive-informed educator

As part of this EYITT route, you’ll complete a Thrive-informed educator module embedded within the wider programme, leading to Thrive-informed educator status alongside achieving the Early Years Teacher qualification.

It offers a meaningful introduction to Thrive principles – giving you insight into a relational, trauma-informed approach that you can begin applying in your everyday practice, which can further be progressed to Thrive Licensed Practitioner status.

Through this element of the programme, you’ll explore:

• How behaviour communicates underlying need
• The impact of early experiences, including trauma, on development
• The central role of relationships in supporting learning and wellbeing
• Practical ways to create emotionally safe, structured environments

For many practitioners, this learning provides a powerful shift in perspective – helping them to respond with greater confidence, empathy and consistency.

Delivered by experts

• The EYITT qualification is delivered by Best Practice Network, drawing on their extensive experience in training early years professionals
• The Thrive-informed educator module is delivered by experienced Thrive trainers
• A BPN tutor is present throughout to support, facilitate and help you connect your learning across the programme

This collaborative approach ensures that your learning is both rigorous and relevant – combining strong teacher training with specialist insight into children’s emotional development.
 

What this means for your day-to-day practice

This combination of EYITT and Thrive-informed learning equips you with skills that go beyond the basics of teaching.

You’ll be better prepared to:

Respond rather than react
Developing self-awareness and self-regulation helps you remain calm and intentional, even in challenging situations.

Build strong relationships
You’ll understand how to create trust and connection, particularly for children who need it most.

See behaviour differently
Rather than focusing on behaviour at surface level, you’ll begin to understand the needs driving it – and respond more effectively.

Create a sense of belonging
You’ll learn how routines, structure and consistency can support children to feel safe, secure and ready to learn.

A pathway for further professional development

For those who are inspired to take this further, becoming a Thrive-informed educator can be the first step in a wider professional journey.

Many practitioners choose to go on to train as a Thrive Licensed Practitioner, where they deepen their knowledge, gain access to Thrive’s full assessment and action-planning tools, and embed the approach more fully within their setting.

In this way, the EYITT programme doesn’t just support you to qualify – it opens the door to continued professional growth.

Taking the next step in your early years career

Choosing the right EYITT route is important – not just for individual practitioners, but for the wider setting too.

For practitioners, this programme offers the opportunity to progress your career while developing a deeper understanding of children’s behaviour, relationships and wellbeing.

For settings, it supports the development of a more reflective, emotionally aware workforce – strengthening relationships, building a shared understanding of behaviour, and improving outcomes for children.

Whether you’re an individual looking to take the next step, or a setting developing future Early Years Teachers, this Thrive-recommended route offers training that reflects the realities of working with young children today.

By choosing a programme delivered by Best Practice Network and endorsed by Thrive, you’re selecting a pathway that combines strong teaching practice with a deeper understanding of children’s development and emotional needs.

Explore the Early Years Initial Teacher Training