Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) Programme – Graduate Employment Based Route

The training route summary below sets out what you can expect from the EYITT Graduate Employment Based (GEB) route to Early Years Teacher Status – the specialist teaching status for those leading care and education of babies and young children up to the age of five

The information provided below is not intended to be exhaustive but gives you an outline of what you can expect on the GEB route and what will be expected of you and your employer.

Experience needed by the end of the EYITT programme

• A two week placement within Key Stage 1 (5-7 year olds) plus 1 day in KS2
• Experience teaching in at least two settings/schools across the birth to five age range (excluding the KS1 placement); one of these placements will be an alternative (to your employing setting) age phase placement for a minimum of 20 days across the training year.
• Three mandatory professional visit days to other contrasting/diverse settings.

Content

• Knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• The Teachers’ Standards (Early Years)
• The birth to five age range
• Progression to Key Stage 1and 2
• Ongoing review and formative assessment

The content is ‘needs led’, and builds on existing strengths:

Support

• An external mentor who will visit and observe you and support you throughout the programme, setting clear targets for your ongoing development
• Your setting-based mentor for day to day support and feedback
• Access to online resources, including a library and a personal One Drive for storing evidence throughout the programme.
• Taught programme tutors and an allocated link Lead Consultant.

Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the programme, based around an Early Years Teacher Competencies framework which aligns to the Teachers’ Standards (Early Years) which are used for summative assessment.

• A portfolio of evidence that you build throughout the programme
• Formative assessment visits by your external mentor.
• Individual development plans – reviewed and updated regularly
• Assignments and tasks, with an additional Change Project for the GEB route.
• Observation records – from the setting and your external mentor

Graduate Employment Based

Duration

• 11 months duration – part time alongside your early years’ employment. September – July

Commitment

• You will work towards Early Years Teacher Status whilst being employed in an early years setting/school
• Your working timetable should be no more than 90 per cent of the full time working hours of an Early Years Teacher (Your release time from duties will be used for study, placements in other settings and training days)
• Your employer must be in full support of your application and agree to release/support you to undertake the requirements necessary to achieve Early Years Teacher Status

Training days and meetings

• Training days normally once or sometimes twice a month
• Progress meetings within the setting/school with your external and setting mentors

What do our former Early Years trainees have to say?

“This course has greatly improved my practice and has boosted my confidence as a practitioner”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the course and feel I have learnt so much”

“ The tutors work ethic and dedication to early years was inspirational”

“After each training day I left feeling fulfilled and satisfied that I am in the right career. This is a brilliant course that I thoroughly enjoyed”

The EYITT programme was awarded Good by Ofsted in June 2018.

Click to download our Ofsted report EYITT 2018

Entry requirements

Prior to starting their training all entrants to Early Years teacher training must:

• Be employed in a setting offering Early Years Foundation Stage (0-5) for a minimum of 22.5 hours per week.
• Have a degree from a UK Higher Education Institution; equivalent overseas qualification or a qualification recognised as equivalent to a degree.
• Have GCSE English language or literature, maths and science at grade 4 / C or above or equivalent.
• Have the right to work and study in the UK for at least the duration of the course. Please note that we are not able to provide visa sponsorship.

We also recommend that you have at least 6 months employed experience in a setting offering Early Years Foundation Stage (0-5) before enrolling onto the EYITT GEB course as during your interview you will need to demonstrate you have sufficient knowledge and understanding of early years practice.

Entrants with qualifications from outside the UK must provide an equivalency statement from ENIC. Further details can be found on the ENIC Website.

If you do not hold a GCSE in English language or literature, maths or science at grade 4 / C or above or equivalent you can apply to take an equivalency test. We accept equivalency tests from:

Equivalency Testing www.equivalencytesting.co.uk

If you have taken an equivalency in the past with another provider please do contact us.

Before starting the course, you will also need:

• your employer to sign a partnership agreement confirming their support during the training period.
• an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate including the original paper certificate.

How to apply?

If you have any questions, need further information or to request an application form please contact us at scitt@catrust.co.uk

We are committed to safeguarding and child protection. As part of our selection and interview process we will undertake additional checks as required to confirm the suitability of applicants.