Funding

No Cost to Trainees and Their Settings

Course duration
Course Duration
up to 12 months

Master credits
Awards Early Years Teacher Status

Ratios
Trainees Count Towards Ratios

Dates
Eight Live
Training Days

Face-to-face events
Online Training & Setting Placements

What is Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT)?

Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is a 12-month training programme fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE), designed for graduates of any subject. 

Completion of the programme leads to achievement of the Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) making trainees fully qualified early years teachers. 

With the EYTS qualification, practitioners can teach children from birth to the age of five in various settings, including private nurseries, children's centres, and reception classes in academies and independent schools.

 

What will you learn on Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT)?

The structure of Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is designed to help trainees build on their knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and make connections across different phases of education, in order to understand the EYFS and beyond. Throughout the programme, trainees will acquire subject knowledge, professional skills and learn professional behaviours on their journey to becoming Early Years Teachers.

Below is a list of topics covered during the training days:

 

  • Training Day 1: The Effective Early Years Teacher
  • Training Day 2: Adapting Teaching for the Unique Child
  • Training Day 3: Starting Strong
  • Training Day 4: Foundations for Success
  • Training Day 5: Leading and Supporting in the Early Years
  • Training Day 6: Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Training Day 7: Unlocking Potential and Widening Opportunities
  • Training Day 8: The Reflective Early Years Teacher
  • Final Interview: EYTS recommendation

 

 

 

Who should apply for Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT)?

Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) leads to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) and is designed for individuals seeking to specialise in early childhood development and work with children from birth to five. It is suitable for:

  • Graduate practitioners working in a range of early years settings, including private nurseries, children's centres, home-based settings and reception classes in academies and independent schools
  • Graduates interested in joining the early years sector

If you are a graduate looking to enter the early years sector, please visit the page dedicated to full-time training (also known as the Graduate Entry Route).

Entry requirements

  • GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or recognised equivalent) in English, maths, and science. Equivalency exams are accepted if you do not have GCSEs
  • Bachelor's degree in any area of study
  • Right to study and work in the UK
  • Competence in spoken and written English
     

Check out our Learner Stories! 
 

Read all EYITT Learner Stories

 

"After completing EYITT I now want to become a senior or a room manager within my setting. The knowledge and experience I have gained from the course have given me the confidence to set these as my professional goals."

EYITT Graduate

 

How is Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) delivered?

Trainees attend eight virtual or Face-to-Face training days, engage in self-paced online study and gain extra experience through placements in another setting.

 

EYITT Programme Structure


  • Training days: trainees attend up to two live online or locally-facilitated training days each month
  • Placements in another setting: typically lasting 25-30 days, placements allow trainees to gain experience working with all early years age groups, including reception
  • Self-paced online study: designed to build knowledge between live sessions
  • Regular enhancement webinars: additional learning opportunities to support your development
  • Personal tutor: a dedicated tutor will guide and support you throughout your EYITT journey
  • Mentor and lead trainer: assigned within employment setting to provide additional support and guidance
  • Assessment: involves gradually building an ePortfolio, developing evidence and action plans, writing assignments, and maintaining observation records

 

 

What are the benefits of completing Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT)?

Obtaining Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) through Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) offers multiple benefits. Research shows that employing graduate-trained staff improves teaching standards and positively impacts the entire setting.

 

Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) benefits for learners

Become a qualified early years teacher

Gain Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) in just 12 months. Become a childhood development expert and make a real difference in the lives of young children.

Train for free - fully funded by the DfE

Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is fully funded by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the Government’s recovery plan. You can earn your early years teaching qualification at no cost to you or your setting.

Develop your skills and knowledge

EYITT equips trainees with the skills to create engaging learning environments that support children’s development, ultimately improving outcomes and enhancing their life chances.

Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) benefits for settings

Upskill your existing staff

Develop your graduate practitioners into qualified early years teachers, improving teaching and learning outcomes for children at your setting.

Receive a £7,000 employer bonus

This financial incentive helps cover costs associated with supporting your trainee while on the EYITT programme. Please see here for the BPN details and visit the DfE website for funding guidance.

Boost your staff:child ratios

From the start of the training, trainees count as Level 3 practitioners. Once they achieve Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), they count at a 1:13 ratio for children aged 3+. This allows your team to care for more children while delivering exceptional education and care.

 

 

Meet The Team

Why choose Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) with Best Practice Network?

Best Practice Network is the largest provider of Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) in England, offering reliable training and support. Here’s why you should choose to study with us:

  • Experienced and trusted
    We have been delivering EYITT since its creation in 2013 and previously ran Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) from 2006, giving us nearly two decades of expertise in early years teacher training!
  • Proven results
    We have a 100% pass rate, showing our commitment to helping every trainee succeed
  • Over 2,000 successful early years teachers
    More than 2,000 trainees have gained Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) with us, making a difference in early years education
  • Flexible learning options
    Our programme is designed to fit around your schedule, with access to online learning through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), as well as the choice of local Face-to-Face or remote training days

 

Don't take our word for it! Check what our trainees and graduates say...

 

 

"Completing my Early Years Initial Teacher Training with Best Practice Network remains one of my greatest achievements. I found the course to be challenging yet inspiring."

Charlotte Reynolds | EYITT Graduate

 

To find out more about Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT), watch our webinar!

 

To be eligible for Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT), you must meet the following entry requirements set by the Department for Education (DfE):

  • GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or recognised equivalent) in English, maths, and science. Equivalency exams are accepted if you do not have GCSEs
  • Bachelor's degree in any area of study
  • Right to study and work in the UK
  • Competence in spoken and written English

Prospective EYITT candidates must attend an interview to assess their suitability and readiness for the programme. Interviews are conducted remotely via Zoom or phone call.

BPN Exclusive! FREE maths equivalency testing!

If you need an equivalency test in maths we are currently offering it for FREE to all prospective candidates who are successful at the interview and accept their conditional offer to join the September Intake of the programme.

So, if you don't have a GCSE in maths and need an equivalency test, we are the only training provider offering this test, which would normally cost between £100 - £250, free of charge to our prospective trainees.

T
his test is to join EYITT with BPN and will not be honoured by other training providers.

Why train your graduate practitioners to become Early Years Teachers?
Research has shown that employing graduate-trained staff improves teaching standards and has a positive impact on the whole setting. Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is fully-funded by the Department for Education (DfE) as a part of Government's recovery plan.

    How can you support your employee?

    Documents required at the application stage

    • Completed Employer Declaration, which we will email to you once your trainee applies for a place on the programme

    On-programme support

    • Time allocation: Employment-based trainees should have no more than a 90% timetable of direct work with children, leaving a minimum of 10% release time for planning, reading, assessments, mentor meetings, and written tasks

    Mentoring and Support

    • Mentor and lead trainer: Appoint a mentor and a lead trainer from within your setting to support the trainee. Mentors help trainees reflect on their practice, develop subject knowledge and professional skills, and monitor the use of the employer incentive to ensure it supports the trainee’s development. For full details, see the role description for mentors and lead trainers.

      Mentor and Lead Trainer Responsibilities

    Personal tutor

    Best Practice Network will assign a personal tutor to your trainee. Tutors and the Quality Assurance (QA) team may visit or arrange remote discussions with the trainee and mentor.

    Further information

    To understand the commitments of EYITT for both trainees and employers, please watch our employer webinar. For further questions, call us on 0117 920 9200.

    Mentors play a vital role in the success of EYITT trainees, guiding and supporting them on their journey to becoming Early Years Teachers. Mentors help trainees reflect on their practice and develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours necessary to achieve Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).

    Mentor responsibilities: Mentors use their experience and expertise to shape trainees into confident and effective Early Years Teachers.

     

     

    How to apply?

    1. Click the "Apply Now" button above to create an account on our application portal.

    2. Complete the application form and upload the required documents. You can save your progress and return at any time.
      Our early years team will arrange a remote interview if you meet the eligibility criteria.

    3. The Quality Assurance (QA) team will conduct the interview to ensure DfE standards are met, with decisions made within three weeks.

    4. If successful, you’ll receive an electronic contract and welcome pack with further information and next steps.

    FAQs

    Equivalency with QTS & teaching in schools

    Employment

    Specialism in early years - birth to five

    Eligibility

    Qualification Requirements

    Placements

    Funding and bursaries

    Training Sessions

    Experience and commitment

    National Early Years Teacher of the Year 2024 winners

    See the Winners' Case Studies

    How to apply

    We are accepting applications for the EYITT Spring and Autumn 2025 Intakes.

    Choose to start your EYTS training in February or September.

    Apply for EYITT 2025

     

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