Qualifications
- Do I need a degree to be accepted onto the EYTS course?
Yes. You must have a Bachelor’s degree in any subject.
- Do I need GCSEs for the EYTS programme?
Yes. You need GCSEs at least at Grade 4 (C) – or equivalent – in maths, English and science. If you don’t have a GCSE in those subjects, you can either take a GCSE course, or an equivalency test. We can accept equivalency tests.
- Do e-Q need to see my GCSE certificates?
Yes, you will need to show your original certificates to your setting/school. They will certify that they have seen the original certificates.
- Are Level 2 qualifications acceptable instead of GCSE?
No. Level 2 qualifications don’t cover the same breadth as GCSEs so are not accepted as equivalent for our ITT courses, including our EYTS programme.
- Will I be required to have a DBS check?
Yes. As you are employed, we accept the DBS confirmation from your setting/school.
Employment
- Do I have to be employed by a setting/school to apply for the EYTS Graduate Employed-Based Route?
Yes. You need to be employed by a setting/school when you start our EYTS GEB course in September 2023.
- I am a Teaching Assistant employed in a school. Can I apply for the EYTS course?
Yes, if you have a Degree and GCSEs in maths, English and science at Grade 4(C) or above.
- I am employed in a private nursery. Can I apply for the EYTS GEB programme.
Yes, if you have a Degree and GCSEs in maths, English and science at Grade 4 (C) or above.
Funding
- Do I have to pay for your EYTS course?
No. The DfE funds the EYTS programme, and a £7000 employer incentive goes to your setting/school to contribute towards your employer’s costs during your training. The £7000 can be used, for example, your supply cover, salary enhancements, National Insurance and additional training costs and other overheads.
- Will I be eligible for a bursary while on the EYTS GEB course?
No.
The Programme
- Is the EYTS GEB course part-time?
Yes. The EYTS GEB route is part-time. The training and placements on the course are alongside your employment in your setting/school.
- Can I stay in my setting for the whole course?
No. To gain EYTS, you need to have experience of teaching and care in at least two settings (one of which can be your own setting/school), to cover the age range 0-5. You will need to have a placement in a reception class, with experience of knowledge of KS1 and KS2.
- How long are the placements?
You will spend 20 days (normally mornings) in two blocks of 10 days, in a school where you will teach phonics and maths in a reception class, and gain knowledge and experience in KS1 and KS2. You may also need a placement in another setting to have experience of teaching children 0-5, unless you have babies, toddlers and young children in your own setting, in which case you will need to teach each age group in your setting with the placement in a reception class.
- How much study time will I have?
DfE guidance says that a trainee should work no more than 90% of a full-time contract, with the other 10% allocated to training and study. This means that all trainees should be granted a half day per week of release time – which can be taken as a day each fortnight preferred.
Employment with an EYTS qualification
- When I have EYTS, where can be employed as a teacher?
When you have EYTS, you can work in all private, voluntary and independent (PVI) early years settings. You can also work in free schools, academies and independent school that can employ teachers without QTS. NB EYTS does not allow you to lead teaching in pre-school nurseries and in reception classes in maintained schools.
- What is the pay scale for Early Years Teachers with EYTS?
There isn’t a pay scale for Early Years teachers. Teachers with EYTS do not come under the Teachers’ Pay and Conditions which means that settings, including maintained schools can set the salary for teachers with EYTS.
- Does EYTS qualify me to teach in a primary school?
Early Years Teachers with EYTS can teach in a reception class in a maintained (state) school, BUT they cannot be employed to lead the teaching. EY teachers with EYTS are not qualified to teach classes above Reception in maintained schools. EY teachers with EYTS can teach in independent schools and academies as unqualified teachers.
Follow the links below for more information about our Early Years Teacher Training with e-Qualitas.
Please complete the below form to submit an enquiry about our Early Years: