Early Years Initial Teacher Training (employment pathway) PGCE/Teacher Training

Early Years Teachers will be specialists in early childhood development and the EYFS Framework. As highly skilled graduate leaders, they will be responsible for facilitating and leading high quality professional practice in early years settings. Participants will leave the programme as reflective practitioners who work with integrity, fostering positive relationships with parents/carers and children as well as other professionals.

Students undertake modules to the value of 60 credits.

Participants will be working to a timetable of no more than 90 per cent of full time working hours and be released for training and study days. Students take three core modules (60 credits total). In addition to this, students will undertake placements in at least one other setting, in order to cover the full 0-5 age range.

Where less than 60 credits are achieved at Master’s level (level 7), but are successfully passed at undergraduate/Bachelor’s level (level 6), a Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (PgCE) will be awarded.

An additional pathway is also available for those who wish to study full-time.

• Teaching and Learning Module (level 7)
• The Action Research Module (level 7)
• Professional Practice Module (level 6)

• There are no optional modules on this programme.

Students will undertake placements in order to cover the full 0-5 age range, including 10 days in a Key Stage 1/2 placement.

The programme is delivered via a combination of taught sessions, workshops and work-based learning. The content of the programme aims to keep a careful balance between early years initiatives, educational theory and its practical application. Work-based learning means that academic knowledge, skills and understanding are clearly integrated and contextualised within the professional role of an early years practitioner.