Early Years Initial Teacher Training: Graduate Employment Based Route

The PG Cert Professional Practice in Early Years Foundation Stage Teaching includes weekly lectures and seminars on early years theory, policy, education and care practices, closely referenced to the Teachers’ Standards (Early Years) and the professional knowledge and skills required by early years teachers. Opportunities are provided through small group supervision sessions to share ideas and reflect on your academic learning and your practice with young children with an experienced early years tutor. The PG Cert assessment has been designed to enable you to reflect on your knowledge and understanding of young children’s learning and development alongside the experiences of professional teaching practice that you gain from your role in your work place and on placement.

There are 2 components to the PG Cert which are assessed by coursework and cross referenced against the Teachers’ Standards (Early Years).

Module 1: Professional knowledge and skills for the Early Years Teacher

The academic credits for this part of the programme track the process of your professional training and your capacity to reflect on your developing role as an Early Years Teacher in leading practice with children from birth to five years.

Module 2: Work Based Learning Project

The focus of the project is on leading change within your early years placement setting by developing an aspect of professional practice.

As a Graduate Employment Based trainee we recognise that you will have unique training needs. To ensure that you have sufficient training and placement opportunities to meet all aspects of the Teachers’ Standards (Early Years), we will work with you to create an individual training plan, in consultation with your employer, to establish the pattern of your attendance and your training needs.