Early Years Education PGCert with Early Years Teacher Status

Course structure

On this programme you will spend the majority of your time in your current workplace, with two other placements working with other age ranges including at Key Stage 1. In your workplace and on your placements you will put into practice the skills you learn through your training, with regard to current research and relevant theories.

You will typically attend university for one to two days per month; there are also five induction days in September. This is in addition to placement requirements.

During university taught sessions you will engage with two masters level modules that will focus on:

• critical analysis of early years research, theory and policy
• reflecting on early years professional practice
• leading practice in early years.

These sessions will support you to reflect on and analyse your own practice, as well as develop practice within your setting. The training programme is dynamic, tailored to your professional development needs.

You will be assessed via:

• module assessment tasks such as written assignments in response to current research and policy in early years
• a formative review to determine your progress in meeting the Early Years Teachers' Standards
• a portfolio of evidence which relates to your practice against the Early Years Teachers' Standards
• direct observation of your practice.

There are no written examinations on this course.

Areas of study 

Your training may include aspects of the following:

• placement experience with the 0–5 age group including 14 days in a school at Key Stage 1 and 16 days with an alternative age range
• development and learning in the 0–5 age group
• presentation skills
• reflective practice
• leadership skills
• working with sector professionals. University-based training is supplemented by experienced and renowned researchers and outside expertise such as speech and language therapists and movement and play specialists.

Meet the team

Holly's core belief that all babies and children are unique, capable and should have access to the highest quality learning experiences extends beyond working in the Early Years to supporting learners of all ages. Her passion has developed from previous experience as a nursery employee, nanny of a child who had complex needs, teacher and EYFS leader in a primary school.

Holly completed her Diploma in Childcare and Education (NNEB) before qualifying as a teacher for children aged 3–7 years (QTS) at the University of Brighton and now works as a senior lecturer in the School of Education. Holly supports teaching on the Early Years Education PGCert with Early Years Teacher Status programme, undergraduate BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS programme, and the PGCE Primary Education programme.

Dedicated to excellence within the Early Years sector, Holly carries her enthusiasm into the EYITT Programme Leader role as well as that of Support Tutor.

Other members of the team

• Eve Lumb

Placements 

As well as gaining further experience in your early years workplace, you will have the opportunity to undertake placements in other settings, including in a school at Key Stage 1 for a minimum of two weeks.

In addition you will also undertake a work placement with an alternative age range. So, for example, if you normally work with children aged 3–5, you would have a placement working with under 3s. This placement is for two days per week for eight weeks.

At the university we have close partnerships with local schools and early years settings to support your placements. The EYITT course team will help you to arrange them and you will have the support of mentors throughout.

Why train?

How you will benefit

• Achieve a professional status (EYTS) and academic award at masters level (Postgraduate Certificate Early Years Education)
• Improve and change practice in your setting.
• Lead practice across the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Support and mentor your colleagues and others.
• Model skills and behaviours that safeguard and promote good outcomes for children.

How your setting will benefit

• Early years teachers are leaders of change and can manage and inspire those they work with.
• Early years teachers have a wealth of up to date knowledge of effective practice that they have developed through training.
• Ofsted recognises the difference graduates are making and you will be contributing to its vision for a highly skilled workforce.
• Parents may be influenced to choose a setting that employs an early years teacher over one that doesn't.

 Ofsted

In our most recent Initial Teacher Education inspection report, the University of Brighton was graded 'outstanding'.

Ofsted identified some of our key strengths as:

• the very high attainment of the majority of trainees
• the expertly designed and diverse range of programmes that respond to trainees' backgrounds, needs and interests as well as to national priorities
• the outstanding progress made by trainees as a result of training, which enables them to fulfil their potential
• inspirational teaching, tutoring and mentoring that model the best teaching and give trainees the ambition to reach the highest standards
• highly reflective trainees who demonstrate good subject knowledge and a breadth of understanding of how to teach
• an excellent range of training experiences that effectively prepare trainees to teach in a diverse society
• the excellent resources available to trainees
• leadership that is dynamic in its approach to anticipating change and solving problems
• a visionary approach to innovation and change.

Course fees

There are no fees to pay on this course. We also work in partnership with your current employer to provide training and support and offer your employer a £7,000 financial incentive to provide for your cover while you're at university and on placement.

You can find further information on the Department for Education website.

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Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

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Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton