Early Years Teacher Birth to 5 leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) PGCE
Subject and course type
- Education and Teaching
- Postgraduate
Kingston University’s Early Years Teacher PGCE course offers intensive specialist training for working with babies, toddlers, and preschool children. This course is fully funded by the government and conducted part-time while you work.
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Transform your passion for education into a career
This course will enable you to earn Early Years Teacher Status in one year, alongside your existing work.
Every teacher shapes young lives and minds. Early Years Teachers in particular can play a pivotal role in the development of their students, aged from birth to 5 years old.
The Early Years Teacher PGCE curriculum at Kingston University involves teaching methods based on the latest research. Topics include safeguarding, early literacy and maths, forest school and special educational needs and disability (SEND). There will also be personalised support available to help you with your studies.
Your University Tutor and Setting-Based Tutor will work together to help you become a research-engaged teacher. Pursue new job roles with confidence, equipped to use evidence to enhance children’s learning and wellbeing.
The lecturers are fully aware of the content of the course and have always been able to explain it to students thoroughly. They are very approachable and are always available to meet with students on a one-to-one.
Why choose this course
On this course you will develop into an effective, inclusive, and evidence-informed teacher. Our course focuses on personalising your path to Early Years Teacher Status, providing exceptional support to build your confidence and competence throughout your training.
The course is delivered by experienced professionals at our Kingston Hill campus, which features excellent facilities. When studying part-time, we recognise the importance of stepping away from your professional work. Our campus offers inspiring study locations, including the Nightingale Centre, a modern library with extended hours, a café, and zoned study areas.
We have several teaching rooms designed to replicate real classrooms. Each room focuses on a specific subject, such as art or science, and is fully equipped with the facilities you need. These spaces allow you to practise your lessons in a realistic setting before delivering them in a school environment.
You’ll also have access to a wealth of specialist education resources, including books, journals, and online materials. As well as computers and our innovative virtual learning platform, Canvas.
This PGCE is accredited by the Department for Education (DfE) for the purpose of delivering initial teacher training programmes to achieve Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
Course content
You will study the Early Years curriculum and teaching methods based on the latest research. Topics include safeguarding, early literacy and maths, forest school and special educational needs and disability (SEND). Personalised support will help you with your study.
Sessions are for one full day a week, usually a Friday. Placements are in an Early Years setting (minimum 10 days, which may be extended to minimum 20 days depending on the age-range experience in your employed setting) and a Key Stage 1 school experience. You will be fully supported by setting tutors and university tutors.
Modules
Core modules
0 credits
Non-credit bearing module
This module focuses on developing your ability to teach, assess and undertake your professional responsibilities in your chosen phase of education. It is part based at the University, where lectures, seminars and online learning will provide you with research, theory and practice based insights into effective learning and teaching. It is largely based upon your practice in school and settings, where you receive formal training, experience of working alongside professionals, experience of being the lead practitioner in a classroom/setting and experience of the wider aspects of being a teacher.
30 credits
This module introduces you to theories of reflective practice and the value and purpose of reflection for teachers. This will enable you to develop in-depth understanding of how you reflect in order to identify issues and develop solutions in your professional settings.
The main features of the module are critical explorations of factors that affect how children develop physically, socially and as learners. You will critically analyse issues relevant to your current practice, considering your own position as an effective teacher.
Through completion of a reflective journal during the module, you will develop critical, reflective and reflexive skills to inform peer and colleague discussion within a learning community. You will be encouraged and supported to challenge and develop your professional practice.
30 credits
This module enables you to locate yourself as an emerging professional within wider discourses about teaching as a profession. It allows you to evaluate your own identity as a professional and reflect on the values that you and the wider profession hold. You will critically analyse discussions and debates which affect classroom practice. These debates will focus on specific areas to exemplify wider issues in education. The focus of these discussions will be on inclusive teaching and learning and the legislative frameworks which provide codes of practice.
A key focus of the module is to develop your ability to make sense of education research and to apply this in the context of your school or setting.
The course has provided me with the knowledge, skills and confidence to find a new post with better conditions of employment. This in turn has immensely affected my quality of life in a very positive way.
Career opportunities
This course opens the door to a variety of career options. These include roles in early years teaching, management, and running an early years setting. This course also lays the groundwork for further academic progression which can lead to a masters degree.
Graduates leave Kingston with Early Years Teacher Status. Many have gone on to pursue a range of related careers, in roles like:
- Room Leader
- SENCo
- Child Protection Officer
- Health and Safety Officer
- Senior Management
- EYFS Coordinator
- Deputy Manager
- Manager
- Regional and Local Managers
Other graduates seek roles beyond traditional Early Years teaching. Equipped with your PGCE, you may seek to become:
- Early Years Advisor
- FE Lecturer
- HE Lecturer
- Consultant
- Ofsted Inspector
- Advisory Boards
- International Positions
The PGCE modules are part of our Master of Research in Education, which you can choose to pursue further after your PGCE year.
Teaching and assessment
University sessions are led by highly-rated lecturers and visiting lecturers who have all had successful teaching careers. Sessions are held once a week.
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking and preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS – the online virtual learning platform.
As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
You will attend university once a week. You will have a reflection task to complete each week during the first term. You will gather evidence from your workplace about how you meet the Teachers' Standards (Early Years).
Assessment typically comprises a professional development portfolio, assignments and observation of your teaching ability whilst on placement.
You will produce a portfolio of work to evidence how your practice meets the Early Years Teachers' Standards. You will receive regular feedback with targets that enable you to grow in confidence and ability. Your portfolio and teaching observations will be used as a key part of the decision to recommend you for Early Years Teacher Status.
The university liaison tutor will carry out six visits over the year to assess your teaching practice and evidence of meeting the Teachers' Standards (Early Years).
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Sessions are for one full day a week, usually a Friday.
Fees and funding
- Tuition fees are fully funded by the Department for Education.
- There is an incentive for employers towards cover release/other costs – currently £7,000.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
Courses involving placements or direct work with vulnerable groups may require a DBS check or other security checks.
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
For courses that select on application alone, applicants should normally receive an initial decision or a request for more information within four to six weeks of receipt of their application. Our admissions team will notify you of the decision by email.
Learn more about the postgraduate application process in detail.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
I wanted to further my knowledge and skills to become an early years teacher, as I have always been so passionate about supporting children's learning and development. This PGCE EYITT with Early Years Teacher Status was perfect! As a qualified Early Years Teacher, I feel I can make a significant contribution to the development and well-being of young children, helping them to achieve their full potential and preparing them for a successful future.
The course was a great transition for me to consolidate the practical and theory of being an Early Years Teacher (EYT). It has allowed me to gain a deeper insight into the different practices across various settings through engaging with other students on the course. I have been able to utilise my previous skills and qualifications in a different field with becoming an Early Years Teacher to progress to a Headteacher in an independent school.
The MA part of the course enabled me to think critically about aspects of early years and link my practice to different theories. I particularly enjoyed the 'change management project' as it enabled me to work with other practitioners at my setting to evaluate and develop our practice on risk management. Since finishing the course, I have become Room Leader of the Preschool room, which is in combination to my EYT role. This has allowed me to build my confidence in leading and managing a team of practitioners.
