Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Teacher Birth to 5 leading to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) Kingston University

Why choose this course?

This employment-based course provides intensive specialist training, covering babies, toddlers and preschool children, to become an early years teacher in one year, with Early Years Teacher Status.

This course will enable you to become an effective, inclusive and evidence-informed teacher. At the heart of our course is a commitment to personalising your journey to Early Years Teacher Status. We'll help you to grow in confidence and competence by providing you with outstanding support as you train.

You'll find a supportive learning environment at the University. This will help you develop a deep understanding of the early year curriculum and acquire a range of teaching methods, based on the latest research in education. We model good teaching as we train you, so you can transfer what you've experienced into your own practice. You will benefit from an additional contrasting placement which will provide you with a breadth of experience in schools, private, voluntary and independent early years sectors.

You'll also benefit from a course that supports you in becoming a research-engaged teacher, who can use evidence to drive improvements in children's learning and well-being. Your PGCE modules form part of our Master of Research in Education, which you can continue with beyond your PGCE year.

Reasons to choose Kingston University

• This course is ideal for graduates working in an Early Years setting.
• This strongly personalised programme will support you to gain Early Years Teacher Status in one year.
• This course is currently fully funded by the government. Your employer will also have funding to enable you to attend classes one day a week and to attend alternative placement experiences.

What you will study

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 on a Friday. Placements are in an Early Years setting (minimum 10 days, which may be extended to a minimum of 20 days depending on prior experience) and a Key Stage 1 school experience. You will be fully supported by setting mentors and university tutors.

Modules

Core modules

• Professional Practice
• The Reflective Teacher
• Perspectives on policy, practice and professionalism for teachers

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

After you graduate

Roles include early years teaching, management, and running early years setting. The course can lead to a master's: credits from PGCE modules form one-third of our Education MRes.

Positions and Roles:

• Class Teacher
• Room Leader
• SENCo
• Child Protection Officer
• Health and Safety Officer
• Senior Management
• EYFS Coordinator
• Deputy Manager
• Manager
• Regional and Local Managers