Early years teacher (EYTS)
Level 6 · DegreeEducation and early years 2.8 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Early Years Teacher apprenticeship leads to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), qualifying you to lead education and care for children from birth to five. You will develop expert knowledge of child development, curriculum design, and leadership of early years practice while working across the birth-to-five age range. EYTS is the most senior early years professional qualification below headship and opens routes into leadership of provision.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Advanced child development and learning theory from birth to five
Curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation in the EYFS
Assessment, observation, and tracking to improve children's outcomes
Leadership of pedagogy and supporting colleagues' development
SEND, inclusion, and English as an Additional Language strategies
Working with parents and multi-agency teams as a senior professional
Safeguarding legislation and the role of the designated lead
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of the curriculum
Observe and assess children's learning to adjust provision
Model high-quality interaction and play for colleagues
Lead professional dialogue and practice development with the team
Manage SEND referrals and liaise with EHC plan coordinators
Build partnerships with families to support learning at home
Contribute to self-evaluation, improvement planning, and Ofsted preparation
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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