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Do you want to specialise in working with babies and young children? Are you looking for a qualification where you can gain experience in a wide range of settings across the children's workforce?

At the University of Reading's Institute of Education, our Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Practice will give you the skills, experience and knowledge you need to become a specialist in early childhood development.

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Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS)

You will undertake your Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Practice alongside Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). EYTS is awarded to graduates who have been judged to have met all of the Teachers' Standards (Early Years) in practice from birth to five years old.

The Teachers' Standards (Early Years) support the training, assessment and award of EYTS. EYTS is the only graduate accreditation for the early years workforce.

How to apply

Applicants will need to apply and submit their application directly through our online application system, RISIS.

Become an early years teacher

You will learn from a diverse and experienced community, benefit from outstanding facilities and well-managed placements, and develop as an early years leader.

Once you graduate, you will be qualified to work in a wide range of settings which include:

  • day-care
  • nurseries and preschools
  • academies and free schools
  • out-of-school settings and children's centres
  • home-based childcare such as childminding.

Early Years pathways

There are three pathways into Early Years teacher training available from the Institute of Education:

Graduate Entry pathway

If you have an undergraduate degree but have no experience in working with young children, you can enrol on our full-time PGCEYP (Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Practice) course and gain EYTS (Early Years Teacher Status).

Find out more about gaining EYTS through the Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Practice route

Graduate Entry Employment-based pathway

You can enrol on the Graduate Employer Course if you have an undergraduate degree and are employed within an Early Years setting (for example, in a day nursery). You will complete the PGCEYP and gain EYTS whilst continuing working.

Find out more about gaining EYTS through the Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Practice route

Assessment Only

Already teaching but need EYTS? If you are a graduate, have significant experience and need to obtain EYTS (Early Years Teacher Status), our Assessment Only route can help you.

Find out more about gaining EYTS through the Assessment Only route


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Teacher training events

Come to a Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education event. These events cover all routes into teaching for Early Years, Primary and Secondary Postgraduate programmes.

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Foundation Degree in Children's Development and Learning

If you do not have A levels but work within a related early years (birth to 5 years) or educational (4 to 11 years) setting for at least 2.5 days a week and wish to develop professionally, this is the perfect course for you.

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BA Children's Development and Learning

Do you want to develop your skills in the children's workforce with a vocational degree that relates directly to your work?

You must complete the Foundation Degree in Children's Development and Learning before enrolling on the BA course.