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We are pleased to invite you to interview for the PGCert Early Years Practice with Early Years Teacher Status course at the University of Reading and we look forward to meeting you.

To enable you to perform to the best of your abilities, we aim to make the interview process as stress-free as possible. Please read all the information provided, very carefully.

What do I need to do to prepare for my online interview?

Do I need to provide any documents at my interview?

The only document that you will need to provide at your interview is a piece of photographic ID so your identity can be verified (your passport, driving licence photocard, or ID card). You will need to hold this up to the camera, so please have this to hand at the start of your interview.

What will happen on the day of my interview?

The format of the interview session will be as follows:

  • Introduction
  • Short presentation and interview
  • Written task

Short presentation

Please be prepared to deliver a 5-minute presentation at your interview on this subject:

'What are the three key qualities you believe are the most important for an Early Years Teacher to have?'

Interview

The interview questions will focus on the following:

  • Your motivations for becoming an Early Years Teacher.
  • Your understanding of safeguarding.
  • Your own values and ethics regarding working with babies and young children aged birth to five years.
  • Your ability to reflect on and analyse your own experience in the context of your development as a trainee teacher.
  • Your awareness of the Teachers' Standards (Early Years) and relevance to your own development.

There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions at the end of your interview.

Written task

At the end of your interview, a written task will be sent to you via email. You will need to complete the written task within 30 minutes and return it via email. Further information about the written task will be provided at the end of your interview. This will include the following details:

  • The title for the written task
  • Instructions on how to complete the written task
  • The email address that you will need to return the written task to, once completed.

Please let us know if any adjustments are needed for you to access this task.

Who will interview me?

Your interview will be conducted by two tutors from the Institute of Education.

Questions?

We are looking forward to meeting you at your interview. In the meantime, if you have any questions or if you require any assistance in relation to your interview, please contact the Admissions Support team.

We are fully committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our admissions and interview processes. If you would like to request any specific requirements or adjustments around accessibility for your interview, please contact the Admissions Support team. Please rest assured that requesting reasonable adjustments or having special requirements will not affect the outcome of the interview or our decision on whether you are offered a place on the course.