A fully funded route to Early Years Teacher Status

This article is brought to you by Slough Borough Council's Early Years team for the attention of all Early Years Providers.

More and more settings are training Early Years Teachers to strengthen practice across ages 0 to 5, improve consistency and show families their commitment to quality.

Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is the only route to achieving Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) and the Department for Education will pay the training costs.

  • If you manage an Early Years setting, you can put yourself or a graduate in your team through EYITT with training costs covered.
  • If you are a graduate practitioner, you can gain Early Years Teacher Status while staying in work.
  • If you are a registered childminder, you can also apply through a dedicated EYITT route, designed to fit around childminding practice while leading to the same recognised status.

Why EYITT is worth it

For settings and managers

  • Build in house expertise so strong practice is shared across the team
  • Strengthen teaching and curriculum through clear professional standards
  • Support staff retention by offering a clear progression route
  • Demonstrate commitment to quality. Settings training an Early Years Teacher receive a certificate and can promote that they have an Early Years Teacher in post

For graduate practitioners and childminders

  • Gain a widely recognised professional status in Early Years
  • Grow confidence as a lead practitioner through structured training and supported placements
  • Continue working while you train, with guidance throughout the programme

Two routes, same outcome

Graduate Employment Based route - For graduates employed in an early years setting or school. Training is completed alongside your role, with supported placements to build experience across age groups and contexts.

Childminder route (NEW!) - For registered childminders. A flexible structure that recognises the realities of childminding while meeting all EYITT training and placement requirements.

Hear from our learners

“EYITT gave me clarity, confidence and the recognition I needed as 

an Early Years teacher.”

 

Daisy completed EYITT with Best Practice Network while working in early years practice. She described it as a clear and supportive route, with structured support that helped her balance training alongside her role.

 

 

 

Support from a leading EYITT provider

Support is provided at every stage, from application and interview through to placements, training days and final assessment. Our team works closely with learners and employers to make the process clear, manageable and well supported throughout the programme. 

Best Practice Network is the largest education provider for EYITT in the UK. We work nationally with Early Years professionals, settings and registered childminders and are known for clear guidance, strong support and positive learner outcomes.

If you are eligible for EYITT or supporting a graduate in your team, you can find out more or register your interest to receive updates on upcoming webinars and programme information.