Training and support for Early Years practitioners

Saffron Teaching School Hub offers training and support for Early Years practitioners, including the new funded National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership and the Early Years Initial Teacher Training programme which leads to Early Years Teacher status.


What do we offer for Early Years practitioners in the Saffron Teaching School Hub area?

Webinar on 13 July - Supporting Practitioner Development in Early Years Settings

We are hosting a free webinar for Early Years practitioners on Wednesday 13 July 2022 from 5.00 - 6.15 p.m on Zoom.

This webinar will be the first in an ongoing series designed to support Early Years settings in accessing the best quality professional development for their staff, including access to free training and resources.

In this first seminar we will explore:

  • Best practice in early number development
  • Evidence informed practice – resources and support from the Education Endowment Foundation
  • We will also provide further information, and answer your questions, about the NPQEYL and EYITT programmes

To book a place on this webinar click here: https://forms.office.com/r/45r7tjLJVJ

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Achieving Early Years Teacher Status - Early Years ITT (EYITT) programme

Essex Primary SCITT provides the one year, DfE funded EYITT programme to settings across the whole Saffron Teaching School Hub region. This programme and qualification is available to graduate Early Years professionals and leads to the award of Early Years Teacher Status. Both full time Graduate Entry (GER) and part-time Graduate Employment Based (GEB) routes are offered. Not only are EYITT tuition fees covered by the DfE, but for the GEB route, employment settings also receive a significant financial incentive to support the trainee to complete the programme. Those on the Graduate Entry route also receive a personal bursary.

Early Years Teachers (EYTs) are key to raising quality across the early years’ sector. Combining their experience with the high-quality training programme, EYTs develop as specialists in early childhood development and learning, able to lead practice in a range of settings and model the skills and behaviours which promote the best outcomes for children. They are ‘change agents’ for improving practice and delivering best practice within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Applications are now open for the 2022-23 cohort for both GEB and GER.

For more information visit: Our training programmes - Essex Primary SCITT

"The tutors were very knowledgeable in their area the days were all so informative. The abundance of resources and ideas that they supplied have been really useful." EYITT Trainee

"Trainees are highly successful. Many have gained promotion and leadership positions because of studying for the EYTS qualification.” Ofsted 2018

Delivering the new National Professional Qualification for Early Years Leadership (NPQEYL)

Saffron Teaching School Hub is a local delivery partner for the new Early Years Leadership NPQ which will be introduced by the DfE from September 2022.

The new NPQ has been developed for all Early Years practitioners in England who are qualified to Level 3 or higher who are, or are aspiring to be:

  • Managers of private, voluntary and independent nurseries
  • Headteachers of school-based or maintained nurseries
  • Childminders with leadership responsibilities e.g. employing an assistant

It provides DfE accredited training and support to develop or improve the skills and capabilities needed to lead an Early Years setting, and work with colleagues to ensure the needs of all the children at that setting are met. You can read the full framework for this qualification here:

National professional qualifications frameworks: from autumn 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

This programme is provided at NO COST to qualifying settings and schools in 2022-23.

Further information about this exciting CPD opportunity can be found here:

Saffron Teaching School Hub - Teach First NPQ Programme

Applications can be made here: TF NPQEYL App Form JUNE.docx (live.com)

We want to hear from you

We are continually striving to ensure that our programme of support meets the needs of the settings and schools in our region. Let us know if you have any suggestions by contacting Tracy Goodway at tracygoodway@e.essexprimaryscitt.co.uk

Download a flyer wit h information about our Early Years training and support offer below.