Guide to Early Years Teacher Status: Moving 'up a notch'

Expressions of interest to study for the new Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) are already healthy, according to those training providers gearing up to offer the programme in September. Meanwhile, the eight providers who are already delivering it report positive student feedback and optimism that the status will offer more career potential than its predecessor, Early Years Professional Status.

The new Early Years Teachers will be trained to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage for children from birth to age five, although they will understand how early education links to education beyond age five and into Key Stages 1 and 2.

Their role is to be graduate leaders, responsible for organising and leading high-quality teaching practice in early years settings, with a view to making a lasting, positive difference to children's well-being, learning and development. Early Years Teacher Status will be seen as equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), although it will not have QTS itself. This means that those with EYTS will not be automatically accredited to work in state-maintained settings or achieve QTS pay scales.