Pen GreenResearch BasepengreenResearch, Development and Training Base

pengreenenquiries@northamptonshire.gov.uk

pengreen.org

with Pen Green and the University of Bedfordshire.

Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Teaching

Gain your Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE)and Early Years Teacher Status

Early Years Birth to Five with recommendation for Early Years Teacher Status

Studying with Pen GreenPen Green Research, Training and Development Base is widely recognised by practitioners and official bodies as an exemplary centre for early years professional development. Based in our outstanding, integrated early years centre, this course will give you the opportunity to benefit from the activities and practices in our nursery school, early years provision and children’s centre.

Community LearningOur courses offer a unique, community learning experience. We offer small, intimate cohorts and personalised support. On study weeks, students are encouraged to work in pairs and small groups, and to share experiences with their peers.

Staff and SupportThe programmes are taught by an enthusiastic, experienced team of tutors from Pen Green. Tutors work as an integrated team, most have roots in early childhood education, primary education, social work, health care and research. All tutors are intent on supporting you as an independent learner and seeing you succeed and grow in confidence, knowledge and understanding as well as develop your practice working with children and their parents.

This course leads to a postgraduate qualification in teaching young children from birth to 5. It develops the skills and knowledge required to become an outstanding Early Years teacher and leader within a breadth of Early Years settings. The course will give you a deep understanding of the complexity of early education, child development, and the developing child in the context of essential learning that takes place in babies and young children from birth to 5. The course develops clear understanding of essential learning processes of babies and young children preparing them for their journey into lifelong learning. This will give you significant opportunities to develop your academic and professional interests into early years teaching and be accredited with Early Years Teacher Status.

On meeting the required professional standards you will be recommended to the Department for Education for the award of Early Years Teacher Status. This will qualify you to teach in a range of early years settings including children centres, pre-school, nursery, and schools (primarily Free Schools and Academies).

Why study this course

Early Years Initial Teacher TrainingPostgraduate Certificate in Education

Early Years Initial Teacher TrainingPostgraduate Certificate in Education

The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Early Years Birth to 5) offers a unique route into achieving Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). The course promotes flexibility in your own career pathway and provides opportunities to achieve a recognised birth to 5 teaching qualification. It enhances the professional requirements for EYTS by giving you extensive experience in a variety of work based settings including children centres, pre-school, and nursery. In addition, a transitional school experience at key stage 1 (ages 5 to 7) will be undertaken as part of the course. This offers a holistic experience of the developing and learning child from birth to aged 5. The course focuses on the importance of teaching and learning at this critical stage of a child progressing through the Early Years Foundation Stage to their primary school provision. In addition, the PGCE provides you with skills, knowledge and understanding in developing yourself as a leader in high quality early years settings.The course consists of the following units:• The Early Years Teacher• Leading High Quality Practice in the Early Years• Early Years Placement Experience (Employment Pathway)

Educational Aims

You will take part in a selection process designed to assess your suitability to become a teacher of young children from birth to 5. All applicants for an EYTS programme are interviewed as part of the admissions process. Anyone admitted to an early years ITT programme, must be deemed suitable to become an early years teacher. Prior to the start of the course you will need:

• a minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent• a standard equivalent to a grade 4 (or GCSE A to C) in the GCSE examinations in

English, mathematics and a science subject• to have IELTS with an average score of at least 6.0 if your first language is not English

and you do not have GCSE grade C in English • to be employed in an appropriate early years UK setting, working with children

between the ages of 0 to 5• an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check and all other

safeguarding checks required at the time of application• to have passed the professional skills tests in English and Mathematics

You will be assessed through a range of formative and summative tasks, including presentations, portfolios, development of resources, research proposals, written tasks and a research project in an area of particular interest to you. As part of your Early Years placement, you will be observed teaching and working with young children by your mentor and University tutor. This will support your development as an Early Years teacher and allow you to focus on ensuring that you meet the necessary Early Years Teacher Standards.

The passing of all three units will mean that you can be recommended you to the Department for Education for EYTS. In exceptional circumstances, approved by the Head of School, it may be possible for recommendation for EYTS to be made without completion of the academic units. This option is not an automatic entitlement.

Entry Requirements

Assessment

Early Years Initial Teacher TrainingPostgraduate Certificate in Education

Early Years Initial Teacher TrainingPostgraduate Certificate in Education

Pen GreenResearch BasepengreenResearch, Development and Training Base

pengreenenquiries@northamptonshire.gov.uk

pengreen.org

QualificationPostgraduate Certificate in

Education Early Years Birth to Five with recommendation for Early

Years Teacher Status

Length1 year

LocationPen Green Research

Development and Training Base, Corby,

Northamptonshire NN17 1AG

FeesFully funded if criteria is met*

Funding InformationFunding of £14,000 is

available, which covers course fees of up to £7,000.

The remaining £7,000 is a contribution towards the costs

incurred by your employer, such as supply cover**

AttendanceThis is a one year programme is delivered in study blocks at

Pen Green Research Base.

Induction Days 10th –11th September 2020

Study Week 1 14th–18th September 2020

Study Week 225th–29th January 2021

Study Week 3 21st -23rd April 202l

OverviewEarly Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is teacher training focused on working with children across the birth to five age range. Early years teachers specialise in early childhood development and learning. Their expertise, knowledge and understanding helps to provide young children with the best start in early years settings and schools. As an Early Years Teacher you will be responsible for organising, delivering and leading practice in your own workplace, working closely with families and other professionals. This course is delivered at Pen Green Research Base and accredited by the University of Bedfordshire.

Is this course for you? This is a one year postgraduate course for graduates working in an early years setting who require further experience to demonstrate the Teachers’ Standards (Early Years). Upon completion you will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate and will be recommended for Early Years Teacher Status; a government endorsed accreditation to teach children aged 0-5 years. It is a part-time, employment-based route.

Why become an early years teacher? Research shows that the quality of early education is higher when practice is led by specially trained graduate teachers. As an early years teacher you’ll make a lasting impact on children’s well-being and development, using your expertise, knowledge and understanding to provide children with the best start to their education.

How to applyPlease see online for more details or contact us to request an application form: pengreenenquiries@northamptonshire.gov.uk01536 443435

Pen GreenResearch BasepengreenResearch, Development and Training Base

Postgraduate Certificate in Early Years Teaching Early Years Birth to Five with recommendation for Early Years Teacher Status

*Please see www.gov.uk/guidance/early-years-initial-teacher-training-funding-guidance**Subject to DfE Confirmation