An Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is a full-time three-year academic programme which combines 60% on the job professional development and 40% undergraduate study. You will study how young children learn and develop, with a particular focus on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) early identification and support. The award for successful completion of this programme is a BA (Hons) Early Years Education with SEND and SLCN, with Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
Apprentices will be employed by an early years setting in a full-time capacity throughout the three years. You can apply as a new or experienced practitioner. You will need paid employment in an eligible early years setting and an employer who can support your training and placements.
An indicative week for the apprentice will be 3-days at their setting and 2-days ‘off the job’ at DMU; this may vary depending on university term times.
Each apprentice will be assigned a setting-based mentor, a SCITT lead mentor and an academic mentor. Apprentices will have access to the extensive academic and pastoral support services at DMU.
Apprentices must find their own employment in an early years setting and are not eligible to apply until an employing school can provide evidenced support for the apprenticeship.
Graduates of the EYTDA will have Early Years Teacher Status and will be eligible to apply directly for jobs as teacher in a nursery or early years setting. EYTS is also recognised in academies, free schools and independent schools.
For more information please visit Become an early years teacher | Get Into Teaching GOV.UK.
To express your interest and find out more please email us at earlyyears.education@dmu.ac.uk.
If you are not employed in a setting but have a voluntary role in an early years setting, you can find out more about our FdA Early Years Education with SEND and SLCN.
Online open evenings
Please complete this form to receive a link to our next online open evening on Wednesday 9 December 4-5pm.
Alternatively, come and meet us in person at any of the DMU open days.
University-based study will be 2-days per week, taught in four blocks of 9-weeks, over school-style autumn, spring and summer trimesters, with one module studied at a time.
All apprentices will study the same core modules in Years 1 and 3.
Apprentices will have the opportunity to undertake some optional modules alongside core modules in Year 2.
Delivery will be through lectures, workshops, and seminars, supported by online material.
N.B The information below is a guideline only and course content is subject to validation.
Course content
The indicative curriculum builds from the foundations of early years practice to more advanced teaching and leadership. You will return to SEND, SLCN and safeguarding throughout the three years, applying what you learn to your work with children.
In your first year, you will study child development and the role of play. You will also explore how to support children’s wellbeing and create inclusive learning environments, using research to inform your practice.
- Reflection on Practice: Personal and Professional Development
- Protecting Children in Early Education and Childhood
- Child Development: Birth to 7 Years 11 Months
- Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Early Childhood
- Promoting Positive and Inclusive Environments
- Play and Learning in Early Childhood
- Research Readiness
In your second year, you will examine different approaches to early education and take a closer look at your own practice through an action research project.
Core modules:
- Supporting Children in Early Years Education: Advanced Practice
- Current and Emerging Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education
- Action Research Project
- Reflection on Advanced Practice: Personal and Professional Development
Indicative optional choices:
- Contemporary and Global Issues in Early Education and Childhood or Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Early Years Communication
- Adverse Childhood Experiences in Early Childhood or SLCN Advanced Practice: Identification, Support, Partnership
- Outdoor Learning for Sustainability or Supporting Children in Home-Based Childcare Environments
Your final year focuses on leadership of others and improving quality of provision. You will study advanced safeguarding, children’s emerging identities and new approaches to play, alongside an extended action research project.
- Leading SEND and SLCN Provision
- Protecting Children in Early Education and Childhood: Advanced Practice
- Leadership and Management in Early Years
- Understanding Emerging Identities
- Leading Innovative Approaches to Children’s Play and Learning
- Dissertation: Extended Action Research Project
Each block or ‘module’ is assessed separately. Academic assessments are usually scheduled at the end of each block. Assessments include portfolios, presentations, essays, reports, micro-teaches, podcast, posters, CPD brochures, digital resources, policy analysis, research proposal, dissertation and creative artefacts. Relevant modules also require safeguarding training and an online safeguarding assessment. The total BA degree is 360 credits.
You will keep a Practical Reflective Evidence Portfolio (PREP), recording guided tasks, reflections and evidence of learning in your setting. You must pass the portfolio requirements for the relevant modules.
The EYTS element of the EYTDA is assessed through formal and informal observations of practice and a portfolio of evidence compiled by the student against the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the apprenticeship standard which aligns with the Early Years Teacher Standards. Your setting-based mentor will contribute observations and feedback throughout the apprenticeship. Your lead mentor and the university team will use this evidence to review your progress towards the Early Years Teachers’ Standards and identify any support needs.
Both elements of the programme must be passed for the qualification to be awarded.
The Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship at DMU is accredited by Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT. The Leicester and Leicestershire SCITT have been graded an Outstanding ITT provider by Ofsted (2023).