Early Years Teacher Programme
Full-time, Part-time
Location • City Campus
Subject area • Childhood studies
Related subjects • Education studies
By adding to My Courses you can compare courses and create a personalised prospectus.
View profiles of students on this course
Read about how EYPS has impacted the early years sector over the past few years.
Visit the Department of Education, Childhood and Inclusion website to view profiles of the staff who teach in this subject area.
The requirements depend on the pathway you take but you need to have
• GCSE English and mathematics grade C or equivalent
• a foundation degree or HND or equivalent in a relevant subject
• a current Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as Criminal Records Bureau) enhanced disclosure check
• the right to work and study in the UK for at least the full duration of your pathway
plus
• work in a private nursery, early years centre, pre-school, children’s centre or be part of a childminding network
or
• have graduated recently with an honours degree and need greater practical experience
If English is not your first language you need an IELTS score of at least 6.5.
Applications are welcomed from underrepresented groups in early years.
6 months part-time
12 months part-time
12 months full-time
To apply for this course download this application form (.doc 175KB).
Return completed application forms to EYPS administration, Charlotte McGuire, Sheffield Hallam University, 10101 Arundel Building, City Campus, Sheffield, S1 2NE or e-mail C.McGuire@shu.ac.uk
2013/14 academic year
Fully funded places are available for applicants currently working in private, voluntary and independent early years settings, children's centres, childminders and maintained settings.
Your employer may receive support with supply cover for the time you are away from your workplace undertaking training.
A bursary is available to applicants undertaking the Graduate Entry Pathway.
Self-funded options are available if you are not eligible for funding. Contact us for details.
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/funding
2013/14 academic year
Contact us for self funding course fees.
2014/15 academic year
Contact us for self funding course fees.
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
Assessment involves a setting visit and completing written tasks. There are no examinations.
This nationally recognised award recognises your expertise as a practitioner and professional leader.
Paul Smith
EYPS graduate (GEP)
'I needed to return to England and re-enter the early years workforce but so much had changed in the preceding 5 years I had worked abroad. I was directed to EYPS by an ex-colleague and decided that it was a good way to catch-up on all the changes and refresh my knowledge and skills ready for employment.
'I learnt how to apply my existing leadership and management skills into an early years setting by using a much more practitioner-based approach. I feel the skills around parental involvement and working with outside agencies were also provided by EYPS training.
'I gained my current role whilst still training as an EYP so EYPS directly impacted on this.
'I had a great time studying at Sheffield Hallam. Staff members were consistently professional and resources were always appropriate and available. I also felt very well supported throughout the course and have recommended it to others already.'
Gillian Christie
EYPS graduate (GEP)
'EYPS has influenced every part of my practice as it trains you to try and provide the best possible experiences for children and to develop high quality provision. It also helps you to identify other areas for improvement and constantly think about ways to improve practice.'
Louise Slazak
EYPS graduate (UPP) and manager at Granby Howard Nursery, Rotherham
Why did you choose to study at Sheffield Hallam?
'Living and working in Rotherham, Sheffield Hallam was an ideal and convenient campus for me.
Why did you choose to study your particular course?
'Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) will extend my professional development further and complement my role as a nursery manager. As I work in a private nursery, I work with children aged from birth to five years. This allows me to demonstrate my personal practice and my ability to lead the practice of others. I recently completed the Foundation Degree in Early Years and then progressed to the BA Honours Early Childhood Studies top-up degree as part of the EYPS long pathway.
What are the highlights of the course?
'EYPS allows me to build on my past experience and develop new skills. It gives me the confidence and ability to lead practice in the workplace and to inspire other practitioners around me. This helps to create an environment where we develop a high quality provision. The course has given me the opportunity to spend more time with the children and staff at my nursery, which I have enjoyed. This has helped to build and strengthen relationships.
Is there anything you struggled with?
'Studying and working full-time has been a struggle at times, as well as trying to juggle family and social life. As I was also studying for the BA Honours degree, I found time management was a real challenge.
How has the course helped you?
'It has given me increased confidence in myself. My knowledge has been extended and I feel much more motivated in my work. The course has allowed me to become a reflective leader.
What do you hope to do in the future?
'Have a rest! I will continue to develop my provision, my personal professional development and that of others.
Is there any advice you'd give to students taking this course?
'Be prepared for a lot of hard work and dedication. It is not something you should take on as an easy option. To complete EYPS, it is ideal if you already work with children within a setting. I would advise you to organise and manage your time effectively - don't leave things till the last minute.'
Tracy Wood
EYPS graduate (UPP) and day care manager at Valley Children’s Centre, Rotherham
'EYPS has impacted my practice in many ways. I have been able to strengthen my leadership ability and more importantly for me I have engaged in play more with young children. This has enabled me to act as a positive role model to both staff and volunteers and impacted on their practice resulting in improved outcomes for children.'
Profiles
Paul Smith
EYPS graduate (GEP)
Gillian Christie
EYPS graduate (GEP)
Louise Slazak
EYPS graduate (UPP) and manager at Granby Howard Nursery, Rotherham
Tracy Wood
EYPS graduate (UPP) and day care manager at Valley Children’s Centre, Rotherham
Evaluation of the Graduate Leader Fund
The transformation fund was developed in 2006 to provide funding for local authorities with the aim of developing a graduate-led workforce. This funding was superseded by the Graduate Leader Fund in 2008.
The Evaluation of the Graduate Leadership Fund report was commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) and published in 2011. This assessed the impact of this funding on early years provision and found a number of significant improvements to quality in settings who employed a graduate leader with Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).
In summary the report showed
• Overall quality improvement for pre-school children.
• EYPs were successfully involved in leading the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Particular improvements in quality were found in social interactions, language and communication and child-initiated learning.
The report recommends continued support for the development of a graduate-led workforce to continue to raise standards and quality in early years settings.
Staff profiles
Visit the Department of Education, Childhood and Inclusion website to view profiles of the staff who teach in this subject area.
