BEd (Hons) Early Years Education with EYTS (Degree Apprenticeship)


Institution code	H36
Start date	September
Course length	Full Time, 3 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

The Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is open to new and experienced early years professionals employed in all Ofsted-inspected early years settings.

As per the Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship standard and apprenticeship funding rules, entrants must as a minimum:

GCSE Equivalent	Level 3	Experience
Achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4* in the GCSE (or iGCSE) examinations in English, mathematics and science. Equivalents to grade 4 GCSE (such as Functional skills in maths and English) are not permitted	Hold a Level 3 qualification which is not required to be a full and relevant early years qualification	Be employed or starting to work in a paid position in an early years setting offering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

You must also have lived in the UK for 3 years by the time the course begins and must have the right to work full time for the duration of the course.

About the course

Final Award: BEd (Hons) Early Years Education with EYTS

This level 6 early years teacher degree apprenticeship has been developed in collaboration with employers to meet the national ambition of having an early years teacher in every setting. It offers a unique opportunity to gain both a full honours degree and Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) while working and earning. The programme blends in-depth study of child development with practical experience, equipping apprentices with the professional knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to teach and lead in early years or school settings at level 6.

You’ll graduate as a confident, knowledgeable, and reflective practitioner, ready to lead high-quality early years provision and make a lasting impact on young children’s lives.

Throughout the programme, apprentices benefit from strong partnerships with employers, dedicated mentor support, and a rich, safe, and supportive learning environment with excellent off-the-job training opportunities.

Why choose this course?

At Herts, we have over 25 years' experience in successfully preparing early years specialists for the workforce
Co-designed with employers, sector leaders, and experts by experience, this apprenticeship reflects the real needs of the early years workforce. It blends academic learning with hands-on practice to prepare you for success as both a skilled practitioner and a effective leader
You’ll be taught by a team of dedicated lecturers with rich expertise in early years education. They’ll support your development both academically and professionally, alongside a mentor based in your workplace, ensuring strong links between theory and practice
You will benefit from a weekly face-to-face teaching session on campus, in addition to workplace-based tasks. Our bespoke early childhood simulation room has been designed to reflect an authentic early years classroom where you can experiment, reflect and prepare for practice in a safe, supportive environment.

What will I study?

Whilst you train to be an early years teacher, you will study a range of modules which incorporate theoretical knowledge and understanding with the practical application of skills and behaviours in your workplace.

Key areas of study include:

Child Development and Learning: Explore theories of how young children grow, learn, and form relationships, applying this understanding to support holistic development from birth to eight years
Pedagogy and Curriculum Leadership: Examine evidence-based approaches to play, early literacy, and mathematics, and develop the skills to lead innovative and inclusive curriculum design
Safeguarding, Inclusion and SEND: Develop expertise in safeguarding, early identification of need, and inclusive strategies that ensure every child can participate, progress, and thrive
Professional Reflection and Leadership: Engage in reflective, research-informed practice, mentoring others and driving improvement through ethical, collaborative leadership.

At Level 4, you will establish the foundations of professional practice by developing your understanding of how children grow, learn, and thrive. Through engagement with theory, research, and observation, you'll explore how relationships, play, and pedagogy shape development and wellbeing. Feedback from assessments and tutor-led tutorials supports your reflective growth and the ongoing development of your portfolio.

At Level 5, you will deepen your professional knowledge and begin to take greater ownership of your impact on children’s learning and the wider setting. Emphasis is placed on translating theory into practice, evaluating environments, and modelling effective strategies that enhance provision and outcomes. You will continue to develop your portfolio of evidence, drawing on formative feedback, reflective analysis, and placement experience to demonstrate professional progression and readiness for the end-point assessment.

At Level 6, you will consolidate your expertise as reflective, research-informed leaders in early years practice. Through completion of an action research project and critical reflection, you will evidence your ability to lead change, evaluate impact, and sustain high-quality provision. The portfolio of evidence is finalised at this level, showcasing professional competence, leadership capability, and readiness for the end-point assessment, supported by ongoing feedback and supervision.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Foundations of Child Development and Wellbeing	30 Credits	Compulsory
Explore how strong relationships influence a child's personal, social and emotional development. In this module, you will examine attachment theory, wellbeing, and diverse perspectives on childhood. You will critically reflect on research and policy to shape your own approach to early years practice; one that nurtures secure connections and supports positive outcomes for every child.
Ethical Practice and Professional Curiosity in Safeguarding	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module develops your knowledge of statutory frameworks and professional duties in safeguarding and child protection. You will learn how to recognise and respond to risk, act appropriately to protect children from harm, and reflect on how ethical and collaborative practice underpin a safeguarding culture.
Responsive Practice: Learning Through Play and Observation	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module explores how play and enabling environments support children's communication, language, and literacy. You will learn to observe and assess play, plan inclusive experiences, and adapt your practice to meet diverse needs, promoting every child's learning, wellbeing, and development through reflective and professional approaches.
Inclusive Practice 1: Foundations for Supporting SEND in the Early Years	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module helps you develop the knowledge and confidence to identify and support children with SEND. You will learn how to interpret statutory guidance, apply inclusive and responsive strategies, and work closely with families and professionals to create enabling environments that promote every child's participation, learning, and holistic development.
Building Relationships: The Key Person and Reflective Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module helps you understand how to work in partnership with parents, carers, and other professionals while upholding professional accountability. You will develop reflective skills, apply inclusive approaches, and learn how effective teamwork and multi-agency collaboration contribute to positive outcomes for children's learning, development, and wellbeing.
Becoming a Professional: Building Your Practice Portfolio	0 Credits	Compulsory
This module enables you to showcase your developing professional knowledge, skills, and behaviours through ongoing reflection and evidence-based practice. You will create a professional portfolio that captures how your learning from modules, employment, and tutor or mentor feedback informs and enhances your work with young children. By drawing connections between theory and practice, you will demonstrate your growth as an early years practitioner and your readiness for continued professional progression and the End Point Assessment.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Inclusive Practice 2: Celebrating Difference through Inclusive Leadership	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module enables you to celebrate difference by creating inclusive early years environments. You will explore SEND frameworks, early identification, and multi-agency working, developing the skills to evaluate practice and plan purposeful adaptations that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring every child can thrive and participate fully in their learning.
Language, Literacy and Learning in the Early Years	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module helps you deepen your understanding of early years pedagogy, literacy, mathematics, and communication. You will explore the curriculum in practice, apply strategies to extend children's learning, and create enabling environments through reflective and collaborative approaches that nurture holistic development and inspire a lifelong love of learning.
Empowering Children: Promoting Voice, Rights and Participation	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module helps you understand how to uphold children's rights through advocacy, safeguarding, and inclusive practice. You will develop knowledge of statutory frameworks and the impact of adverse circumstances, gaining practical skills to integrate children's voices, promote equality, and inspire colleagues to create empowering and inclusive learning environments.
Developing Early Mathematics and Problem-Solving in the Early Years	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module helps you understand how young children develop early mathematical thinking through play and exploration. You will learn to create enabling environments and apply curriculum frameworks that promote curiosity, number sense, and problem-solving within inclusive and engaging early years practice.
Working together for professional partnerships	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module helps you understand how to work effectively with parents, carers, and multi-agency teams to support children's wellbeing, learning, and development. You will explore theories of transition, principles of partnership, and strategies for leading collaboration that creates positive outcomes for children and their families.
Developing Professional Expertise: Embedding Your Practice Portfolio	0 Credits	Compulsory
In this module, you will consolidate your professional learning through a portfolio that demonstrates the impact of your practice on children's learning and development. You will engage in reflective analysis, respond to feedback, and integrate theory into practice, supporting your progression towards confident, accountable, and evidence-informed professional practice.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Leading and Improving the Early Years Curriculum	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module helps you develop the skills to lead curriculum design and improvement in early years settings. You will explore curriculum leadership, assessment, and reflective practice, learning how to manage change, support colleagues, and ensure high-quality provision and outcomes within the EYFS framework and across the educational continuum.
Coaching, Mentoring and Professional Growth	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module empowers apprentices to become confident, reflective leaders who make a positive difference. Learners explore how effective leadership, mentoring, and supervision can motivate teams, enhance practice, and improve outcomes for children. By connecting theory with real-world application, the module nurtures the confidence to guide, support, and inspire others, building a collaborative, ethical, and growth-focused culture across early years settings.
Leading Practice Through Action Research: End Point Assessment Module	60 Credits	Compulsory
This module empowers you to lead positive change in early years practice through a meaningful action research project. Across three semesters, you will plan, act, observe, and reflect in authentic settings, using research evidence, ethical awareness, and professional insight to drive improvement, deepen understanding, and make a tangible impact on children's learning and development. You'll deepen your understanding of child development, refine your professional judgement, and strengthen your leadership. By connecting theory, evidence, and reflection, you will showcase your competence and prepare confidently for the End Point Assessment.
Leading Professional Practice: Advancing Your Portfolio of Evidence	0 Credits	Compulsory
This module brings together everything you've learned throughout your degree, giving you the opportunity to showcase your professional competence, leadership, and impact in early years practice. You'll reflect critically on your journey, celebrate your achievements, and demonstrate your readiness for the End Point Assessment, stepping forward with confidence as a reflective, research-informed Early Years Teacher.

Professional Accreditations

The BEd (Hons) Early Years Education with EYTS is recognised by the Department for Education and leads to the award of Early Years Teacher Status. You will meet the requirements set by the Department for Education to be counted in ratio at Level 6.

Careers

Upon completion of the Early Years Teacher degree Apprenticeship, you’ll achieve Early Years Teacher Status, a full and relevant qualification that enables you to work within early years staff-to-child ratios at Level 6.

The programme has membership of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN) which provides continuous professional development and opportunities for student publication.

You will be able to take advantage of the varied opportunities available to you, to put into practice all you have learned and make a positive contribution to the lives of children and their families.

What job can I get?

Typical career paths for graduates of the Early Years Teacher degree apprenticeship include:

early years teacher;
nursery manager;
early years advisor;
family support worker;
speech and language therapist;
primary teacher;
play therapist.

Employability is at the heart of this course, equipping graduates with the leadership, analytical, and strategic skills employers need across a wide range of sectors.

Programme specifications
BEd (Hons) Early Years Education with EYTS (Full Time, Semester A Intake)	Download
BEd (Hons) Early Years Education with EYTS (Full Time, Semester A)	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No

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