Do you want to become a teacher? But also not want to go through several years of education and training, particularly, university studies? Become becoming a teacher in the UK, you have to decide which stage of education you want to teach. Each stage has different requirements for teaching.
If you are considering to teach in a Nursery school, you will not be able to do so without going to a university.
In this blog, I will tell you about the requirements of a nursery teacher.
Education system in the UK
In each 4 countries of the UK, there are five stages of education. They are:
- Early years
- Primary
- Secondary
- Further education
- Higher education
It is compulsory for 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) to 16 years old children in these countries to attend primary and secondary schools. Except for England, where a child born on or after September 1997 needs to complete Further education as well. Meaning that full-time education is compulsory till the age of 18.
Higher education, which takes place in universities and other Higher Education institutions and colleges, is not necessary. And, if they like so, parents can admit their children in early years education before they start attending primary schools.
Early years education
Early years education (preschool) in the UK takes place in childcare centres, playgroups, nursery schools. It is also available in some primary schools that have nursery classes where children can attend before they start grade 1.
Early years education curriculum
Below are seven areas, which are the focus of learning in early education:
- Communication & language
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Mathematics
- Literacy
- Physical development
- Expressive arts and design
- Understanding the world
Early year teacher requirements
If you want to become a nursery teacher, you will need the following qualifications:
- 4 or 5 GCSE with A minimum grade of C/4, or equivalent, in mathematics and English language, and in some cases, science as well.
- Get early years teacher status (EYTS) after finishing EYITT.
- Get DBS checked
Early Years Initial Teacher Training
To get your EYTS, you need to go through early years initial teacher training (EYITT). There are four ways you can get the training:
- Graduate entry: typically a year of full-time study.
- Graduate employment-based: for graduates who are currently working in an early years program but need further training. Training duration is one year.
- Undergraduate: a full-time training of 3 to 4 years leading to EYTS for students who are studying for a degree in an early childhood-related subject.
- Assessment only: for graduates who are experienced with working with children from birth to age five, who already meet the Teachers’ Standards (Early Years) without the need for further training. Assessment duration will be three months.
Read More: 5 Awesome Reasons to Get Your MBA in Healthcare Management
Conclusion
If you have read this blog to this point, you definitely got the answer you need. So, if are determined to become a nursery teacher, there is no other way without going to a university in the first place. Start preparing today to get your dream job as a nursery teacher.
