You'll need to get early years teacher status (EYTS) and meet the teachers' standards by completing a course in early years initial teacher training (EYITT).

There are several ways to do this:

• study an undergraduate degree in a subject related to early childhood studies or child development, along with course placements
• take an EYITT course after you finish your first degree
• complete part-time teacher training, if you already have a degree and are working in an early years setting

You can also have your teaching skills assessed over 3 months to make sure you meet the teachers' standards. For this route, you must be a graduate with a lot of work experience across the 0 to 5 age range, and have knowledge of key stages 1 and 2 in schools.

Early years teacher status qualifies you to teach children up to age 5. If you want to teach older children, or teach in a primary school, you'll usually need to get qualified teacher status (QTS). Find out about getting QTS from Get Into Teaching.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could work your way into this role by starting as nursery worker or teaching assistant and doing a part-time degree in childhood studies or child development.

You'll usually need experience of working with children and young people.

You can get this through:

• paid work
• volunteering at a school
• youth work
• a holiday scheme

You'll need:

• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
• to be flexible and open to change
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

As an early years teacher, you'll:

• plan and prepare activities, materials and lessons
• teach children in a safe and positive environment
• speak to parents and carers about their children’s development
• monitor children’s progress and report any issues
• work with colleagues on curriculum planning
• supervise nursery workers, teaching assistants and volunteer helpers

You could work in a nursery or at a school.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.