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Early years training courses dropped by two UK universities
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Apr 18, 2016Leeds Beckett University and the University of Winchester have dropped their early years teacher status (EYTS) courses five months prior to the start of the next academic year, Schools Week reports.
Earlier this year, Deborah Lawson, general secretary for Voice 鈥 the union for education, early years and childcare professionals 鈥 told reporters that settings were facing a shortage of early years teachers as some EYTS courses were facing closure due to low numbers.
According to UCAS statistics, this time last year 1250 applicants for EYTS courses had offers, but today this figure sits at 530, with a further 1600 applicants having either been rejected or still awaiting an offer.
The lack of applicants this year has been blamed on the fact that trainees must have the same qualifications as those working towards qualified teacher status (QTS), which includes a degree, at least a grade C in English, maths and science GCSEs and a successful numeracy and literacy test.
EYTS, however, does not have the same terms and conditions as QTS, with no set pay scale and some providers only paying salaries for 35 weeks a year, rather than annually.
鈥淭he fact that functional skills or some form of equivalent assessment is not an accepted qualification for the course for people already in the sector, is going to have an impact on those progressing through the system and seeing childcare as a viable long-term career prospect,鈥 Deborah said.
43 providers are expected to recruit 2000 graduates to start training from September.