EYITT (Early Years Initial Teacher Training) funding includes tuition fee grants and training bursaries worth up to £7,000 for eligible graduates training in 2025/26 — making early years teacher training one of the best-funded initial teacher training routes in England. The Department for Education (DfE) funds EYITT to address persistent early years workforce shortages and to raise the qualification profile of practitioners working with children from birth to age five.
The early years workforce in England is significant: in 2024/25, there were approximately 29,500 Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) holders working across childcare settings, according to DfE early years ITT statistics. However, the DfE's own research identifies a shortfall of qualified early years teachers in disadvantaged areas and among providers serving two-year-old funded places — meaning the government has strong policy incentives to continue funding EYITT training generously. For aspiring early years practitioners, this creates a genuine funding opportunity worth exploring thoroughly before self-funding any training.
Quick answer: EYITT training bursaries for 2025/26 are worth up to £7,000 for first-class graduates, £5,000 for 2:1 graduates, and £4,000 for 2:2 graduates on employment-based routes. Tuition fee grants are also available. To access EYITT funding, you must apply through an accredited EYITT provider and meet DfE eligibility criteria. The Level 3 Early Years Educator is the recommended qualification for those not yet holding a degree who want to begin their early years career now.
What is EYITT?
Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) is a government-funded teacher training programme for those who want to lead early years practice with children from birth to age five in England. Successful completion of EYITT leads to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), a professional status awarded by the Department for Education. EYTS is comparable to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in its rigour and professional standards, but its scope is specific to the early years phase (birth to five) rather than the primary or secondary school age ranges.
EYITT programmes are delivered by accredited providers including universities, school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) providers, and specialist early years organisations. Each provider must be accredited by the DfE and is subject to Ofsted inspection of its teacher training programmes. The DfE publishes an annual list of accredited EYITT providers on GOV.UK, which prospective trainees should consult when selecting a programme.
The EYITT programme typically takes one year full-time, or two years part-time for employment-based routes. Trainees develop their practice against the DfE's Early Years Teacher Standards, which cover: professional values; personal and professional conduct; knowledge of child development; planning and delivering effective teaching; assessment; supporting children's learning; partnership with parents and carers; and maintaining the health and safety of children.
EYITT funding: bursaries and grants explained
EYITT funding in England is administered by the National College for Teaching and Leadership (now operating as Teaching Regulation Agency and DfE) and delivered through accredited providers. For the 2025/26 training year, the DfE provides financial support through two distinct mechanisms: training bursaries and tuition fee grants.
Training bursaries are cash payments made to individual EYITT trainees on eligible routes. The bursary amount depends on the EYITT route you follow and your highest relevant academic qualification. For 2025/26, bursary amounts are as follows: £7,000 for first-class degree holders on Graduate Employment-Based or Undergraduate Employment-Based routes; £5,000 for 2:1 degree holders; and £4,000 for 2:2 degree holders. Trainees on the self-funded Graduate Entry route do not receive a bursary but may be eligible for tuition fee loans through Student Finance England.
Tuition fee grants are paid directly to the EYITT provider on behalf of the trainee, covering part or all of the tuition cost for eligible routes. The tuition fee grant means that trainees on funded employment-based routes often pay nothing towards their training fees, as the grant covers the cost. The exact grant value varies by provider and route — prospective trainees should confirm the fee structure with their chosen provider at the point of application.
According to the DfE EYITT guide for providers, funding for employment-based routes is prioritised to encourage trainees to complete their EYITT while working in a paid early years role — an approach that maintains the early years workforce pipeline while raising qualification levels simultaneously.
EYITT routes and eligibility
There are four EYITT routes in England, each with different entry requirements, funding arrangements, and structures. Choosing the right route depends on your current qualifications, employment status, and how quickly you want to achieve EYTS.
| Route | Entry requirements | Duration | Funding available | Employment required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Entry (full-time) | Degree (any subject); GCSE English, maths and science at grade C/4+ | 1 year full-time | Tuition fee grant; no bursary | No — placements arranged by provider |
| Graduate Employment-Based | Degree; currently employed in early years setting | 1 year | Tuition fee grant + bursary up to £7,000 | Yes — must be employed in EYFS setting |
| Undergraduate | No degree required; studying relevant undergraduate degree (e.g. BA Early Childhood Studies) | Alongside degree (typically 3 years) | Tuition fee grant; student loan available | No — placements integrated into degree |
| Undergraduate Employment-Based | No degree; employed in early years setting; studying relevant degree part-time | Up to 5 years | Tuition fee grant + bursary | Yes — employed in EYFS setting throughout |
All EYITT routes require candidates to hold GCSE English language, mathematics, and a science subject at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced check, and fitness to practise. Applicants who do not hold a GCSE in science may be accepted on some programmes if they can demonstrate relevant knowledge through prior learning or occupational experience. Confirm requirements with your chosen provider.
How to apply for EYITT funding
Applying for EYITT funding is integrated into the EYITT programme application process — you do not apply for funding separately. The process works as follows:
- Choose an accredited EYITT provider. Search the DfE's published list of EYITT providers and contact providers offering the route that matches your qualifications and employment situation. Most providers open applications from October for the following academic year, with places filling from January onwards.
- Meet eligibility criteria. Confirm you meet the academic entry requirements (degree for graduate routes; appropriate GCSEs for all routes) and that your GCSE qualifications meet the DfE's minimum standard.
- Apply directly to the provider. Unlike QTS-bearing ITT (which uses the DfE's Apply service), EYITT applications are typically made directly to the provider. Some providers participate in UCAS Teacher Training.
- Confirm funding at offer stage. When you receive an offer, your provider will confirm the funding available for your route and the bursary amount based on your degree classification. Ensure this is specified in writing before accepting.
- Complete and claim your bursary. Bursaries are typically paid in instalments during the training year, directly to you by the provider on behalf of the DfE. Keep records of your progression milestones as these may be required to release subsequent instalments.
According to the National College for Teaching and Leadership's EYITT guidance, EYITT applications should be made well in advance of the desired start date, as popular providers fill their funded places — particularly on employment-based routes — quickly. If you are planning to start EYITT in September 2026, begin researching providers no later than January 2026.
EYTS vs QTS: which is right for you?
Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) are both DfE professional statuses awarded to qualified practitioners in England, but they differ significantly in scope and career application. Understanding the difference before committing to a route is essential.
EYTS qualifies you to lead early years practice with children from birth to five years old. EYTS is recognised across all OFSTED-registered early years settings, including day nurseries, private nurseries, nursery schools, and reception classes in independent schools. However, EYTS alone does not qualify you to teach in maintained primary or secondary schools — for that, QTS is required.
QTS (obtained through a PGCE, School Direct, or other Initial Teacher Training route) qualifies you to teach in maintained schools from Reception through to Year 11 or above, and to access the national teacher pay scale. The main practical difference for early years professionals is that EYTS holders in nursery settings or PVIs (Private, Voluntary, and Independent) are often paid on sector pay scales rather than the national teacher pay scale, which can mean lower salaries than QTS-qualified teachers in school settings.
If your long-term goal is to teach in a maintained primary school, QTS is the qualification you need. If your passion is for the birth-to-five phase and you are content to work in early years settings — which can offer significant autonomy and leadership opportunities — EYTS through EYITT is the most efficient and best-funded route. The two statuses are not directly interchangeable, so clarify your career goals before choosing your training route.
Getting started: the Level 3 Early Years Educator pathway
For those who are not yet graduates and cannot access EYITT directly, the Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification is the recommended and most widely recognised first step into a professional early years career in England. The Level 3 Early Years Educator (EYE) — awarded by CACHE (Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education), NCFE, or TQUK — qualifies you to work at Level 3 in an early years setting in England, counting in the statutory staff-to-child ratios under the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
The Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification provides the essential knowledge base for EYITT: child development from birth to five, the EYFS statutory framework, observation and assessment, safeguarding, professional practice, and partnership with parents. Completing the Level 3 Early Years Educator before pursuing EYITT means you enter teacher training with hands-on sector experience and a firm grounding in early years theory and practice — giving you a significant advantage in the EYITT application process and in your training year.
Qualvera's CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator is available for £79.99 per month on a flexible online subscription, making it accessible for those working in early years settings who want to formalise their practice and build towards EYITT. For a broader overview of the early years career pathway, see our guides to how to become an early years educator and the Early Years Foundation Stage framework explained.
"High-quality early years education is one of the most powerful investments society can make in children's life chances," states the DfE's Foundation Years strategy. "We need more graduates with Early Years Teacher Status, especially in our most disadvantaged communities." This policy commitment underlines why EYITT funding remains generous and why early years teacher training is one of the best-supported routes into teaching available in England today.
Key takeaways: EYITT bursaries of up to £7,000 are available for 2025/26 on employment-based routes. Four EYITT routes exist — Graduate Entry, Graduate Employment-Based, Undergraduate, and Undergraduate Employment-Based. EYTS qualifies you for birth-to-five leadership; QTS is required for maintained schools. The Level 3 Early Years Educator is the best first step for those not yet holding a degree — available from Qualvera for £79.99/month.
Start your early years career with a Level 3 qualification
Qualvera's CACHE Level 3 Early Years Educator is the foundation for every early years professional in England — study online, flexibly, around your setting's hours.
Level 3 Early Years Educator — £79.99/monthFrequently asked questions
What is EYITT and what qualification does it lead to?
EYITT stands for Early Years Initial Teacher Training. It is a government-funded teacher training programme that leads to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), a professional status recognised by the Department for Education (DfE). EYTS qualifies you to lead early years practice for children from birth to age five. Unlike Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), EYTS does not qualify you to teach in maintained primary or secondary schools, but is recognised across all early years settings including nurseries, children's centres, and reception classes in independent schools.
How much EYITT funding is available in 2025/26?
For 2025/26, the DfE provides EYITT funding through two mechanisms. Tuition fee grants cover tuition costs up to a maximum value depending on the EYITT route. Training bursaries of up to £7,000 are available for eligible graduates on undergraduate employment-based and graduate employment-based EYITT routes. Bursary amounts vary by degree classification: graduates with a first-class degree receive the full £7,000; those with a 2:1 receive £5,000; 2:2 graduates receive £4,000. Non-graduates on the self-funded route do not receive a bursary.
Do I need a degree to do EYITT?
The graduate EYITT routes (Graduate Entry and Graduate Employment-Based) require a degree (any subject). The Undergraduate EYITT route is open to those without a degree and is studied alongside a relevant degree programme, typically a BA in Early Childhood Studies. The Early Years Educator (Level 3) qualification, such as the CACHE Level 3 Certificate, is a commonly recommended stepping stone to the undergraduate EYITT route for those who do not yet hold a degree.
What is the difference between EYTS and QTS?
Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) are both DfE professional statuses but they have different scope. EYTS authorises you to lead early years practice with children from birth to age five and is recognised in all early years settings. QTS authorises you to teach in maintained schools across all age phases. EYTS holders cannot teach in maintained primary schools using their EYTS alone. If you want to teach in maintained schools, you need QTS via a PGCE or other ITT route.
Can I start EYITT without working in an early years setting?
It depends on the EYITT route. The Graduate Employment-Based and Undergraduate Employment-Based routes require you to be employed in an early years setting throughout the programme. The Graduate Entry route (school-led or university-led) does not require prior employment, as placements are arranged by the provider. For those new to early years, completing a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification is strongly recommended before beginning an EYITT programme, as it provides essential knowledge of child development and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.