Module 2- Working as an EYFS Teacher
Working as an EYFS Teacher
Summary/What you will learn
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An overview of Early Years Foundation Stage teaching
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What you can expect from an EYFS teaching career
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Requirements, qualifications and useful skills
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Information about your day-to-day tasks and your working environment
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The importance of continuing professional development
2.1 Module Introduction
These individuals are also commonly called early years teachers, early childhood educators, or early childhood education teachers. EYFS teachers work in a wide range of settings with children who have various learning needs, strengths and weaknesses. Learning more about your role as an EYFS teacher in each one of those environments leads you to more satisfying and fulfilling career choices.
Early years teachers are required to instruct students in all areas of learning set out by the EYFS. Make sure you are familiar with each of those seven pillars of learning, before progressing through the course. Having that framework in mind as you proceed can help you picture your day as an EYFS teacher in a variety of settings.
This module gives you the details about working as an EYFS teacher, including the types of jobs available in the field, what you can expect in terms of salary and working hours and the qualifications and skills EYFS teachers should possess. We also discuss the various working environments you may encounter throughout your career. Finally, the module covers the importance of continuing professional development.
Fact
In 2023, 79% of pupils met the expected standard in the phonics screening check in year 1, up from 75% in 2022.
Source: Department for Education
2.2 An Overview of EYFS Teaching
However, there are numerous jobs within this field, from teacher to childminder. Learning more about EYFS teaching, including the expected salary ranges and working hours, can help you to make an informed decision about whether or not to enter this specific area of early years education.
EYFS Teaching Job Description
Early years teachers are those who work with children primarily between the ages of three and five, although some do work with younger age groups. These teachers are responsible for delivering the EYFS to all children in their care, by coming up with play-based activities, educational games and a combination of child-led and adult-led learning.
In addition to working with children, EYFS teachers must also assist in the preparation of reports and assessments as required. They also convey information to parents and carers about their children, developing customised approaches where traditional teaching methods fail.
EYFS teachers typically work in nurseries, pre-schools, or centres that offer school reception classes. The goal of this career choice is to help get children ready for the more formal approach to education at the primary school level.
Responsibilities
EYFS teachers have a lot of responsibility, making it important to have developed keen time management and organisational skills.
The main focus of your job is to deliver the EYFS in a way that helps the children in your care achieve their early learning goals through play-based learning.
Teachers do this by providing a motivating and stimulating learning environment, promoting play, games and activities that encourage learning. The creation and use of visual aids, lesson materials, resources and other teaching resources is a key part of this job.
Responsibilities do not only extend to students. EYFS teachers must also communicate with parents, carers and members of the community, to ensure all children are given the best possible start. You must also seek out continuing learning opportunities, ensuring you stay on top of current research on optimal teaching methods.
Available Careers
Once you attain your early years teaching status, you can begin looking for employment in one of many areas. Potential workplaces include preparatory schools, independent nurseries, childcare centres, nurseries, early excellence centres and centres that offer school reception classes.
EYFS teachers can work in both the public and the private sector, or transition between them both. Public sector job opportunities can be found at community schools, trust schools, foundation schools, controlled and voluntary-aided schools, academies and free education centres. Career opportunities in the private sector can be found at private schools, Montessori schools and Steiner Waldorf schools.
An emerging trend in private primary schools is to hire an EYFS-trained teacher to act as a teaching assistant or educational assistant for at-risk children or those facing educational challenges.
Whilst early years teachers are not qualified to teach a primary school alone, they can act in a junior role when supervised by a primary school teacher.
Anticipated Career Progression
Most EYFS teachers advance out of teaching before reaching the peak salary for that particular profession. Other career paths typically taken include senior management, primary education (with retraining), or promotion to the Headteacher or deputy head level at a nursery or preschool. Specialising in specific educational areas, such as working with children with special educational needs, is another common career many EYFS teachers explore later on in their careers.
Alternatively, you could step out of the classroom altogether, becoming an educational inspector. Both Ofsted and the Independent Schools Council hire former educators for this particular role, as they are familiar with the EYFS and successful classroom techniques.
EYFS teachers who excel at their jobs may become advanced skills teachers, one of the most valuable parts of early years education. Advanced skills teachers spend about 20% of their time working with legislators and other teachers to improve classroom standards and to develop better, more effective teaching techniques.
2.3 What to Expect from an EYFS Teaching Career
Of course, teaching is a rewarding career sought out by many for its fulfilling nature instead of financial gains. Still, it is useful to know what you can expect when you begin working full-time in the field. Whilst the exact hours, salary levels and even available promotions may vary depending on your exact workplace, there are a few generalities you can keep in mind.
Working Hours
Most EYFS teachers provide care and instruction to students from 8:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon, although others offer longer hours for working parents. These facilities are typically open Monday to Friday and are closed on weekends and statutory holidays.
Teachers tend to work more than just those operational hours.
Most come in early, to prepare teaching materials and get the room or rooms ready for the day. In addition, they typically stay late, putting together lesson plans, drafting assessments, or communicating with parents or carers. There are also parents’ evenings, meetings and administrative tasks that you should factor into your working hours.
Salary and Benefits
EYFS teaching salaries depend on the location of employment, the sector you work in and the length of time you have worked in the field. Location plays a big role in salary discrepancies at all levels, as companies and organisations offer higher wages to help employees afford the higher cost of living in cities such as London. Other, smaller communities tend to offer lower starting salaries, but there is a lower cost of living associated with those areas.
Teachers who work for independent, privately owned companies often earn more than those employed in public organisations. The type of benefits received depends on the specific private company in question. Some companies offer full benefits, including medical and dental coverage. Others only offer the bare minimum required by law. Public organisations tend to offer more complete benefits, often including a retirement package as well.
Individuals employed in this field tend to enjoy consistent salary increases.
You can expect to earn a starting salary of between £18,000 and £20,000, but after gaining experience and improving your knowledge, this could rise up to £38,000 (prospects.ac.uk, March 2024).
As mentioned, private companies tend to pay more for an experienced EYFS teacher. Keep in mind that salary ranges for this particular profession fluctuate often, so make sure you check a reputable wage/human resources website before any interview, to be sure you have current information.
Work/Life Balance
Some EYFS teachers struggle with achieving a work/life balance that makes them happy. They feel guilty when not focusing on the children in their care, resulting in quite a few evenings spent on work. Unfortunately, this can lead to burn out, exhaustion and even physical health issues.
Make sure you strive for a work/life balance that you can live with, taking into account your responsibilities for the children at your workplace, alongside your need to relax and focus on you. Scheduling yourself time off, putting limits on the amount of personal time you focus on work and learning time management strategies can help you to find that balance.
Activity 1 – Thinking About Work/Life Balances
Estimated time: 10 to 15 minutes
Take some time and think about your own interpretation of a work/life balance. Does it involve having weekends to yourself? Is there an activity you enjoy doing with friends in the evening?
Take some time now and start scheduling “life” activities in your planner, agenda, or calendar app. When you do this, pretend you work eight hours a day, Monday to Friday and allow for a few late nights at work.
When you are done, look at the sample calendar you created for the next few weeks. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious when looking at it, try to include more “life” activities. Getting into the habit of doing this now helps you to keep up the habit when you find employment in this field.
2.4 Requirements and Expectations
Developing additional skills helps make your job easier and more enjoyable and makes you a more effective teacher. In addition to meeting these initial expectations, EYFS teachers have ongoing responsibilities they are expected to fulfil.
Entry Requirements
EYFS teachers must first obtain their early years teaching status by taking an Early Years Initial Teacher Training course (EYITT). There are several ways in which you can receive this training, depending on your level of experience and past education.
Graduate Entry
People who have undergraduate degrees, but who do not have extensive experience with children may opt to take this particular path. The material taught builds on pre-existing knowledge, capitalising on educational strengths instead of experience. Educators give their students activities, assignments and tutorials focused on working with children. This is a one-year, full-time course, although there are grants available to cover course fees and bursaries are awarded to top-performing students.
Graduate Employment
This option is suited for individuals who have undergraduate degrees and are currently working with children in an early years setting. Students attend a one-year, part-time course, with grants available to cover the cost of the course. Additional funding is also given to the employers of graduate students, to cover any costs incurred, such as to pay for supply coverage during mandatory classes and exams.
Undergraduate Entry
Students currently enrolled in a degree program with a focus on early childhood education should select this training option. Working in an early years environment or familiarity with children is not essential, but does help make lessons easier. This is a full-time, three or four-year course, at the conclusion of which students attain their early years teacher status. Students can look for scholarships and tuition fee loans through Student Finance England.
Assessment Only
This option is only available to graduates with substantial experience in early childhood education, working primarily with children from birth to age five. Knowledge of Key Stages 1 and 2 in school is also a requirement for this option. Students are evaluated over the course of three months. They must demonstrate extensive knowledge of the EYFS, without the need for further training, in order to attain certification.
School Direct (Early Years) Graduate Entry
Students who opt for this type of entry train with a group of schools or nurseries. It is expected that the nursery or school you train with extends an offer of employment, once you attain your early years teacher status.
Regardless of which option you choose, there are a few requirements that all students must meet in order to qualify for an EYITT course.
To qualify for an EYITT course you must pass a numeracy and literacy skills test, as well as submit a clean enhanced background check conducted by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Students also need to have their GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 in English, maths and a science, such as chemistry or biology, or equivalent.
Volunteering
Most EYITT courses also require each student to have some experience working or volunteering with children in the early years age range (i.e. birth to age five). If you do not currently work or volunteer with children, you should start looking for opportunities as soon as possible. Some facilities can only accept limited numbers, making it a good idea to start your search earlier. This way you do not have to wait long to begin applying for training programmes.
2.5 Recommended Skills
There are additional skills you should build on or develop, to make your job easier and more enjoyable. Individuals seeking a career in early years education should focus on these abilities as much as possible in their spare time. Employers often enquire about hobbies and extra-curricular activities when evaluating EYFS teachers, looking for signs that applicants possess certain strengths.
Communication
EYFS teachers need to have excellent communication skills.
You must be able to have productive and effective conversations with individuals across a range of ages and professions. EYFS teachers deal with children, parents, carers, colleagues and members of the health care field, on a daily basis. Being able to adapt your communication style to suit each conversation makes your job much easier.
Organisation
Having strong organisational skills helps in every area of your life, but especially so in EYFS teaching. Hiring managers are increasingly looking for applicants who demonstrate strength in this area. Regardless of the specific environment you work in, there is always information, materials and even entire rooms that require organisation in order to continue functioning well.
Creativity
Developing activities that are play-based and engaging, as well as educational, is a key part of the EYFS teacher job description. Creativity does not necessarily mean having incredible talent in one specific area, such as illustration. Instead, it means knowing how to incorporate learning goals into something that the children in your care enjoy and learn from. Demonstrating outside-the-box thinking and resourcefulness goes a long way.
Time Management
Many people struggle with time management. It can be a challenge to identify what needs to be completed, figuring out a timeline for those tasks and executing your plan without straying too far off schedule.
EYFS teachers need to have strong time management skills, for numerous reasons.
Reports must be prepared within certain timelines, or you risk violating rules, regulations and your own organisation’s policies. Time management skills also help you to divide your day better, helping you to optimise the amount of time the children in your care spend on any given activity, without compromising their education.
Calm Demeanour
EYFS teachers encounter numerous stressful situations each day. Caring for children is a very taxing task, both emotionally and mentally. However, having patience and a good sense of humour about your job helps keep you less stressed. Patience in particular is not an easy skill to acquire, but improving in this area makes your day-to-day life much easier.
2.6 What to Expect from Your Working Environment
Where individuals such as childminders may focus more on child-led tasks throughout their jobs, EYFS teachers must transition children to more adult-led ones, preparing them for primary education.
In addition to having slightly different tasks and responsibilities, EYFS teachers also work in different learning environments. Childminders work in their own home. EYFS teachers work in a classroom setting, providing a more formal level of care.
Your Day to Day Tasks
As an EYFS teacher, your day-to-day tasks may change depending on the needs of the children in your care. You have to develop and implement ways in which to support the development and learning of each child, through planned play, free play and other activities and games designed to build language, literacy and mathematical skills.
EYFS teachers must also manage classroom behaviour, encouraging sharing, cooperation and appropriate voice volumes at all times.
Due to the age range of the children in their care, this also involves some level of discipline, including time-outs and enforcing other suitable consequences.
When not directly educating or caring for children, you must keep your activities and lesson materials clean, sterilised if need be and organised. Keeping a clean classroom is important, in order to reduce the risk of illnesses and to enforce the importance of organisation to the children in your care. EYFS teachers also consult with parents, carers and other members of the community about the care of specific children. Monitoring and assessing children are other important tasks EYFS teachers must complete.
Working Patterns
Full-time EYFS teachers typically work about eight hours per day, Monday to Friday. The first six hours or so are usually spent directly with children; with the final two spent cleaning, tidying and preparing the next day’s lesson.
It is not uncommon for early years teachers to bring some work home with them to focus on in the evening or on weekends, during assessment periods or when dealing with a challenging child.
Some children only attend nurseries or pre-schools part-time, especially children from families where one parent stays at home or where there is already a childminder employed. Most parents who enrol their children in part-time care like this do so in private facilities, although public ones are increasingly trying to meet this demand. As a result, you may find that you teach two groups of children in one day, or that you teach one group for the first half of the week and a second group during the latter portion.
The Workplace Environment
As mentioned, there are several different types of workplaces that employ EYFS teachers. When looking for a job, make sure that you learn all you can about each organisation’s philosophies and working environment. Some facilities are quite large, with multiple departments and many employees. Other organisations are much smaller, operating on smaller budgets and employing fewer people.
It used to be that public organisations were generally larger and privately run ones focused on a smaller setting. Now, there are small public facilities and large, expansive private ones. Make sure you take the time to look into each organisation, without making assumptions or generalisations.
It is important for EYFS teachers to feel comfortable in their working environments. Ideally, they receive support and collaboration from their colleagues regarding specific children. Getting another professional’s opinion on any given case can help you find a solution or a way in which to help a child reach a troublesome learning goal. Make sure that you apply to facilities with learning mottos and philosophies in line with your own.
Never apply to an organisation with a poor reputation or one that does not mention the EYFS on its website or in its documentation.
New employees rarely change corporate culture and having a disreputable employer on your CV can make it harder to get a better job.
2.7 The Importance of Continuing Professional Development
You need to know that you are delivering the EYFS in the best way possible, ensuring the children in your care receive an optimal education. Prioritising continuous learning is one way in which to achieve that personal goal.
Newly-Qualified Teachers
Newly-qualified teachers, or NQTs, must participate in an induction programme over three academic semesters, or about nine to 12 months.
Throughout the induction programme, new teachers work with children across each age group covered by the EYFS. NQTs are given extra help, support and guidance during that first year, to ensure they have a strong foundation before teaching on their own without those supports.
Induction involves about 90% teaching and working directly with children and 10% planning, preparing and assessing. Most individuals complete their induction programme with a preschool, so they can get exposure to the widest range of EYFS-applicable ages. Nursery schools and centres that provide school reception classes are also options for induction, though NQTs are generally encouraged to get a wider breadth of experience during this period.
Each school runs its induction programme slightly differently, so check with the coordinator for more details if you have specific questions. In general, students are expected to work approximately 35 hours per week throughout their induction period.
Additional Educational Opportunities
After you complete your induction period, you are a fully qualified teacher.
Qualified teachers have access to a greater range of job opportunities and earn more money. They also tend to receive greater benefits and are eligible for promotions and raises. However, your commitment to ongoing education does not stop once you become a qualified teacher. It is crucial that all EYFS teachers take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.
Additional training can help your career progress faster, helping you to get a job in a highly specialised field, such as special needs teaching. Other individuals may want to become subject leaders, benefiting from leadership learning courses. If you want a management or Headteacher position, business classes may be a good choice.
Certain employers may require all staff to take a specific number of continuing professional development hours per year. Make sure you find out this information as early as possible and always double check to make sure that the programmes you take qualify.
Seeking Education Opportunities
Finding educational opportunities does not need to be difficult. Start by reaching out to the most reputable organisations that offer courses in your area of interest.
For example
If progressing to special needs education is a goal for you, look for companies that offer that type of specialised training. You should also discuss your desire for additional learning with your supervisors and colleagues, so they can pass along relevant information.
Activity 2 – Planning for the Future
Estimated time: 10 to 15 minutes
Think about the reasons why you want to begin EYFS teaching. Is it to help children with specialised educational needs? Is it to give as many children in England the best possible start? Are you simply passionate about education?
Examining your reasons can help you to plan ahead for the future, giving you a chance to focus your continuing professional development courses in that direction. For example, if you are passionate about education, you may want to become an inspector later on in your career.
With that knowledge in mind, you can focus on finding courses that help you get ahead in that particular field. Jot down a few of your future goals along with your reasons for wanting to pursue this career and keep it in a safe place. Revisit your list when education opportunities arise, to help keep you focused. Alternatively, you can rewrite your list if your career objectives change
Assignment
Working as an EYFS Teacher
Time: 30+ minutes
Hopefully, you took in as much of the information in this module as possible. To find out how well you have done, complete the following worksheet.
Download the worksheet below and complete.
Module Summary
This is the end of the second module in our EYFS Teaching course. Take some time to think about this information in advance of the next module. It is important that you fully understand what type of job you are preparing for before you continue.
We began by talking about the general role of EYFS teachers, their working hours and anticipated salary levels.
We also discussed the specific requirements and recommended skills EYFS teachers should possess.
Finally, we talked about the importance of continuous professional development.
The next module goes into detail about the EYFS framework, giving you insight into the reasons for its implementation, along with information about compliance.
WELL DONE!
YOU HAVE MADE IT THROUGH MODULE 2!
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