We are writing to invite and strongly encourage you to respond to DfE consultation on Shaping the Future of Early Years Teaching, Shaping the future of early years teaching consultation document.
This consultation sets out proposals to reform how early years teachers are trained and supported, with the aim of strengthening training quality, improving career pathways, and raising the status of early years teaching across all settings.
Thank you for your help over the past few months in shaping our policy thinking on this topic and feedback on the consultation. We really appreciate your input into helping these policies become a reality, that we hope the sector will welcome.
Given your expertise and role in the sector, your views will be invaluable in helping ensure these proposals are informed by a wide range of perspectives and reflect the realities of practice.
We are particularly keen to gather feedback on:
- proposals for a shared core body of professional early years knowledge
- options for how early years teacher training could be structured in future
- potential routes to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for early years teachers
- delivery implications for these courses, including induction and placements.
The consultation has opened today, 18 June 2026 and will close on 24 September 2026.Details on how to respond are included within the document, with responses encouraged via Citizen Space Shaping the future of early years teaching – GOV.UK where possible.
As you will be aware, DfE currently offers two programmes which offer a route to EYTS – Early Years Initial Teacher Training and our new Early Years Teacher Degree Apprenticeship. Both are important qualifications for those who want to specialise in EY teaching and support our youngest children. They will continue to run alongside the consultation and development of our longer-term reforms. Through the consultation we are exploring options for how those with EYTS/EYPS can convert their qualification to QTS, in a proportionate way. Those who are currently running or undertaking EYITT or the EYTDA, or planning to over the next few years, should continue to do so, as any future changes following this consultation will build on these existing programmes.