Julie Dervey, an Early Years Professional (EYP) from Hull in East Yorkshire who holds a first class degree in Early Childhood, Education and Care and has 13 years' experience working in the sector, contacted Teach First last month about applying for its early years programme.
But she was told that her early childhood degree does not make her eligible for Teach First early years.
The Government announced in April that it would be extending the Teach First Leadership Development programme to the early years from September, to attract high-calibre graduates to work with children from the age of three.
Teach First's graduate recruitment team told Ms Dervey that her degree does not make her eligible to apply for the programme. This is because the early years aspect of the programme (ages three to seven) falls under the primary category, requiring graduates to hold a 2:1 degree in a 'core subject', such as geography, maths, music or religious education.
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