Early Years Professional Status

Early Years Professional Status

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) was introduced by the Government in 2007.

It is a professional standard for Early Childhood which both acknowledges the expertise of people in the early years sector and provides a professional profile for practitioners to aspire to.

At the University of Worcester we support this notion of early childhood professionalism and celebrate the need to develop an early years workforce recognised for the highly skilled and expert provision that can be offered to children and their families.

The Government's aim is to have an Early Years Professional in every children’s centre offering full day care by 2010, and in every full day care setting by 2015.

To support a variety of routes to achievement of EYPS, the University of Worcester offers four pathways to gaining EYPS and has already supported a large number of practitioners throughout the region to gain their Early Years Professional Status.

What is an Early Years Professional?

Every child deserves the best possible start in life. It is imperative that in the first years of a child’s life they are provided with excellent care and education in early years settings to support their development and allow them to achieve their full potential.

Research from the Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) project has shown that the best way of ensuring this is achieved is by having a graduate-led workforce who have extensive knowledge and experience of how children learn and develop in the early years.  

Early Years Professionals (EYPs) work in a wide range of roles in private, voluntary or independent group settings such as nurseries, children's centres and as home based child carers. They lead practice, support other practitioners and are central to helping children develop from birth until the age of five, a crucial time in a child's life. EYPs may also be employed by local authorities as mentor teachers or advisors.

EYPS is based on evidencing personal professional leadership qualities and practice as well as the knowledge and understanding required to support effective, high quality provision for babies, toddlers and young children. 

EYPS candidates are assessed against 39 standards which include consideration of legislation; research and policy guidance; effective practice; building relationships with children; working in partnership with parents; teamwork and collaboration; and personal professional development.  

The assessment process very much focuses on the candidate's personal attributes, skills and knowledge that are being put into action, in the setting in which they are practicing, to maintain high quality child care and education to support children’s well being and development.

Validation Pathway (3-4 Months)

 

This pathway is intended for early years graduates who work within a registered early years setting, have a broad experience across the 0-5 age range, and whose practice already reflects the requirements of the 39 EYPS standards. This pathway is designed to support candidates in preparation for their final assessment.

Short Extended Professional Development Pathway (6 Months)

This pathway is intended for early years graduates who work within a registered early years setting, have a broad experience of the sector and whose practice reflects most of the requirements of the 39 EYPS standards.

Within this route you have a three month period where you work in partnership with staff at the University to develop a personal learning plan to support you in developing your skills and knowledge to give you the opportunity of meeting the requirements of the 39 EYPS standards. You then proceed to the Validation Pathway for your final 3-4 months. 

Long Extended Professional Development Pathway (15 Months)

This pathway is intended for early years workers who hold a Foundation degree (or equivalent level 5 qualification), work within a registered early years setting, and have experience within the early years sector, but who do not hold a full honours degree.

Within this route you spend the initial 12 months attending the University for one day each week, working towards gaining relevant degree modules to the value of 60 level 6 credits. You then embark on the 3-4 month validation process to complete your EYPS pathway. 
 

Fulltime Pathway (12 Months)

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO CHANGES IN FUNDING THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER WILL NOT BE RUNNING THIS PATHWAY NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR 2010/2011

This pathway is specifically designed for career changers: those people who have a first degree outside of early years, have never been employed within the early years sector and who are ‘new comers’ to the early years workforce. 

If you are looking for a career change, or are already working towards your career change into early childhood, then this could be the route for you to become part of the early years workforce.

Your programme will be composed of 18 weeks placement experience and 18 weeks study under the direction and guidance of University lecturers. During this time you will be given the opportunity to gain a postgraduate certificate in Early Childhood Studies.

This pathway attracts a £5,000 bursary.

Fees and Finance

EYPS training pathways are *offered subject to funding by the Children’s Workforce Development Council.

Cover funding is available to candidates who work in the private, voluntary and independent sector. This funding is paid by the University of Worcester directly to your employer, enabling them to employ staff to cover in your absence while you attend the University for your EYPS programme.  

Candidates on the Full Training Pathway (unavailable for 2010/11) * currently receive a £5,000 tax free bursary.

Graduate Leader Fund

Your setting may be eligible for Graduate Leader Fund monies. Talk to your Local Authority about this funding to support your employer with your professional development.

What is the assessment process?

Following your initial assessment and choice of pathway you will have an opportunity to develop your understanding and skills relevant to the standards required of an Early Years Practitioner, to the point where you are eligible to progress towards achievement. 

Regardless of which pathway you choose, all candidates will go through the same assessment process:

• a one-day ‘Gateway’ review of your skills.
• five written tasks which express your experiences of early years practice.
• a one-day assessment visit in your early years setting, including a tour of the setting, a review of the written tasks, assessment of some documentary evidence you provide, and an interview with you and some of your colleagues or parents.

This process ensures consistency across training providers for candidates and provides an effective way of moderating the results.

What are my career prospects?

With the Government aiming to have Early Years Professionals in all children’s centres by 2010 and in every full day-care setting by 2015, those attaining EYPS will be in great demand over the next few years.

Every child deserves the very best care and education and the first five years of life are critical in children's development. High quality early years provision is important to help children achieve their potential, working in partnership with parents and families. Such a level of provision requires a highly motivated and well-trained workforce who like and want to be with children.
Early Years Professionals will have evidenced that they are innovative, reflective, and practical, with commitment and drive to improve outcomes for all children and raise the quality of early years provision. You will have evidenced that you have leadership skills and personal qualities able to influence changes in practice. You will be able to raise expectations, whilst supporting others to achieve their potential.

Early Years Professional Status is a new qualification and awareness and recognition is still building. In time it is expected that as an Early Years Professional you will gain the recognition you deserve and have the satisfaction of knowing that others understand your level of knowledge and understanding. You will also significantly enhance your career development prospects as EYPS may open the door to diverse opportunities for leadership and management in a range of early years settings. Former students have moved on to such roles as:

• Leading practice in nurseries, daycare settings, and nursery classes.
• Private Sector nursery management.
• Quality enhancement or advisory roles with the local authority.
• Family support work with Children’s Centres.
• Teaching in nursery classes.