Early Years Professional Status
KEY FACTS
UCAS code
Contact Enquiry Unit
0800 005 006
School
Location
Attendance
Each EYPS pathway has its own set of attendance requirements
Entry requirements
Early Years foundation degree (level 5) or an undergraduate degree.
PLUS GCSE English and mathematics at grade C or above or equivalent qualifications
• Applicants should also have clear communication skills
Assessment
Verbal and written assessment
Career options
Early years professionals lead practice and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum in a variety of early years settings
Within the Every Child Matters context, it is recognised that every child deserves the best early years care and education possible. Early years professionals gaining Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) will act as "agents for change", improving practice in the early years. Professional status is critical to raising the quality of early years provision.
It is the government's aim to have early years professional in all children's centres offering early years provision by 2010 and in every full daycare setting by 2015. The Children's Workforce Development Council believe that over time only those with EYPS should lead the delivery of the new Early Years Foundation Stage.
The early years professional will model the skills and behaviours that safeguard and promote good outcomes for children and will have the leadership skills and personal qualities to change practice, support and mentor others, raise expectations and encourage and support learning and professional development.
EYPS is a graduate-level status. Graduates with a wide range of experience and qualifications working in a range of settings and roles, as well as new recruits, are potential candidates for EYPS. The graduate's skills and expertise in early years determines the EYPS pathway they take. The four pathways to gain EYPS are:
- Validation pathway (assessment only)
- Short Extended Professional Development pathway
- Long Extended Professional Development pathway
- Full Training pathway
In both pathways 3 and 4, students are able to gain a BA Hons degree.
Content
Depending on the EYPS pathway enrolled on, students study a selection of the following courses as part of a BA Hons:
- Leading and Managing in Early Years (30 credits)
- Child Development and Learning: Birth to Five Years (30 credits)
- Mentor Development: The Practice-Based Teacher (15 credits)
- Recognising Children at Risk (15 credits)
- Curriculum and Assessment inEarly Years: Workplace Project (30 credits)
- Leading and Managing Early Years (30 credits)
- Child Development and Learning: Birth to Five Years (30 credits)
- Keeping Children Safe from Harm (15 credits)
- Mentor Preparation for the Children's Workforce (15 credits)
- Curriculum and Assessment in Early Years: Workplace Project (30 credits)
Applicants for this programme are subject to the following:
- Criminal Records Bureau check
- Occupational health screening