News

by Maureen Lee, EYPS Programme Leader, Best Practice Network 

EYPS is a new initiative that supports the professional development of practitioners and provides formal recognition for their work leading practice across the Early Years Foundation Stage.  

How is the Status achieved? 

All candidates will need to hold at least a Level 5 qualification and will be guided to one of four pathways, according to experience: 

• the validation pathway: six and a half days’ preparation and assessment over a three month period – for candidates who are working at the level of all the standards;  

• the short Extended Professional Development (EPD) pathway: part-time (up to 12 days including placement) over three months, followed by validation; 

• the long EPD: part-time top-up over 12 months for those with a Foundation degree, followed by validation; and 

• the full-time training pathway: full-time (36 weeks including placements for 18 weeks) over 12 months, including validation.

Case studies illustrating each pathway are available on www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/eyps.html.  

Best Practice Network programmes are modular, delivered through group work, individual study and work-based learning. They build on Best Practice Network’s successful involvement in the EYPS pilot and are facilitated by experienced trainers who establish a supportive learning environment and build participants’ confidence.  

We are delighted to have Marion Dowling as our Programme Adviser for EYPS. Marion’s expertise and inspiration is highly valued across the early years sector. She has written many influential publications, and is President of Early Education and has been a consultant to the DfES, Ofsted, the Audit Commission and many local authorities. Marion will be working closely with our specialist early years tutors across our EYPS pathways.

During validation, candidates will be assessed against all the EYPS Standards, which set out expectations for professional leadership and personal practice. Through written tasks and workplace interviews, assessment will focus on the practical application of the required skills and knowledge, working with babies, toddlers and young children, and in different settings. 

How is it funded? 

Funding and training provision for EYPS is for the private, voluntary and independent sectors only and the priority is for full day care settings.

Training costs are centrally funded and there are no costs to individuals or settings. In addition, supply cover costs will be made to each setting to the value of £500, £1,000 and £4,000 on the validation, short EPD and long EPD pathways respectively.

Candidates on the full-time pathway receive a bursary of £5,000. In addition, full day care settings in the private, voluntary or independent sector employing a graduate with a degree should contact their local authority to access a Quality Premium of £5,000 per annum to spend on professional development of staff who will qualify for EYPS within two years.  

A Recruitment Incentive of £3,000 per annum for employing a graduate for the first time is also available. 

If you have any queries about whether you would qualify for training and funding, please contact the Best Practice Network office, details below.

Next Steps 

Best Practice Network’s registration form, available online will guide candidates towards the most appropriate pathway. 

For further information please contact eyps@bestpracticenet.co.uk or visit www.bestpracticenet.co.uk. 

Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) 

CWDC is responsible for driving forward and promoting EYPS by working with partners in the early years sector.       

January 2007

pressoffice@voicetheunion.org.uk

More on EYPS

Speech by National Chairman 2006

PAT/PANN Official Response 2006