EYPS Early Years Professional Status

Summary 2012/13

• Obtain the only professional graduate accreditation for the early years workforce, endorsed by government and increasingly recognised as the credential for leading practice in early years provision;
• Meet a set of national, professional standards that relate to working with children from birth to five;
• Make a positive difference to children’s wellbeing, learning and development;
• Four different routes ensure you can join a programme to match your requirements.

Edge Hill University are working in consortium with Anglia Ruskin University and The University of East London to deliver Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

EYPS is the graduate-level professional accreditation programme for leading practitioners in the early years sector. Since its launch in 2007, EYPS has become recognised as the gold-standard in early years training and the only government endorsed accreditation for the early years workforce.

Early Years Professionals are key to raising the quality of provision in early years settings, leading practice across the Early Years Foundation Stage and being a role model for other practitioners in safeguarding and supporting children's learning and development.

The status is awarded to people who can demonstrate that they meet a set of national, professional standards that relate to working with children from birth to five. Edge Hill University offers four distinct routes to EYPS, reflecting the diverse needs and backgrounds of applicants seeking to become an Early Years Professional.

2012 Entry Requirements

There are specific entry requirements for each pathway and additional criteria that apply to all pathways.

To join each route, you must meet the following pathway-specific criteria:

• Graduate Practitioner Pathway - you must have a first degree and be currently working in the early years sector;
• Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway - you must have an Early Years foundation degree or be a current employee working in the sector;
• Graduate Entry Pathway - you need to have a first degree;
• Undergraduate Entry Pathway - you need to be enrolled on year 3 of a BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree at Edge Hill University or nominated university (still to be announced) in the North East of England;

You will also require at least Grade C in GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics.

Please note, all applicants for this programme will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from the Criminal Records Bureau indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults'. You should not seek to obtain this before applying to the course.

Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited to interview.

Details

Who is this course for?

To cater for applicants from a range of backgrounds, settings and roles, there are four distinct routes to EYPS:

• Graduate Practitioner Pathway - GPP (6 months, part-time) - designed for graduates currently working in the sector, with experience, who require a small amount of learning or further experience before they can demonstrate the EYPS Standards;
• Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway - UPP (12 months, part-time) - designed for experienced employees, currently working in the sector, who have an Early Years foundation degree and who require a small amount of learning or further experience before they can demonstrate the EYPS Standards;
• Graduate Entry Pathway - GEP (12 months, full-time) - designed for graduates new to the workforce with little or no experience of working with young children. Candidates will undertake university-based tutorials and block placements in appropriate early years settings;
• Undergraduate Entry Pathway - UEP (12 months, full time) - designed for undergraduates in year 3 of a BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree. Candidates will undertake university-based tutorials and block placements in appropriate early years settings.

Please note, you must be studying the BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies degree at either Edge Hill University or a nominated University (still to be announced) in the North East of England to access the Undergraduate Entry Pathway.

What will I gain from this programme?

Initial findings from a three-year longitudinal study on the impact and role of Early Years Professionals have shown the positive impact of graduate-level training on the skills, status and on-going professional development of early years practitioners. 76% of respondents felt EYPS had improved their sense of professional status and 80% felt EYPS had increased their confidence as a practitioner.

As an Early Years Professional, you will be a reflective practitioner who is able to lead and support colleagues in order to influence change and improve outcomes for children. EYPS can significantly enhance your ability to effect change in settings, to communicate ideas for effective change to other staff, and to assist you in becoming involved in supporting others through mentoring, coaching and leading professional development activities.

How we will support you

Edge Hill University will support you in achieving Early Years Professional Status by:

• Undertaking a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) at the start to inform your Training Plan;
• Identifying a mentor to support you in meeting the Early Years Professional Standards.

You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey.

What will I study?

The training you undertake will be based on your qualifications and experience. Edge Hill University will help you choose the right pathway to become an Early Years Professional.

You will need to become familiar with, and reflect upon, your practice in relation to the set of professional standards which indicate what Early Years Professionals must know, understand and be able to do in order to achieve EYPS.

The national standards are arranged into six areas:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Effective practice
• Relationships with children
• Communicating and working in partnership with families and carers
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Professional development

You will also need the skill, creativity, commitment, energy and enthusiasm that leading early years practice requires.

How will I study?

Programme content and delivery varies between pathways.

The Graduate Practitioner Pathway requires 6 months of part-time study while the Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway requires 12 months of part-time study.

The Graduate Entry Pathway and Undergraduate Entry Pathway both take 12 months of full-time study to complete and require you to undertake university-based tutorials and block placements in appropriate early years settings.

Placement

Students on the Graduate Entry and Undergraduate Entry pathways will be required to participate in a series of work-based placements.

Those on the Undergraduate Practitioner and Graduate Practitioner pathways may be required to do a ten day placement with a specific age group to ensure they meet the age-related experience requirements for EYPS.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught by a team of Early Years specialists who have all worked in the sector. Many of the programme team are Early Years Professionals themselves and engage in research activity relevant to the programme.

How will I be assessed?

In order to achieve EYPS, students will undergo a range of training, development and assessment activities that will vary according to the pathway and individual learning and development needs. Effective support, advice and guidance will be provided throughout the process. At the end of the programme, you will be required to take part in a final assessment which consists of a single setting visit during a working day.

During assessment you will need to provide evidence that you meet the professional standards for EYPS in respect of both your personal practice and leadership and support of others. You will be able to attend sessions specifically designed to support you through the assessment process.

What are my career prospects?

Recent national research published by the Department for Education (DfE) highlighted the unique and pivotal role of Early Years Professionals.

The National Evaluation of the Graduate Leadership Fund (July 2011) found that Early Years Professionals have a measurable impact on quality across an early years setting, over and above that of employing a graduate who does not hold the status.

Early Years Professionals were found to improve the quality of support for children's communication, language and literacy, reasoning and thinking skills, scientific understanding and individual needs.

Over 8,000 Early Years Professionals are already working across England, making a positive difference to children's learning and development every day.

Successfully gaining EYPS will demonstrate you have the skills, knowledge and understanding to participate in raising the quality of early years provision and exercise leadership to make a positive difference to children’s wellbeing, learning and development.

Further study at Edge Hill University

MA Education

Related Programmes

• FdA Early Years Leadership
• FdA Early Years Practice
• BA (Hons) Children and Young People's Learning and Development
• BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
• BA (Hons) Early Years Education with QTS
• BA (Hons) Early Years Professional Practice and Leadership

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University.

Download the EYPS application form (pdf) and notes for guidance (pdf).

Fees and Finance

All EYPS training pathways are fully funded by the Children’s Workforce and Development Council (CWDC) for students enrolling on the course in academic year 2012/13. A bursary of £3,500 is available to students undertaking the Undergraduate Entry and Graduate Entry pathways.

Not got the entry requirements?

If you are thinking of working with children and would like to gain EYPS status but have not yet started an undergraduate course, Edge Hill University offers Foundation Degrees in Early Years Leadership and Early Years Practice, with top-up routes to degree level, that combine the relevant qualifications with practical experience. These programmes are for those currently working in or wishing to work in a wide variety of Early Years settings.

If you do not have the relevant GCSEs required for this programme, Edge Hill University offers GCSE equivalency tests.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Lindy Jones, Woodlands Centre, Edge Hill University, Southport Road, Chorley, Lancs PR7 1QR
• Tel: 01257 517127
• Email: eyps@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

The modules are pathway specific and vary depending on previous experience and training. All modules are based on the Early Years Foundation Stage and ensure coverage of the EYPS standards.