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Summary 2010/11

Please note, the Early Years Professional Status long pathway is now closed for September 2010 entry. Applicants who have been informed in writing that they are on the reserve list will remain on the reserve list and will be contacted should any places become available.

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) is not a qualification, it is a new status that will recognise your expertise as a practitioner and a professional leader (Children's Workforce Development Council 2006).

The government's aim is to have an Early Years Professional in every children's centre offering early years provision by 2010 and in every full day care setting by 2015. To become an Early Years Professional (EYP), you need to gain Early Years Professional Status.

EYPS will be 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 graduate-level EYP Standards when working with children from birth to five.

2010 Entry Requirements

Please note, entry criteria depends on which EYPS pathway you wish to join.

Applications for the Short Pathway will be considered from candidates who are employed within a private, voluntary or independent early years setting or children’s centre. Registered childminders operating within a childminder network.are also encouraged to apply. To join the Short Pathway, you must hold a full degree and GCSE Mathematics and English Language (or equivalent) at Grade C or above. You must also demonstrate practice and leadership responsibility across the 0-5 range, be physically and mentally fit, have full CRB clearance, be able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English and demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the achievement of the EYPS.

Applications for the Long Pathway will be considered from candidates who are employed within a private, voluntary or independent early years setting or children’s centre. Registered childminders operating within a childminder network are also encouraged to apply. To join the Long Pathway, you must hold a full degree and GCSE Mathematics and English Language (or equivalent) at Grade C or above. You must demonstrate leadership responsibility / opportunity within your setting and demonstrate evidence of working with children within the 0-5 range. Please note, if you hold an Early Years Foundation Degree, you will be required to undertake a top-up to an Early Years Honours degree and this intention should be clearly stated on the application form. You must be physically and mentally fit, have full CRB clearance, be able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English and demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the achievement of the EYPS.

Applicants for the Full Pathway should hold a full degree and GCSE Mathematics and English Language (or equivalent) at Grade C or above. You must demonstrate commitment to undertaking a full-time programme, be physically and mentally fit, have full CRB clearance, be able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English and demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the achievement of the EYPS.

All applicants will be required to provide evidence of their qualifications, for students who hold qualifications achieved outside of the UK, they should obtain NARIC confirmation of the equivalency and submit this with their application.

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Summary 2011/12

Please note, the Early Years Professional Status long pathway is now closed for September 2010 entry. Applicants who have been informed in writing that they are on the reserve list will remain on the reserve list and will be contacted should any places become available.

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) is not a qualification, it is a new status that will recognise your expertise as a practitioner and a professional leader (Children's Workforce Development Council 2006).

The government's aim is to have an Early Years Professional in every children's centre offering early years provision by 2010 and in every full day care setting by 2015. To become an Early Years Professional (EYP), you need to gain Early Years Professional Status.

EYPS will be 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 graduate-level EYP Standards when working with children from birth to five.

2011 Entry Requirements

Please note, entry criteria depends on which EYPS pathway you wish to join.

Applications for the Short Pathway will be considered from candidates who are employed within a private, voluntary or independent early years setting or children’s centre. Registered childminders operating within a childminder network.are also encouraged to apply. To join the Short Pathway, you must hold a full degree and GCSE Mathematics and English Language (or equivalent) at Grade C or above. You must also demonstrate practice and leadership responsibility across the 0-5 range, be physically and mentally fit, have full CRB clearance, be able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English and demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the achievement of the EYPS.

Applications for the Long Pathway will be considered from candidates who are employed within a private, voluntary or independent early years setting or children’s centre. Registered childminders operating within a childminder network are also encouraged to apply. To join the Long Pathway, you must hold a full degree and GCSE Mathematics and English Language (or equivalent) at Grade C or above. You must demonstrate leadership responsibility / opportunity within your setting and demonstrate evidence of working with children within the 0-5 range. Please note, if you hold an Early Years Foundation Degree, you will be required to undertake a top-up to an Early Years Honours degree and this intention should be clearly stated on the application form. You must be physically and mentally fit, have full CRB clearance, be able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English and demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the achievement of the EYPS.

Applicants for the Full Pathway should hold a full degree and GCSE Mathematics and English Language (or equivalent) at Grade C or above. You must demonstrate commitment to undertaking a full-time programme, be physically and mentally fit, have full CRB clearance, be able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English and demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the achievement of the EYPS.

All applicants will be required to provide evidence of their qualifications, for students who hold qualifications achieved outside of the UK, they should obtain NARIC confirmation of the equivalency and submit this with their application.

Details

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Who is this course for?

EYPS is primarily for:

• Graduates with a wide range of experience and qualifications working in a range of settings and roles.
• People who have a degree level qualification and are aspiring to work in early years as a career development opportunity.

However, you do not necessarily need to have a degree level qualification at the beginning of your training. If you have a Foundation Degree (or equivalent) you can 'top up' your qualifications while you train.

How we will support you

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

• Undertaking a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) at the start to inform your Training Plan;
• Developing a personalised Individual Training Plan with built in flexible learning;
• Identifying a mentor to support you in meeting the EYP Standards

What will I study?

Edge Hill University has been approved by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) as one of the national providers of training and assessment for EYPS. There are four different pathways to EYPS:

• the four-month, part-time validation (assessment only) pathway for those close to demonstrating the Standards (the time commitment for this pathway is 6.5 days over the 4 months); the six-month, part-time short extended professional development (EPD) pathway;
• the fifteen-month, part-time long extended professional development (EPD) pathway;
• the full training pathway lasting twelve months, full-time.

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

To gain an idea of the potential pathway you will follow depending on your experience, you can view profiles of typical candidates for the different pathways (doc).

Please note, in order to be eligible for the part-time pathways, candidates must work in a Children's Centre or in the private, voluntary or independent sector.

EYPS Standards

The standards indicate what you must know, understand and be able to do in order to achieve EYPS.

There are 39 Standards in total and they are organised 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!

What are my career prospects?

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 the vision, commitment and drive to improve outcomes for all children and raise the quality of early years provision. You will have the leadership skills and personal qualities to change practice and raise expectations, whilst supporting and mentoring others with their professional development.

As an Early Years Professional you will gain the recognition you deserve and have the satisfaction of knowing that what you do will play a significant role in the quality of experience for babies, toddlers and young children in your care.

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.

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download the EYPS application form and notes for guidance (pdf).

Applicants with entry qualifications gained outside of the UK should include their NARIC equivalency certificate with their application form.

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

All EYPS training pathways are fully funded. Edge Hill University will not charge fees to any candidates.

Funding is available to candidates on the part-time pathways, working in Children's Centres or the private, voluntary and independent sector. This will include supply cover payments for your employer.

For candidates on the Full Training Pathway, you will receive a bursary of £5,000 (subject to confirmation for 2010/11) in addition to the payment of fees. The bursary is tax free.

Talk to your Local Authority about Graduate Leader Funding streams to support your employer with your professional development.

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 offers Foundation Degrees in Early Years Leadership, Education or 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 GCSE requirements for an EYPS pathway, Edge Hill can assist you in gaining an equivalent qualification.

Where can I find out more?

For advice on the full range of Edge Hill University programmes related to working with children and young people, view our Every Child Matters pages, come to an open event or contact our Enquiries Unit on Freephone 0800 195 5063, email enquiries@edgehill.ac.uk.

Still want more?

For further information about the Early Years Professional Status please contact Lindy Jones on 01695 650806 or email lindy.jones@edgehill.ac.uk.

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