EYPS Early Years Professional Status
The Full Pathway combines taught theory sessions with valuable work experience placements for graduates wishing to pursue a career working with children in the Early Years.
Download the Full Pathway leaflet (pdf).
The Short and Long Pathways are part-time extended professional development routes for graduates currently working with children in Early Years settings.
Download the Short/Long Pathway leaflet (pdf).
In February 2006 the Government published its response to the Children’s Workforce Strategy consultation, in which a commitment is given to developing a new Early Years Professional (EYP) role.
It is intended that a graduate EYP will lead multi-professional early childhood practice across the new Early Years Foundation Stage in all statutory, private, voluntary and independent settings by 2015. EYPs are intended to be equal in status to teachers. EYP pathways are open to all graduates with an interest in Early Years and eligible for funding.
In the Autumn Term of 2006, the Early Years and Childhood Studies team at MMU was chosen by the CWDC as one of thirteen organisations to pilot the training and assessment leading to EYP status.
Benefits of EYP
- Official recognition of skills in working with young children
- New career structure created by the Government
- Improving quality in settings through having an EYP
- Continuing Professional Development for 0-5 years practitioners
Not a graduate and want to prepare for Early Years Professional Status?
If you do not have a degree or HND but have instead for example a CACHE, NNEB or BTEC qualification, with experience of working with 0-5 year olds, and have not yet started an undergraduate course, but you still aim to work with children and want to gain the EYPS status, MMU can help you.
We have the Foundation Degree in Early Years Practice which offers you 240 CATS points, just click on the link provided to find out more about it. The Foundation Degree allows you to continue in work, it is not a full time course. Successful completion of this will allow you to complete the EYPS Long route, which will give you the ultimate qualification of BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies.
Refer to the CWDC website (to see the Standards, FAQs and more)
"Research has demonstrated that the quality of work in early childhood settings depends on the level of training and support offered to practitioners.
For many years I and others have campaigned for graduate status for all early years professionals. Finally the award of Early Years Professional is the culmination of all these efforts and I am proud and delighted that MMU is once again at the forefront of such a major national development. " - Lesley Abbot
What Have We Acheived?
- 93% Pass Rate across all pathways
- 100% pass rate for candidates that took the Validation pathway in January 2008, and September 2007
- CWDC Rating = Excellent in Quality Assurance feedback
- Involved in 2 CWDC National Pilot schemes
- Over 475 candidates registered
- Over 210 Settings registered
- Over 150 Placements registered to take on Full Pathway candidates
- Over 45 Academics, Mentors, Assessors and Moderators
- 100 candidates on Full Pathway
- Excellent feedback from candidates across all pathways
- Courses in Didsbury and Crewe
EYPS Full Pathway Candidate Achievement Recognition, June 2008
