a career as an
immense. Each child’s needs are different knowledge or qualifications require a bit of an
early years
and a major part of the role is to ensure that extra top-up to reach EYPS than that offered
individual children are nurtured and supported by the full pathway. This can be people who
proffessional
in the way that is right for them. You may only don’t have a degree but have qualifications
be with the children for a short time, but your one rung below – such as a Foundation
Want a graduate career where
influence will last a lifetime. Degree – or who need more in the way of
you shape children’s futures
placements or training.
Working as an Early Years Professional is
and allows you to draw on your
certainly rewarding. Being in daily contact The long pathway consists of an assessment
own creativity and sense of fun? with the imaginations and curiosities of the of your skills and needs, after which your own
under fives means no two days are alike. You personalised training programme will be
will be leading staff or liaising with parents one produced to help you top-up your skills to
Then look away from the daily
minute, then up to your elbows in paint and reach EYPS.
grind of working nine to five in
clay, or firing children’s interest in music and
favour of a more rewarding stories the next. If you are interested in working in early years
time leading work with the
and in gaining Early Years Professional
Now is an excellent time to work in childcare Status, please call 0800 996 600 or log onto
under-fives.
– especially as an Early Years Professional. www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/futures. The website
Early years services are developing and the provides details on the training and courses
The Early Years Professional Status offers a
government’s aim is to have at least one available and lists the training providers that
new career opportunity for graduates where
person with EYPS in every daycare setting run Pathways to gain Early Years
they can shape the development and care of
by 2015. Professional Status.
children under five during their crucial
formative years. Studying for the Status
As a leader of other early years practitioners, Case Study
equips you with an in-depth understanding of
Early Years Professionals enjoy excellent David Yates, 23, completed the Full
how to support young children’s progress,
career prospects in early years and in wider Pathway at Sheffield Hallam University, and
allowing you to play a crucial role in giving
work with children. Whatever path your career is now working at Tinsley Children’s Centre
them the very best start in life.
takes, working as an Early Years Professional in Sheffield
is an important and rewarding position, which
Early Years Professionals, are now playing a
gives you the chance to play a crucial part in “I completed the Full Pathway with
leadership role in all kinds of early years
children’s lives. Sheffield Hallam University after
settings including nurseries and pre-schools.
graduating. I’d always been interested in
There they plan and design thought-
The numbers of Early Years Professionals is working with children, having volunteered
provoking play activities for young enquiring
increasing as we speak – so why don’t you at a local pre-school when I was doing my
minds, and support the development of
take the plunge? A-levels and during my degree. But it was
every child, while also helping to guide other
on seeing an advert for Early Years
members of the team.
How do I become an Early Years Professional Status that I felt inspired to
Professional? consider it as a career choice.
Research shows that the first five years of a
There are different Pathways to reaching Early
child’s life are the most important – the
Years Professional Status, run by 35 training After receiving helpful advice from Sheffield
bedrock of their later achievements – so your
providers across the country, fees will be paid Hallam University I began the full-time course
impact as an Early Years Professional will be
for you in most cases and bursaries are also which was really informative, fun and helped
available. The Pathway you follow depends on me to meet other early years workers and
your qualifications, skills and experience. discuss ideas. It helped reinforce my belief
These include: that working with children was definitely what I
wanted to do.
The Full Pathway (12 months, full time)
This is designed for people with degrees and I now feel like I have gone from strength to
the potential to move into early years. It’s ideal strength. I work full-time at the Tinsley
for recent graduates and career changes. It Children’s Centre in Sheffield and enjoy
involves taught courses and extended every minute of my job. I would encourage
placements in early years settings, to help graduates and men to seriously consider
build up practical experience. working in early years as a career choice.
It was the best decision I made in my life
The Long Pathway (15 months, part time) and I wouldn’t consider working in any
The long pathway is for people whose other field now.”
30 GRAD MAG
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