EYPS in association with
Outstanding Professional Development
Delivering beg425er outcomes for children
Professional partners
Gaining professional status is a recognition of achieving certain standards in an early years practitioner’s
career, however, great provision can only really be achieved by building partnerships.
T
HE EARLY Years Professional Status ongoing work to develop outdoor play in their own
(EYPS) programme is grounded settings, was recently presented by Milissa Seiler
in partnership work at Middlesex in a seminar at the recent national event for EYPs,
University, one of the 35 training hosted by the CWDC in Birmingham.
providers in England designated to provide Melissa, who is a deputy manager of a private
pathways to EYPS. nursery in Barnet, had gained EYPS with Middlesex
Th ree years ago, the Validation Pathway was and co-chairs the Barnet EYP Network. Her
piloted at Middlesex, in partnership with CACHE presentation provided an inspiring example to current
and partnership working between the two candidates attending the national event of ways in
organisations has continued to encompass all four which professionals are leading and supporting their
EYPS pathways, based on a shared recognition colleagues to craft change that will result in improved
Shirley Allen
of the value of links established during the outcomes for the children in their settings.
development of the programme. Milissa’s narrative about the Barnet network
is co-programme leader,
Local Authorities are also vital partners, activity also provides an important message about
Early Years Professional
particularly with regard to the support that is the signifi cance of professional status because it is
Status, at Middlesex
provided to EYPs and current candidates, as well as the EYPs themselves who are the most powerful
University
prospective pathway applicants. advocates for their role. Th erefore, another
Th e London Borough of Barnet, for example, signifi cant partner are the EYPs themselves. Th eir
which is the second largest local authority within roles as mentors and assessors on EYPS pathways
London, is working collaboratively with Middlesex not only provides a relevant source of continued
to support provision of placement opportunities professional development but also serves to enrich
for candidates. It is promoting EYPS recruitment provision of the EYPS programme itself.
activity, fostering the work of the growing number Candidates value the involvement of EYPs’
of EYPs in Barnet and encouraging their ongoing because they enable them to overcome challenges
professional development. on their learning journeys and can support their
Delphine Garr, workforce development and understanding of the 39 EYPS standards and
learning manager for Barnet and a member of assessment processes.
Middlesex University’s EYPS Steering Group, Th e CWDC is, of course, an essential partner in
spoke at a celebratory event held earlier this year at the process of EYPS pathway provision. Th ey have
Middlesex to acknowledge candidates’ successful facilitated training providers and local authorities
achievement of EYPS. to work together to develop the role of the EYP
Delphine underlined how Barnet ‘enjoyed and CWDC’s support of recruitment activity
the partnership and the opportunity to work and EYPS events at a national and local level is
with the university’ by supporting candidates ensuring that the role of the EYP is now more
on existing pathways and explained how, once widely recognised and appreciated.
they have gained EYPS, they are off ered further Partnership work, with other EYPS training
support through a network programme and other providers and within the university itself, will
initiatives. continue to be sought. Last year, for example, ways
One such development has been the introduction of developing EYPS candidates’ understanding
of a programme to support candidates who need of inter-professional working were created by
to secure GCSE, or equivalent, English or Maths Middlesex colleagues working on early years,
qualifi cations required for progression to EYPS. health and social work programmes to develop
Th e Barnet EYPS Network, supported by collaborative training opportunities for students
Delphine, is an example of a thriving community across a range of professional disciplines.
of early years practitioners, based in a variety of Partnership work will continue to be valued and
settings, who meet on a regular basis to share and developed at Middlesex because it enriches the
develop their role as EYPs. delivery of EYPS pathways and strongly supports
Th eir research this year on the subject of the crucial role that professionals play in leading
outdoor play, which included visits to settings in practice and supporting other practitioners within
Hertfordshire, Scotland and Sweden, and their the early year’s workforce. eye
Originally published in eye Volume 11 No 5 September 2009 5
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