Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)

Early Years Professional Status from January 2012

In January 2012 the Early Years Professional Status will be re launched in Lincolnshire with a new provider.

Early Years Professional Status is a Graduate Level status which represents the ‘gold standard’ within the Early Years workforce. To become an EYP, candidates must demonstrate effective and reflective practice and leadership whilst successfully supporting young children’s learning and development.

The Coalition Government has renewed its commitment to support practitioners within the Early Years sector work towards becoming Early Years Professionals.

 In July 2011 The Department for Education published a review of the Graduate Leader Fund, which found that ‘Settings which gained a graduate leader with EYPS made significant improvements in quality as compared with settings which did not.’ A Review of the Graduate Leader Fund, Final Report, Department for Education, July 2011. This continued recognition of the difference being made by EYPs to the lives of young children has supported the continued commitment to promote graduate leadership within the sector.

The lead provider within Lincolnshire will now be The University of Northampton who will be delivering in conjunction with Bishop Grosseteste University College, Lincoln. Candidates who are happy to travel out of County may also apply to The University of Derby.

If you have, or are working towards, a Level 5 or 6 and you hope to go on and become an Early Years Professional; the following pages will outline your options. Alternatively please contact the Workforce Team at the Birth to Five Service on 01522 552752 for more information and advice.