Early Years Professional Status

Best Practice Network is the leading provider of EYPS. Early Years Professional Status is for graduates and undergraduates working with, or aspiring to work with, children up to the age of five in maintained, private or voluntary and independent settings. EYPS training provides the opportunity for early years practitioners and new entrants to the sector to demonstrate the excellence of their personal practice, as well as their ability to lead and support the practice of others. Marion Dowling is our Programme Adviser and many of our tutors and mentors are EYPs themselves. Pathways last from 6 to 12 months and are available across the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, South West, South East and London.

Who is this for:

Training to become an Early Years Professional has been specifically designed to welcome candidates with different backgrounds, levels of experience and qualifications.We welcome new graduates as well as those already working in the early years sector.

The two 'practitioner' pathways are part-time and designed for current practitioners. The two 'entry' pathways are full-time and designed for new entrants to the workforce.

At the start of each EYPS Pathway each candidate must have:

Been subject to a new Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure check which shows that they do not have a criminal background that might prevent them working with children and have not previously been excluded from working with children. A CRB check must be carried out even if the candidate has been subject to an enhanced CRB disclosure check for or through another organisation, for example an employer.
Achieved a standard equivalent to grade C or above in GCSE mathematics
Achieved a standard equivalent to grade C or above in GCSE English Demonstrated that they are able to read effectively and communicate clearly and accurately in English to a standard equivalent to Level C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
The right to study in the UK for at least the duration of their pathway
The right to work in the UK for at least the duration of their pathway

It is also necessary that:

All candidates hold a degree awarded by a United Kingdom higher education institution (or recognised overseas equivalent) before their EYPS assessment for accreditation takes place
All elements of the EYPS Pathways are delivered in England (although delivery can be national and international for self-funded candidates)
Where appropriate, candidates on the EYPS Pathways are working in, or undertaking work-based placements in settings in England

Self funded candidates must meet all mandatory eligibility and entry requirements. Depending on your previous experience, you will be suitable for one of four pathways. If you have an Early Years Foundation Degree (Level 5) or an equivalent qualification, you will be eligible for the Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway (UPP) and will be able to top up to a full degree during the programme.

What does it cost:

Depending on regional availability of places on each pathway, for eligible candidates:

All EYPS training pathways are fully funded.
A bursary is available to candidates undertaking the Undergraduate Entry and Graduate Entry Pathways.
For employers, supply cover will be made available for the time the candidate is out of their setting on training and placements (Graduate Practitioner Pathway & Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway only).
Childminders are eligible for funding alongside other candidates and will attract the same supply cover.

CWDC also offers a self-funded option for candidates who are not eligible for funding but wish to pursue Early Years Professional accreditation. Please get in touch to find out more about this option.

For candidates currently working in private, voluntary and independent early years settings, your employer may be able to receive additional support from their local authority.

How do I apply/find out more:

Please email eyps@bestpracticenet.co.uk or call us on 0117 9209421 for more details and to see if you are eligible for training and support towards EYPS.

Application form:

EYPS Practitioner Pathway application form

EYPS Entry Pathway application form

Graduate Entry Pathway

Duration: 12 - 24 months
Bursary: £3,500
Typical candidate: Person with a degree and limited experience of working with children from birth to five but who are looking to pursue a career working in early years.

Graduate Practitioner Pathway

Duration: 6 months
Supply cover: £800 maximum
Typical candidate: Experienced graduate currently working in the early years sector who requires a small amount of learning before they can demonstrate the EYP Standards.

Undergraduate Entry Pathway

Duration: 12-24 months
Bursary: £3,500
Typical candidate: Undergraduate undertaking a degree in Early Childhood Studies. The two 'practitioner' pathways are part-time and designed for current practitioners. The two 'entry' pathways are full-time and designed for new entrants to the workforce.

Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway

Duration: 12-18 months
Supply cover: maximum £3,200
Typical candidate: A current employee working in the sector with a Level 5 qualification for example a foundation degree in early year or a graduate who needs further experience/training in leading and supporting other practitioners or personal practice in one or more age group.

Extended EYPS funding and places to maintained settings

CWDC has also confirmed that from January 2012, funding for Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) will be available for staff working across all setting types in the early years' workforce, including maintained settings. To be eligible for an EYPS practitioner pathway, it is necessary to have current or recent experience of leading and supporting practitioners who work with babies, toddlers and young children. This means that staff working in nursery schools and maintained schools with nursery/reception classes can be funded as well as those settings previously eligible (Private, voluntary and independent settings and children’s centres). Candidates on full time training pathways taking placements in maintained schools will also have funded access to the EYPS programme.

Priority places and funding will be available to candidates from under-represented groups and those working in settings in disadvantaged areas.

Our HEI partners

Best Practice Network is working in partnership with the following Colleges/Universities to support candidates wishing to complete the Undergraduate Entry Pathway (UEP) or the Graduate Practitioner Pathway (GPP):

Swindon College
University of Plymouth
Birmingham City University
Staffordshire University
Warwick University
University of Wolverhampton
Calderdale College
Doncaster College
Harrogate College
Leeds Metropolitan University

Notes

Candidates who have previously, following assessment, received a ‘Not Met’ outcome will not be able to re-start a pathway and access CWDC funding. They would have to self-fund or obtain alternative sponsorship (setting/LA etc).
Candidates will not be able to change pathway.
Candidates will only be able to defer in exceptional circumstances (requests for deferral have to be made to CWDC direct).
Providers for EYPS are not allowed to deliver outside their delivery region (i.e. no more Ashton College delivery). Candidates are able to come to us and cross regional boundaries but we cannot actively approach/promote.
Practitioners/settings entitled to claim supply cover can only claim for expenditure incurred and evidence of supply cover/expenditure must be provided as proof prior to payment by BPN.
HEIs delivering academic study for EYPS candidates will be entitled to receive £1450 per student. Nothing more. This is ringfenced by CWDC. Only HEIs listed above can work with BPN on the Undergraduate routes.