Going through the gateway

The journey towards becoming an Early Years Professional takes commitment, self-belief, openness to feedback and a willingness to rethink, so that each candidate's personal journey to early years professional status (EYPS) is the right one for them.

Checking progress on the journey

All candidates must go through the EYPS Gateway Review to check progress and preparedness for EYPS assessment. Inspired by established best practice in assessing potential and performance within other professions and sectors, the Gateway Review is designed to assess the three fundamental skills of an EYP; the ability to:

• Make decisions on the basis of sound judgement.
• Lead and support others.
• Relate to, and communicate with, others.

How does the EYPS Gateway Review work?

The review takes just half a day of a candidate's time - but demands considerable amounts of energy, focus and involvement. Small groups of candidates go through a set of standard exercises that test and check their performance in action.

Three assessors observe and assess the skills in action through a role-play (complete with actor), presentation and group discussion, a written timed exercise and one-to-one structured interview. This is not an abstract talk about what candidates would do, it is engagement with first-hand, situations to demonstrate what they really can do. Assessors' notes are later formed into detailed constructive feedback for each candidate against the skill areas, identifying strengths and areas for further development. The feedback is then discussed between the candidate and their tutor, who will support them in putting together an action plan to set the course for the next stage of the journey. Such detailed, evidence-based feedback on one's own performance is rare and greatly valued.

What preparations do we need to make?

Most candidates are extremely nervous (to say the least). Of course, we cannot divulge the scenarios or the precise detail of the exercises because this would compromise the integrity of the process. But we do spend focused time together thinking about and practising principles of personal effectiveness for the type of situations the four exercises represent. We also try to dispel the 'actor' fear by suggesting they might meet the television star of their dreams Going through the Gateway to success The process builds on the 'positive' and confirms or re-focuses the route map for each candidate's journey to EYPS. Assessors are always impressed with the way that candidates respond to the unexpected, demonstrate finely balanced judgement, take others' perspectives into account and remain positive and bright throughout.

Of course, for all candidates there are areas of relative weakness. For some, it is responding and writing at speed. For others, the ability to take in and deal with underlying aspects of an issue. In some cases, the feedback prompts a change of direction, timescale or approach. It can bring realisation that more time or more focused actions are needed.

What feedback do we get on the Gateway experience?

These examples from candidate evaluations of Gateway Reviews will give a flavour of its success. Although nervous beforehand, most felt it was an anxiety worth experiencing. They are pleased with the level of detail in the feedback they receive and feel supported to move forward, taking on board the areas pinpointed for further development:

'I was nervous before the Gateway, particularly about the role-play. But I realised after the day that I was much better prepared than I could have hoped.'

'I found the writing exercise challenging and, therefore, the most useful for identifying gaps in knowledge.'

'Overall, I feel confident that I know what I need to do next and that the opportunities are there for me to develop both my knowledge and skills.'

What do the assessors say?

We have an excellent team of assessors who really enjoy the work. This year we have grown the team with EYPs who have trained as assessors after gaining the status - they now apply their decision making, leadership and communication skills to assessing others in these same skills. Of a recent review, one assessor said:

'We were all impressed with the quality and integrity of the candidates' responses - they were certainly of the calibre required of EYPs.'

EYE Volume 11, No 9, January 2010

Reproduced with permission. Early Years Educator (c)2010 MA Education Limited.

EYE is available through subscription or from selected newsagents and bookstands. It features a broad range of professional articles for practitioners who are serious about developing their career including information for those working, or wanting to work, in early years and attain the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).