EYPS Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Please see the Childminder FAQs for specific questions relating to childminders and our qualifications guidance page for degree or GCSE equivalence queries. The CWDC website also has a useful FAQ section.

What are the entry requirements for EYPS?

To be accepted onto the any of the four pathways you must have GCSEs in Maths and English or equivalent. We will pay for you to take an equivalence test once if you need to.

You must also have either an ordinary degree or a foundation degree in any subject. If you have a foundation degree you will need to do a top-up course to make it into a full degree which we fund. This would put you on the long pathway.

Who is eligible for EYPS?

If you would like to do the Full Pathway, which is full-time and not work based, the only eligibility requirement is that you have a degree in any subject.

To be eligible for a work based pathway you must work in the private, voluntary or independent sector, or be a childminder or work in a children's centre or in a LA as an Advisory Officer. Those working in the maintained sector are not eligible for this funding.

I work in a Children's Centre that is run by a school in the maintained sector; will I still be eligible to do EYPS?

People working in Children's Centres are priority recipients of EYPS funding. As long as your Children's Centre is on the list provided by the CWDC and you are employed by the Children's Centre, then you will be eligible to do EYPS.

If a person is spending at least 50% of their working time in a children's centre and they meet all other entry criteria then they are eligible for EYPS. For example if someone is employed as a Speech & Language therapist by the NHS but spends 50% of their time in children's centres then they are eligible.

Do I have to be a setting manager in order to do EYPS?

No, you don't need to be a setting manager. To gain EYPS you need to show you are leading practice, but this doesn't mean doing so in terms of being a manager. We do have candidates that are managers or deputy setting manager but also many others that have a range of other roles, e.g. room leaders or assistant room leaders.

The leading of practice refers to how the candidate shows that they are influencing and guiding the work of other practitioners by implementing good practice themselves and by modeling, advising, mentoring, working alongside and supporting other colleagues.

I have a degree in physics can I still do EYPS?

Yes. If you are looking for a career in Early Years and have little or no previous experience you can apply to do the full pathway, which is full time over 12 months and includes 18 weeks of placements in a setting. There is a bursary of £5000 available to support you. If you are currently employed in an early years setting, the pathway you follow would depend on the depth and extent of your early years experience.

I don't have a degree but 20 years of experience, can I apply?

The minimum requirement for EYPS is that you have a Level 5 Foundation Degree in Early Years or equivalent. If you do not have a degree or Foundation Degree, you will not be able to do EYPS at the moment, regardless of how many years experience you have working in the sector. You can enrol on a foundation degree course and then join a later EYPS cohort when you have your qualification.

I don't have GCSE Grade C or above equivalent qualifications. Can I still apply?

If you do not meet the GCSE requirements, we can help you to do an equivalence test.

I see that only candidates in the Private, Voluntary and Independent sector can apply, I work as an Early Years advisor - am I eligible?

Yes you are. Early Years Advisors and any other setting support staff are eligible to apply for EYPS. However, you would not be eligible for the funding towards your release costs.

I teach foundation stage in a primary school, am I able to apply?

If you work full time in a maintained school no. But if you work in a private or independent primary school and you also have recent professional experience of working with babies and toddlers you can.

Picking a pathway and attending training

I do not have experience of leading practice in all three age groups of babies, toddlers and young children. Which pathway should I follow?

You could do the short pathway which is 6 months including validation, but if you feel you need more experience you can also enter the long pathway which is 15 months including validation. In this time, you would be able to do placements and activities in your own setting and elsewhere to gain the experience you need of leading practice.

I'm not sure which pathway I should be on, how do I decide?

Candidates are allocated on pathways depending on previous knowledge, experience and qualifications. For the validation, short and full pathway candidates need to have a Level 6 (ordinary) degree and GCSE Maths and English with Grade C or above (or equivalent). If you have a Foundation Degree and need a top-up you can enter the long pathway to do EYPS alongside topping up your degree. For the validation, short and long pathways you need to be working in a setting. Other than these requirements, it is your preferred time frame and previous experience that determines which pathway is most suitable for you.

How often will I attend training?

The number of training days will vary depending on what pathway you are doing, but training attendance is around half-a-day or a day every month. There are some sessions that you will need to attend, so you are fully prepared for the EYPS assessment activities. We have had extremely positive feedback about those days and the opportunity to network with colleagues. Where there are special circumstances that prevent you from attending, we can provide alternative support.

You will also need to attend a half day event called the Gateway Review of Skills which is an essential part of the EYPS programme for all candidates.

EYPS qualification entry requirements

I need a top up for my foundation degree, do I need to find a university to take me on or do you?

You can contact the HEI where you did your Foundation Degree and see if they can offer you a place on a top-up. You can also contact other universities and colleges that you would like to attend. Otherwise we will help you to find a place on a top-up course.

EYPS Costs and Funding

How much does EYPS cost?

EYPS does not cost anything for settings and individuals. Training costs are centrally funded and there is also funding available for release costs, depending on the pathway you follow, of up to £4000 and a bursary of £5000 for graduates doing EYPS full-time.

Will I be able to have my top-up from foundation degree to full degree funded by the training provider if I do it before I start on my EYPS pathway?

If you achieve your degree before starting to work towards EYPS with us, we will not be able to fund your top-up fees. However, if you have completed your degree (i.e. meet the degree requirement) you will be able to start on the short extended professional development or validation pathway straight away. Alternatively, you can start the long EPD pathway in September and do your top-up alongside EYPS in which case you would be fully funded for the top up fees.

I'm a childminder so I don't have a setting manager, how does the setting funding work for me? Also how can I show leading practice when I work alone?

The setting funding would go directly to you towards cover for release cost when you attend training. There are a number of ways in which you can show you are leading practice as a childminder. Ask yourself whether you are involved with a childminder network or pre-school, do you lead a toddler group, are you a support childminder or do you plan with other childminders? These and many more scenarios would all be perfect examples of how you lead and influence practice and you can draw from these experiences when doing EYPS.

Please see the 'Childminder FAQs' for specific questions relating to childminders.

How does my setting get the funding to release me for EYPS?

The funding can be claimed in instalments with the last one after you have been assessed. At each instalment point, your setting would send us an invoice for the amount to be claimed. Your setting can claim the funding provided you have done the coursework required of you.

Will I be able to say that I am a student whilst studying EYPS so as to be exempt from council tax?

When you have registered with us and started on your pathway, we will be able to give you a confirmation letter stating that you are a student which you can use as proof of your student status. This will only apply to candidates on the full pathway, as they are considered full time students; other candidates (because they are employed) are considered part-time.