EYPS Full training pathway case studies

Tania Schmieder (January 2009)

I originally trained to be a doctor and I worked in medicine for a year after graduating but knew long before that that it wasn't something that I really wanted to pursue. So I was looking for something else to do that I felt was equally worthwhile, because that's very important to me. I had been very impressed by the idea of Sure Start Children's Centres which I had come across at some point during my time in medicine. It was through Sure Start that I found out about Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) and Best Practice Network (BPN) and the opportunity to train to work with children from birth to five. Their full pathway to EYPS was attractive because it is so flexible and I could retrain in just a year. The bursary is very helpful too.

I'm on a steep learning curve and I don't always get everything right, but I'm enjoying the challenge; it keeps me on my toes. I feel it is a real privilege to be working with such little people, and it's a much more joyful environment than I was used to before. During my first placement, due to the flexibility of the course, I was able to work part time at the local Sure Start Centre which has been a good experience too.

I feel there is great scope with EYPS. It seems it has the potential to open many different doors, including those which could encompass my other interests, such as health education, supporting new mothers, teaching swimming , and encouraging children to be outdoors. I have also taken the opportunity, offered by BPN, to do a level three award in first line management with the Institute of Leadership and Management which complements EYPS very well and which I'm sure will help when I apply for jobs.

I would encourage any graduate who is committed to working with very young children and their families to consider the 12 month full pathway to EYPS. You also need the confidence to lead other practitioners in improving their practice - Early Years Professionals need to be able to sensitively and supportively encourage, guide and train others in the early years settings where they train and later work.

I will finish my training in December 2009 and am really looking forward to securing my first post in the early years sector.

Hannah Hayward (September 2007)

I am 23 and a full pathway candidate for Early Years Professional Status.

I grew up in Seaton, a small seaside town in Devon, before going on to Bristol University to study Early Childhood Studies. After I graduated, I wanted to make direct use of my knowledge and become involved in more practical work with young children.

EYPS is perfect for this purpose. I have really enjoyed my first placement and have learned a great deal about working with children. It has been a brilliant experience being in a nursery full-time and putting into practice all that I have learned.

Best Practice Network has been very flexible and enabled me to undertake my placements in areas that are convenient to me. For example, I recently needed to move away from Bristol for a while. My tutor has been very supportive and has organised my next placement in Somerset, nearer to my home.

My career hopes are to work in a nursery, helping to raise the standards of care and also to specialise in different ways. For example, I want to learn how to teach parents baby massage to help them bond with their baby.

Samantha Balaam (January 2007)

After graduating in 2001 with a degree in Psychology and Sociology, I spent six years working in conveyancing: a job I entered on a temporary basis!

Working with children was always a career I wanted to pursue, having had work experience with young children throughout my school years. With such a variety of courses available today, it was a matter of finding the right one for me. Having read an advertisement detailing the Early Years Professional Status course I decided to do some research to find out more about it. The course sounded perfect for me, not only would I be working with children, but it would provide me with the opportunity to utilise my degree whilst enabling me to learn further skills within leadership and developing others.

I embarked on the full pathway in January 2007. After an initial study period and preparation, I began an eight week placement at Daisy Chain Nursery in Adel, Leeds. I then spent a further ten weeks at their Rothwell nursery and it was at that time that I was offered a permanent position as the Early Years Professional at the Adel nursery.

Although I have not yet completely finished my EYPS programme, I am now viewed as a senior member of the team, leading two members of staff working with children 15- 24 months. I am also currently in the process of finalising the nursery's planning for the Early Years Foundation Stage with my manager and will be taking the lead in training all staff throughout the Daisy Chain Nurseries.

Deciding on a career change is a difficult decision for anyone to make. I chose to do something new and entered onto this course as a full-time student which has involved hard work, commitment and determination.

I'm now approaching my final assessment and looking forward to gaining Early Years Professional Status. My hard work has paid off because I am now doing a job I really enjoy and look forward to the new opportunities that this career will bring.