Please tell me all about Early Years Professional Status,

[KatyMac]

Cos I want to know - for someone else (I don't have a degree)

As far as I know you have to have a Foundation Degree in Early Years and to be able to do the FD you have to have 2 years post NVQ Level 3 Early Years, this is what I came up against last year when i produced my ceritficate and even though I had finished the NVQ Level 3 in 2006 and had 5 years childminding experience plus 17 years of being a Mother(!) they still would not let me do the Degree.

I am looking into doing the Cache Level 3 Certificate in EYFS which is like a 'bolt on' to the NVQ and is only 3 units. Not all colleges offer this yet so its best to check with a local 6th form college of further education college that might.

I would like one day to work for the Early Years team to help existing childminders and train new ones, will ask my co-ordinator how to go about qualifying for this....!

No this is (apparently) for degree qualified staff to get recognition for their Early years experience (I think...maybe??)

I'm doing an Early Childhood degree and there is apparently a "practitioner status option" but I'm not clear means either.

Well my deputy because she has a law degree can do a 'validation' course in 4 months to make her an 'Early Year professional'

You can gain it in a few ways.

The four-month, part-time validation (assessment only) pathway for those close to demonstrating the Standards (the time commitment for this pathway is 6.5 days over the 4 months);

The six-month, part-time short extended professional development (EPD) pathway;

The fifteen-month, part-time long extended professional development (EPD) pathway;

The full training pathway lasting twelve months, full-time.

I am doing the FD and have only passed my NVQ3 last year. I am doing this with the OU, and they do not ask anything other than you are working with children.

Sorry, FD?

Do you have a degree?

Oh Foundation degree

Sorry thebumcleaner, I am currently fixated on her problem

I am considering the OU FD atm - I need to do the second & third levels as they will count a first year I did 20 yrs ago

What's it like?

I am new to mumsnet but would like to enquire on behalf of my husband, who has been a Registered Childminder for 8 years - do any other Childminders feel they are being 'bullied/pressured' into training for an NVQ Level 3 certificate with the prospect of not being able to childmind without one from December 2012?
My husband feels very strongly that positive past performance, as recorded by current inspection procedures and good references from previous and current parents, should be testament enough that he is providing a top rate service. Why is he being forced into this qualification to continue the work he enjoys? Any like minded Childminders out there who share his views?

To do EYPS you need to have either a full degree or a Foundation Degree in Early Years/Early Childhood Studies.

If you have a full degree In any subject you can do the shorter pathways, but this will be dependent on your experience with all the age groups. I think the minimum pathway you can do on the back of your full degree is the year long one.

If you have a Foundation Degree, you can, as I am doing, continue to Year 3 of a BA (Hons) degree in early years/early childhood studies and do the 15 month pathway alongside your top up year. In the 15 months though, again you have to enough experience of working within all the age groups.

I started the BA in September after taking a year out to concentrate on DS and I am due to start EYPS in January. The modules we are doing at uni fit in with the requirements of EYPS so it shouldn't be too much more work. However, I am pg again atm so although it won't get done in 15 months, you can start it, defer and then return or you can carry on as long as you can still pop in and out of the setting and do the work (you don't actually have to be working iyswim?)

HTH

MDSue

Try posting a new thread so people will see the subject line and respond. There's a 'start new thread' option at the top of the page just underneath 'Talk'.

MDsue - start your own thread with a relevant title in order to get a reasonable response

KatyMac, your friend should contact the Children's Workforce Development Council - they can point her in the right direction and advisors at the course providers will be able to inform her which pathway would best suit her.

CWDC's website should probably be the first port of call.

SHe did - it was a while ago

i am currently being funded to do my foundation degree through the open university and in 3 years will start on my pathway to become an early years professional. My local council is funding my degree.

the CWDC funded my short pathyway.

and have I told anyone yet that I got it????? if not, please please please let me inform you: I am now an EYP!!!!!

Congrats Numberfour!

As far as I'm aware, the CWDC will fund all EYP pathways providing candidates are working in the private sector.

I'm not actually sure if you can do it if you're a CM though. My friend was a nanny when she started hers and had to leave her job to work in a nursery to complete it. Might be worth checking out?

there are a few funded childminders in my area working with the OU on the FD. the only criteria is that you work (paid or voluntarily) with children in the EYF stage for a minimum of 12 hours per week and that there are no more than 2 funded workers from one setting!

Childminders can certainly get EYP, although I haven't (not got the FD even) I know of at least 3 other childminders who have got EYP status. One has just stopped childminding due to lack of business & is now tutoring for her local college on Early Years courses.

Secretslattern, thanks! I am a childminder and was able to prove that I had the necessary experience with children but I lacked the experience in Leading and Supporting other practitioners so I was put on the 6 month validation pathway. It is doable as a CM but you have to be quite proactive.