EYPS, any experiences?

[mafog]

I'm interested in retraining to get this qualification. It's something I've considered for a few years but only recently has it become a more realistic option.

Has anyone done it or are you going through it at the moment? Would be interested to know your thoughts on it and if it has helped you in the workplace.

i am currently doing my degree through the OU and will be doing the EYPS after i complete my degree.. I am lucky enough to be funded by my local council in my training.
My manager has just spent 3 years doing her foundation degreee and the last year topping it up to a BAhons and doing her EYPS alongside.
Obviously with so much emphasis on training etc the EYPS is a good thing BUT there are no real jobs for the qualification as such. Once completed i wont be any better off than i am now financially although i am loving the new knowledge and obviously this benefits the children immensely. My main reason for following the EYPS training course is that in a few years i wont be qualified enough to do the job im currently doing and have been doing for 15 years which seemed ludicrous to me!

I'm doing it at the moment and it isn't really helping me in the workplace as I'm not in a management position, so I still have to do as I'm told basically. My boss is pretty good in that she will ask me my opinion on things, but in the end, she has the final say and often tends to ignore my opinion.

Having said that, although it is a bit demoralising for me at the moment work wise, personally, it is a really good thing as it is making me actively reflect on my practice with the children, which is something I have found difficult before. I have become much more self critical and I have learnt that I'm not always right .

It's pretty easy to manage too. I started mine alongside my BA Hons. I have since finished my degree and am continuing on the long pathway for EYPS. I have found it ok, with 2 kids (I was pg with DD2 until recently too) and now 3 kids, house, DH etc etc.

If you are seriously contemplating it, I would do it now before the services for children changes and the new govt scrap it

Thanks for answering, it's good to know there are some real life people doing the course rather than the glossy examples in the brochures.

I did wonder about the jobs thing, it all seems a bit too vague on the websites I've looked at.

I was looking at doing it through ndma (and the OU) or at my local university. I'm not currently working in the EY sector, though I am a qualified teacher. I'm wondering if not having very much EY experience will further go against me, when it comes to the job front.

How have your placements worked out in the training?

ETA having reread my post it sounds rather rude I am sure you are both glossy too - what I meant is that you're letting me know about the warts and all

I am a seriously unglossy example of an EYP. I am a childminder and did the course to sort of "transfer" my unrelated degrees to an EY related field. Sort of!

It has not changed my working life, nor increased my income, but I think it may make me slightly more marketable over another CM looking for work outside of the CM environment??? Not sure.

But I am glad I did it, though with personal matters taking over very soon after I finished the (short pathway), I cannot say for sure that it has changed my practice in any way - maybe more assertive and confident if anything.

I've done it. It hasn't helped me in the workplace at all, did it more to make sure the pre-school has an EYPS by 2015.

I enjoyed meeting the others on the course though.

I'm about to finish it (got my setting visit on Tuesday, eeek!) and it won't help me at all in my current workplace. They do employ EYPs as preschool teachers, but they already have 2, so I will effectively be just an ordinary nursery nurse, on nursery nurse wage.

I have applied for a job as an EYP running a nursery (as in working in the rooms getting it up to scratch and making sure everyone is aware of their roles within the EYFS as opposed to running the nursery as in being a manager) so fingers crossed I will get a job that recognises my EYP status. I do know that I am extremely lucky in finding this job and that most EYPs are working as nursery nurses.

Nicocacola, good luck for tomorrow!

I found it an odd day because I did my first interview and tour and then it seemed like FOREVER until the last bit and I couldn't concentrate on anything at all!

another best of luck tomorrow, hope it goes well and do report back.