The first five years of life are critical in children's development. High quality early years provision can help children achieve their potential and support parents and families. High quality provision requires a well-trained, well-supported and highly motivated workforce - and that's where you come in.
Early Years Professionals (EYPs) are key to raising the quality of early years provision. They are 'change' agents to improve practice. They lead practice across the Early Years Foundation Stage in children’s centres, day nurseries independent schools, pre-schools and other early years settings.
Early Years Professionals lead practice across the Early Years Foundation Stage and transform and improve education and care for young children by:
- demonstrating the skills and behaviour of an effective practitioner in their work with children
- leading, supporting and mentoring others
- changing, shaping and improving practice in early years settings
- raising expectations
- encouraging and supporting learning and professional development
To become an EYP, you need to gain Early Years Professional Status (EYPS). This is not a qualification - it's a new status that recognises your expertise as a practitioner and a professional leader.
Early Years Professional Status is awarded to people who can demonstrate that they meet a set of national, graduate-level EYP Standards when working with children from birth to five. The EYP Standards set out the knowledge, understanding, skills and other professional attributes that an EYP will need.
