Caring for Children's Development

EM Direct has been awarded a 5 year contract with the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) as a provider of funded training and assessment for Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) in the Government Office regions of the East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.

EYPS is aimed at individuals wanting to change career or for those currently working with the 0-5 age range in early years settings:

• Day Nurseries,
• Playgroups,
• Children’s Centres,
• Childminding, and
• LA Staff may also be eligible

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View the EM Direct EYPS Eligibility Flowchart

EYPS recognises the professionalism of work undertaken in the early years and offers a professional status which can be used for career development and progression (CPD). One of the main purposes of the Status is to ensure that all children receive the best possible early years care and education.

The Government aims to have an Early Years Professional in every Children’s Centre by 2010 and one in every full day care setting by 2015.

EM Direct is offering training throughout the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber regions.

To gain EYPS there are 4 “Pathways” available. The Pathways range from 4 months, Validation only Pathway, to the 16 months Extended Professional Development (EPD) Pathway comprising of 12 months training/placement and 4 months assessment/validation. The length of Pathway will be determined by individual needs, experience and expertise within the early years.

These pages provide all the relevant information for anyone working, or wanting to work, in Early Years and opportunities to attain the Early Years Professional Status.

For further information on Early Years Professional Status training and status:

Telephone our Early Years Team on 01476 512799, or
Email: earlyyears@emdirect.co.uk.

Pathways to Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)

There are four Pathways to achieve EYPS:

• The Validation Pathway. Part-time 4 month assessment period.
• The Short Extended Professional Development (EPD) Pathway. Part-time 3 month training programme followed by Validation, part-time 4 month assessment period.
• The Long Extended Professional Development (EPD) Pathway. Part-time 12 month training programme followed by Validation, part-time 4 month assessment period.
• The Full Training Pathway. Full time course including training, placements and Validation, the assessment period (applicable to those not employed in EY settings)

Candidates with relevant Level 3 and 4 qualifications will need to achieve a degree or equivalent qualification before they can embark on one of the pathways identified above. Candidates with an Early Years Foundation Degree (Level 5) or equivalent qualification can complete the Long EPD pathway gaining the relevant degree modules to the value of 60 points at HE Level 3 before embarking on the assessment and validation process. Depending on previous experience, candidates with a degree (Level 6), working within Early Years settings, could be eligible for the Validation or Short EPD Pathway. For those not employed within an Early Years setting but with knowledge and/or experience of child development and professional practice with the 0-5 age range, will be eligible for the Full Training Pathway. It is anticipated that over time that the CWDC will look at pathways to EYPS for those with Level 3 qualification and significant relevant experience.

As part of the process of helping candidates identify which is the most appropriate pathway, we will work with candidates to complete an initial diagnostic assessment of individual training needs. Only those who are close to meeting the Standards will be enrolled on the Validation Pathway. Other candidates will be advised to undertake the Short EPD, Long EPD or the Full Training Pathway prior to Validation.

Contact us on Tel: 01476 512780