Report RE: Why bother achieving EYP status?

Original Post

by: Annie

Very interested to read all your coments. Some years ago I was in the same situation - a three year social work course made me a highly qualified nursery officer in social services but I was paid no more than the other nursery nurses, who hadn't bothered to apply for secondment to the course. I later opened my own nursery and training centre and used the skills the course had enabled me to develop, in training young nursery nurses, understanding children's needs etc. The nursery was successful - I had my returns in ways - including financial later on. It is true that I was never able to pay myself as much as I would have earned working for the local authority but it was all worth it in the end. Training is always useful - learning more about your job makes you more proficient and that makes you more employable. As an employer I employed staff with degrees (I had two teachers on staff) as well as staff with no qualifications. I looked for someone with good practical skills, a kindly attitude and an ability to understand and translate theory to the nursery situation. Sometimes I turned away graduates in favour of a sensible, caring and pleasant applicant who I felt would do a better job! I was always willing to take a risk on an applicant who demonstrated a love of children and they mostly paid me back by becoming superb members of staff. However, I was  also always impressed by an applicant who had bothered to do extra training in order to develop her skills and knowledge. Good luck to you all.

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