Early years professional status help!

Early years professional status help!

by: rebeccamoore - 07-02-07 22:43

Hi
I graduated from a Psychology degree last june and since then i have been trying to find a job working with young children. I applied for nursery assistants, teaching assistants in reception etc, and had no luck. I decided this must of been because i had no childcare qualification. I have had limited experience in nurseries and playcentres. But I am now considering starting a EYPS course at my local uni, and just wondered what people thought about this? I do not see any other way of getting into early years at the moment, without doing voluntary work. Views ive heard of EYPS so far have been pretty mixed, id would like to hear any comments. Thanks

by: scarlett

i am going to have to do this EYP course but i cant yet as even though i have many years experience as a manager i do not have a degree.
i have a level 4.
so first i need to do a level 5 then
second i need to do a level 6
3rd i need to do the EYP
so as you can see will take several years.

for you even though you have a degree you will have to be working with children and have the relevant experience.
keep applying for nursery assistant and nursery nurse jobs and try to work your way up...
some nursery may wish to take you on with a view to training you up to be a manager of a setting if the present manager/owner doesnt want to do the EYP
in a few years 2015 all settings have to be run by a level 6 EYP
good luck with what you decide to do.

Early years professional status help! - 26-02-07 09:47

by: deb3

Hi Rebecca,
Have you thought about going into teaching?
Look at the teaching web sites. With a degree you could do a P.G.C.E (one year)and specialise in early years.
You could then either work in a nursery or reception class as a teacher.
It is always good to get as much experience as you can whilst looking into this.
Hope this helps.

Early years professional status help! - 07-06-07 12:13

by: gemmajarvis

hi
does anybody know what qualifications you need to be a midwife?
thanks
gj

Early years professional status help! - 19-06-07 15:27

by: gemmajarvis

hey m8 wubu2? howz u? i bin gd ta! :)

Early years professional status help! - 19-06-07 15:27

by: gemmajarvis

are there any talent scouts out there cuz gemmas in the house n wanna be a model

Early years professional status help! - 13-07-07 12:33

by: WordPlay

Hi Rebecca
I completed by EYPS at Sunderland Uni on the fast track system in the pilot scheme, it was hard work but for me has been well worth it. I had been thinking about starting my own business and it gave me the confidence to do so. This practitioner status gives us who have been in the profession of early years an opportunity to do more with out lives and gain the recognistion that we deserve. When I passed me degree I felt, so I passed my degree, now what? Although starting up a business is very hard work, it also has its rewards. Go for it and see what opens up for you. All the best. Helen

Early years professional status help! - 17-07-07 21:31

by: sweet_female

I have just completed an Early years degree originally with a view to becoming a teacher.Due to not being able to get my maths A-C I have been unable to apply for PGCE therefore I am left fresh out of uni working as a Seniour Nursery Nurse on less money than I was on before I went to Uni! The only positive is that I am gaining valuable experience which hopefully will give me the step up that I need to apply for higher paying jobs with organisations such as sure start. It is completely ridiculous because even though i have a degree, jobs advertised for surestart request 2 years experience which meant that I couldn't apply which is SO frustrating! So unfortunately experience seems to be the key....start at the bottom and all that...

Early years professional status help! - 19-07-07 16:21

by: clowe143

Hi I have a simular problem to "sweet Female" 2 years ago I qualified as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant. In order to complete the course I had to gain GCSE Literacy and Numeracy. I took the Move On level 2 course in both subjects, understanding these were equiverlant to GCSE, to be told now this level is not accepted on the EYPS.

Early years professional status help! - 20-07-07 15:59

by: lreed

Hi I was wondering if anyboby can give me some more information on the EYPS I currently have a level 3 and am a senior nursery nurse i am wanting to further me career and would be greatfull if somebody could point me in the right direction.thanx lisa

lisatina@hotmail.co.uk

Early years professional status help! - 21-07-07 17:51

by: scarlett

What is everyone doing about the EYP?
Are all you managers on the way to doing it?
I've posted about this before I only have a level 4 in management.(and early years level 3 of course)
I dont know which course to do now. Should I do the foundation degree 3 yr course with a level4/5 or do a degree (if i can find a child related 3yr one) level 5 3 yrs

I just wondered what you are all doing?????

Early years professional status help! - 05-08-07 22:08

by: Birbs

I have my BA in early childhood studies (level 6) and im working as a deputy manager of a nursery, im doing the full time one year EYPS course with which i also get a postgraduate certificate in early childhood, care, and education (level 7). I would do whats best for you, im struggling with my job to do this course with it being full time, im worried i won't pass...roll on decemeber when i finish i just hope this year won't be a waste and i will pass.

Early years professional status help! - 06-08-07 10:25

by: scarlett

I've signed up to do the foundation degree.
Should have my interview next week or so.

Early years professional status help! - 08-08-07 18:40

by: olives

hi Ireed, visit this website cwdcouncil.org.uk and you will find more info on the EYPS

Early years professional status help! - 12-08-07 21:20

by: lreed

Thanx olivia

I have already looked at the website and I am now in the process of finally making a decision on which route to take as I dont have my GCSE grade C.
I have been advice to do the professional practice award for a year then do a degree in early years and in the final year of my degree I can study the EYPS. Its going to be hard work but hopefully it will be worth it.

RE: Early years professional status help! - 13-09-07 09:53

by: jo

bye.

 

by: Tiperty

Hiya

I've also gained a degree in early childhood studies this year but have been unable to get a job due to limited experience of planning activies and using birth to three and the foundation stage. So I am therefore starting the full training pathway of EYPS in September (I had hoped just to do the 6month one). Its annoying as I will have to redo a lot of my degree's content! But at least it should give me more confidence when I finally get a paid job.  

by: katie

Hi rebecca

A good idea is to get yourself on the NVQ 3 child care and education course, and then apply for jobs, its sounds silly but they are more likely to take you on if you are going to qualify in childcare. 

 Katie

by: Tink84

I am currently on the full time pathway at Northumbria University and about to hit validation

The university is offering the EYPS along side a Professional Practice Award in Early Years and it this that is stressing me out. this is too allow those that need to bring there level up to level 6 as is currentl required by the Children workforce council. However, there are a few on the course who are doing it who don't qualify to do so in the hope that the CWC will change there mind about who gets funding and who doesn't by the time they hit validation in jan 08

by: Birbs

It will gain you experience as you will do the full time pathway through doing the EYPS. I recommend although its hard work.

by: Tink84

Can i just say that unless you are employed in an early years setting, you will struggle to gain EYPS. Even on the full time pathway as a student it is impossible. Yes they say you can go back two years but do you have evidence for work you did two years ago and are you still in contact with the people who you worked with at the time

 As a student doing the full time  pathway you cannot go into a setting a lead and support the staff there

by: Lizzie

I'm on the full-time pathway and due to start my 18 weeks placement after Christmas.  I'm moving house so unfortunately I don't have any contacts to approach in order to arrange these placements.  I've looked up names and addresses on the local town council website but I'm worried that I will not be able to arrange enough placement.

I'm also concerned that I will struggle to meet all the standards within this 18 week period, when I have had little chance to get to know the staff or the children. 

Is anyone else in a similar position? 

RE: RE: Early years professional status help! - 01-11-07 18:25

by: Hels77

Lizzie,

I'm in a kind of similar situation. My background has been leading a class of 3-4 yr olds in a school setting therefore my 'gap' was with 0-3. I have enrolled on a short pathway which includes a unit on 0-3 which I am now coming to the end of, in readiness for the Gateway review.

In the meantime I have been doing a fortnightly placement for  a full day with the under threes ,however I don t know how I will juggle this with the assessment as I have limited time to carry out the placement yet I will have to be assessed as a 'lead practitioner' in my placement setting? Dont know how this will work??

RE: RE: Early years professional status help! - 10-04-08 20:20

by: theo'smum

I completed my EYPS last year and agree that it is really hard work to complete standards, build relationships, gain experience all at the same time. However, it is a really useful way at looking at good practice in lots of different settings which you can take on with you when you qualify. It's tough but the qualification will be worth it. Good Luck x

by: Tunja

I just took my Gateway Review as a childminder. I have all the age group experience but little of the managerial experience. It is what you would do if you were the manager. You will get time on the course to practice interviewing a staff member, writing what you would do in a variety of managerial situations if you were in charge and to practice your four minute presentations. The course and review is nursery orientated.The Gateway Review although it sounds scary is an indicator of what else you need to be able to do/understand before you complete your tasks and have the  setting visit. The results are not included in your final assessment.

RE: RE: Early years professional status help! - 02-11-07 19:00

by: Lizzie

Hi Tunja and Hels77

Thanks for your encouraging words.  I'm feeling rather isolated and am probably worrying too much.

My tutor's advice is that I shouldn't worry and that everything will become much clearer once I am on placement.  Do you have any advice about arranging placements?  Or how I should respond when settings ask me what I am hoping to achieve while I am with them?

by: lexie

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by: Mary Burns

There are girls at my uni on the long EYPS course, they are working in settings in a variety of positions. Some of them have HND's and have been accepted onto the course. they do modules to top it up to degree level.

I am on the full time course and have completed a six week placement in birth to three. start my three to five placement in jan. i have an early childhood studies degree as well - i am just worried about getting a job afterwards!!

by: josie maley

I started the full time EYPS pathway last Sept and am finding it enjoyable but a challenge too! I have a degree but no experience in early years before I started the course.  i agree with someone earlier in the thread who said that as a student, not an employee, it is very difficult to gain the respect and credibility to 'lead and support' others with is a fundamental part of gaining EYPS.

by: Anna_bella21

I got my degree in 2006 and wanted to go into childcare and education. I then desided to take the Cache diploma in childcare and education level 3 course to get more experence. I then hope to get on EYPS course!

by: Anna_bella21

 I got my degree in 2006 and wanted to go into childcare and education. I then desided to take the Cache diploma in childcare and education level 3 course to get more experence. I then hope to get on EYPS course!

by: pinkerton

HI. I have a degree and ten years experience as a registered childminder. I have NVQ level 4, plus maths and english. I am on the validation pathway which started in February. Like everyone it seems like the pieces of the jigsaw don't fit...then suddenly it all comes together. My advice if doing the validation is to read the standards and think in advance how your practice works towards them. When you get to write the tasks you will have some great ideas and also be able to demonstrate the practice you lead. I am a support childminder and to cover the lead and support contacted the local college. They have placed a stdent with me who is studying for her NVQ level 3. We are a good team and she will help me to prove leadership and I in turn can help her with her studies. The student in my setting is happier to be with a childminder as she says she has much more responsibility with me. In the nursery she was just eft to her own devices and was bored.

So come on childminders bite the bullet and start now. We can do it.

RE: RE: Early years professional status help! - 02-06-08 00:25

by: Nim13lion

Hi, I'm a childminder awaiting my EYP result which is due in the next couple of weeks - fingers crossed the hard work has paid off.  If others are finding it difficult to gain employment in childcare why not consider becoming a childminder and be your own boss?  I have completed both my NVQ3 and EYP while childminding - the possibilties are what ever you want to make it.  I have also found that the pay is good if you ensure you keep all available spaces full!  If accomodation is an issue why not consider teaming up with another experienced childminder and work together from their setting.  Three childminders can work from one residential setting and still be classified as childminders.  Childminders are in an excellent environment to obtain EYP, so go for it if you are considering it!!

RE: RE: RE: Early years professional status help! - 02-06-08 15:40

by: rosie

Hi Nim

surley you must have a degree to do the EYP? Well done

by: EMMA!

Hey there!

I was wondering, I'm currently doing my degree, but I'm not totally sure about teaching. It is something I want to do, but now I'm worried that if I go straight frokm degree to a PGCE then decide I want to manage a nursey will my teacher status be acceptable or would I then need to undertake the EYPS?

Kind regards

Emma

by: x Tinks x

Hi everyone,

I've recently graduated with a BA Early Years Childhood Studies degree and am now waiting to begin the full-time pathway on the EYPS course.  I too havent gained my GCSE Maths, but have been accepted on the course with the view to pass my maths before June 2009.  Your university should allow you to take the equivalency test for Maths accepted by the EYPS, one which I am taking on September the 1st (fingers crossed).  So for those who are worried about their maths  you should ask about this option.  You can re-take the test as many times as you like and you are given the results withing two weeks on completion of the exam.  Good luck to you all xx