Careers and Training
To a degree
Level 6 Qualifications in Early Years Education and Childcare
The Early Years Professional Status, which was launched in 2007, has proved itself to be the gold standard of early years training and qualifications. EYPS was designed to realise the goal of a graduate-led workforce and there are already more than 8,000 of them working across the country with a further 1,800 working towards attaining their accreditation.
There are now eight lead organisations providing the training for the status under the new EYP programme for 2012-15. CWDC will provide funding for an allocated number of candidates across England, and candidates will also be able to self-fund their EYPS place.
There are now four pathways to becoming an EYP, reduced from five.
Forty universities and higher education institutions offer early years degrees, and more than 10 others provide degrees in playwork. Most are three-year courses with an entry requirement of at least two A-levels or equivalent. However, some accept students with work-related experience.
The best known early years degree is the BA (Hons) In Early Childhood Studies which concentrates on the academic knowledge and professional awareness required by those working to meet the needs of young children and their families.
A BEd (Bachelor Of Education) is an honours degree in education. Course contents vary, but all BEd graduates attain qualified teacher status in addition to their degree. The course generally takes three or four years full-time or four to six years part-time. However, undergraduate credits from previous study may enable you to complete it in two years.
Two other options are the Graduate Teacher Programme, which is an on-the-job training scheme and the Postgraduate Certificate In Education. The PGCE course focuses on developing teaching skills rather than specific subject areas so candidates are expected to have a good understanding of their chosen subject. Courses are generally one year full-time and are available at universities and colleges nationwide.
To train as a teacher, on any programme, you must achieve a standard equivalent to grade C in GCSE English Language and Mathematics. To teach primary or key stage 2/3 you must also achieve a standard equivalent to a grade C in a GCSE science subject.
EARLY YEARS PROFESSIONAL STATUS
The first intake for the new programme begins in January 2012. CWDC is funding 1,700 places for this first phase.
GCSE Grade C English and Maths will be required on entry.
There are four pathways:
Graduate practitioner pathway (6 months)
Undergraduate practitioner pathway (12 months)
Graduate entry pathway (12 months)
Undergraduate entry pathway (12 – 24 months)
www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/early-years/eypsproviders
EYPS: LEAD ORGANISATIONS AND REGIONS THEY COVER
Anglia Ruskin University
Partners: University of East London
Edge Hill University
- London, East of England, North East, North West
Best Practice Network
Partners:
Middlesex University
Canterbury Christ Church College
- South East, London, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber, South West
Kingston University
Partners:
London Metropolitan University
University of Reading
Buckinghamshire New University
University of Hertfordshire
- London, South East
Manchester Metropolitan University
Partners:
CETAD Lancaster University
Bradford College, Derby University
Huddersfield University
Liverpool Hope University
University of Chester
University of Cumbria
Sheffield Hallam University
University of Northumbria
Teesside University
University of Sunderland
- East Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and Humber, North East
Eastern Leadership Centre
Partners:
University of East Anglia
University Campus Suffolk
University of Hertfordshire
Pen Green Research Centre
- East of England
University of Northampton
Partners:
Nottingham Trent University,
Bishop Grosseteste, University
College
- East Midlands
University of Chichester
Partners:
University of Brighton,
Canterbury Christ Church University,
University of Portsmouth,
University of Winchester,
Tribal Group plc
- London, South East
University of Worcester
Partners:
University of Gloucestershire,
University College Plymouth
St Mark & St John, Somerset
Centre for Integrated Learning (SCIL)
- South West, Midlands
HONOURS DEGREES
There are some 40 universities and higher education institutions offering early years degrees, and an additional ten or more offering study in playwork.
In addition to Early Childhood Studies (see below), degrees in Childhood Education and Culture, Education and Child Development and Health with Child Development are offered.
Most are three-year courses with an entry requirement of at least two A-levels or equivalent, although each institution will have its own entry requirements and syllabus. Some universities will accept students with work-related experience rather than formal academic qualifications.
Details of Playwork sector-endorsed higher education courses can be found at www.playworkactivepassport.com/SectorSkills/UserSearch.asp
BA (HONS) IN EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDIES
The focus of this degree, provided by universities and colleges, is on the academic knowledge and professional awareness that is required by those who work to meet the needs of young children and their families.
Five GCSE passes are required, although entry is also available to those who may have no formal qualifications but who can demonstrate either relevant work or voluntary experience. The course is three years full-time and includes a work-placed visits feature in some units.
Course content: There is a range of core and compulsory units which enable the student to select a route appropriate to them. Includes social, psychological and physical perspectives on child development, and issues arising from working with children in a variety of professional settings.
BA (HONS) PLAYWORK
This degree focuses on reflective playwork practice and usually includes an element of placement in the first and second years. It is provided by a number of universities over three years full-time (and sometimes up to six years part-time) as well as being offered by blended/distance learning by one university. Entry requirements vary across institutions.
TEACHING
BACHELOR OF EDUCATION
A BEd is an honours degree in education. Course content may vary according to the university or college that is providing it, but all BEd graduates receive qualified teacher status in addition to their degree.
The course generally takes three or four years full-time or four to six years part-time. However, if you have undergraduate credits from previous study you may be able to complete it in two years.
To train as a teacher, on any programme, you must achieve a standard equivalent to grade C in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.
If, however, you would like to teach primary or key stage 2/3 you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in a GCSE science subject.
GRADUATE TEACHER PROGRAMME
The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an on-the-job training programme that allows graduates to qualify as a teacher while they work.
On the GTP, graduates are employed by a school, earn a salary and work towards qualified teacher status. It's a good choice if you want to change to a teaching career but need to continue earning while you train.
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (PGCE)
A PGCE course focuses on developing teaching skills rather than on a specific subject area, and therefore candidates are expected to already have a good understanding of their chosen subject.
Courses generally last for one year full-time or up to two years part-time, and are available at universities and colleges nationwide.
It is also possible to study for a PGCE through flexible, distance learning through a number of universities, including the Open University.
Candidates must have a UK undergraduate degree or recognised equivalent qualification, a standard equivalent to at least a grade C in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.
If you want to teach primary or key stage 2/3 (ages 7 to 14), then you must have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in a science subject.
UNDERSTANDING QUALIFICATIONS CHANGE
The Statutory Framework for the EYFS sets out the requirements for staff:child ratios and the qualification levels that practitioners must hold. CWDC defines 'full and relevant' qualifications that practitioners included in the specified ratios must hold.
The Early Years Qualifications List is a searchable tool designed to help those delivering the EYFS to identify which qualifications are considered full and relevant. It also lists qualifications that, together with accredited additional learning, could enable a practitioner's package of accredited learning to be viewed as 'full and relevant'.
Since 2010, early years qualifications have been migrating from the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). According to regulator Ofqual, the QCF is a new way of recognising skills and qualifications, by awarding credit for qualifications and units (small steps of learning).
QCF qualifications fall into three categories:
Award - 1-12 credits
Certificate - 13-36 credits
Diploma - 37+ credits
Registration on some NQF qualifications has been extended and for up-to-date information it is important to refer to CWDC's Qualifications List.
Go to http://qualificationslist.cwdcouncil.org.ukor call the helpline on 0300 123 1033.
