Ms Leeve accessed the former Transformation Fund through Bromley council to support herself and her setting while she undertook training to become an EYP, and is now helping other staff to continue their professional development through the Graduate Leader Fund (GLF).
She says, 'Under the Transformation Fund I was able to pursue the Short Pathway through Greenwich University, while three other members of staff pursued a mixture of level 4 and 5 qualifications through the Open University and subsequently four others have been funded for their level 3.
'The Short Pathway was ideal for me, allowing me to visit settings across the borough to fill in my gaps of knowledge with children from birth to two. My deputy was also working towards a foundation degree, so having a shared training focus on current developments in early years enabled us to reflect more effectively on our practice and initiate a number of changes in our setting.
'At first we were not sure how the GLF was going to be of benefit, but we have now received money for my deputy to complete the foundation degree and have been granted an Early Years Professional Achievement Award through Bromley. This has provided funds towards paying the EYP's salary, to implement the EYFS and for the professional development of all staff.
'I believe EYPS has sharpened the focus on having a degree. It will be good to see strong career opportunities open up for those with EYPS.'
- The rigour of the EYP assessment process was explained and discussed in an open forum at two one-day events hosted by CWDC in London and Leeds. Information on the assessment process can be found at www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/eyps/how-to-become-an-eyp.
The issue of having a degree. It seems that currently, many of the people embarking on the status are already committed to early years and are passionate about what they do. In the long term EYPS will have to attract a much larger group of people, including those who have a degree in unrelated areas but who are committed to the idea of working in the sector. It will be good to see strong career opportunities within existing settings opening up for those who have achieved EYPS.'
