Sandra Harwood has just completed the training aspect of the EYP full training pathway at Edge Hill University and is about to embark on the assessment and validation process.
Her plan for evidence includes: S35 Influence and shape the policies and practices of the setting and share in collective responsibility for their implementation; and S36 Contribute to the work of a multi-professional team and co-ordinate and implement agreed programmes and interventions on a day-to-day basis.
Sandra's nine-month training has consisted of nine academic modules at Edge Hill plus three setting-based placements. Her previous placements involved working with children from birth to five years, culminating in the final placement with a focus on developing leadership skills. For this, Sandra worked in Moorgate Nursery School and Children's Centre in Ormskirk, Lancashire, where head Jan Holmes and extended services co-ordinator Isabel Sutherland have supported her with a breadth of excellent opportunities and a considerable amount of outreach work.
Moorgate Nursery School has worked closely with Edge Hill for many years and Sandra was fortunate enough to be placed there just as the new children's centre opened, providing her with opportunities for establishing policy, practice and multi-agency links.
Policies and practice
Standard 35 predominantly looks at the candidate's familiarity with the policies and practices of the setting and the way in which they implement them and lead others. Sandra's documentary evidence of meeting Standard 35 will include a policy she shaped and implemented for the terms and conditions of bookings and payments in the nursery daycare room, and a policy for protecting children from the sun which she and her student partner devised.
Working with others
For standard 36 the candidate needs to show they are pro-active in working with others within or outside their settings to ensure the best learning and development opportunities for children. Sandra has workd with Isabel on new initiatives at this early stage in the life of the children's centre, including FACE (Fathers and Children Engage). She has attended meetings with the group of involved settings, and could show minutes or notes from those meetings.
Sandra has also represented the children's centre at meetings and on home visits as part of its work with other agencies, like Homestart.
Isabel is to be one of Sandra's witnesses during her setting visit and will talk about Sandra's work to her assessor.
For more information on pathways to becoming an EYP visit www.cwdcouncil.org.
