While the Government has made clear its intention to have an Early Years Professional leading practice in children's centres by 2010, it seems that this will not necessarily fuel a rush of new vacancies.
As James Hempsall, director of Hempsall Consultancies points out, 'First, not all children's centres will require an EYP. Current guidance states that by 2010 all children's centres offering early years provision are expected to employ an EYP.'
Children's centres serving the 30 per cent most disadvantaged areas in England will need to provide daycare and therefore employ an EYP as part of it. Opportunities for EYPs in the remaining 70 per cent will vary depending upon the level of local need and demand.
'Another consideration is that children's centres have a qualified teacher in post already,' adds Mr Hempsall. 'The EYP training pathway for those with QTS currently working in early years is likely to be short and part-time in nature. So many centres may be growing their own EYP, who may currently be a QTS or another staff member. For this reason there may not be many job advertisements around for the post.'
Children's centres in Leeds, for example, are supporting existing staff aiming to achieve EYPS. Currently there are around 35 practitioners in the city who have achieved the status.
Leeds Early Years Service wants all centres providing daycare to employ two lead EYFS practitioners with EYPS. Assistant managers and qualified teachers are viewed as the most appropriate people to achieve the status. These two colleagues should work closely together in leading EYFS practice.
Assistant managers who need to work towards graduate qualifications will be supported by the council.
Centres in Leeds that do not offer daycare are unlikely to gain an EYP. For centres where the daycare is delivered by another provider, for example a private nursery, it is intended that an EYP be employed in that provision, supported through the Graduate Leader Fund.
