Early Years Careers Pathway and map published

The pathway includes detailed information and case studies for a variety of job roles in the early years and childcare sector.

Published on the CACHE website, the map has been designed by early years experts with the NDNA, the Pre-school Learning Alliance, PACEY, City & Guilds and the University of Northampton, supported by the DfE.

Dr Eunice Lumsden (right), head of Early Years at the University of Northampton, who contributed to the development of the Early Years Careers Progression map, told Nursery World, 'I think you will find that the CACHE site is helpful, a really important piece of work to really show the beauty of the sector and progression routes. It has been a real team approach.'

Stella Ziolkowski, the National Day Nurseries Association director for quality and training, who sat on the panel of experts looking at the new pathway,  said they would help careers advisers, schools and colleges to be able to support people working in the sector because it outlines what it means to work in early years.

‘This is a good starting point for practitioners, both new entrants and those already working in the sector, to understand the direction of travel they can expect,’ she said.

‘The Government’s next priority needs to be how to attract more talented people into the system in the first place. First and foremost, decision-makers need to look at increasing funding for the “free” entitlement to try to increase wages generally for practitioners.
‘Employers must be supported to be able to pay adequate salaries and be able to reward their high-performing staff in order to motivate them to progress further.’

• The Early Years Careers Pathway
• Download the Early Years Career Progression Map

For more information about promoting the early years sector, see https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/feature/1164826/recruitment-part-2-which-job

and next month's 'guide to' in Work Matters.