Parents polled on graduate EYPs
Simon Vevers
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Parents want early years professionals to adhere to clear standards and possess knowledge, skills and relevant experience, but some parents believe that a degree may not be crucial, a report from the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) revealed last week. The CWDC asked 45 children and 29 parents and carers what they thought of the draft standards and what skills and behaviour they would expect from EYPs.
The CWDC asked 45 children and 29 parents and carers what they thought of the draft standards and what skills and behaviour they would expect from EYPs.
Parents believed standards for EYPs should set out clearly what they need to know and be able to do, with a rigorous system for ensuring they meet them. They had mixed opinions about the requirement for an EYP to have a degree, with a proportion saying instead that it was 'vital that they should speak and write clearly in English'.
While many favoured EYPs obtaining degrees, some parents argued that 'strong practical skills' were more important than academic qualifications.
'There would need to be a requirement for a certain level of experience and quality assurance to make sure that candidates met other standards that cannot be assessed through an academic process,' the CWDC report stated.
One six year-old said that nursery staff need to 'talk to your parents to tell them how good you are and what you have done and what you have learned'. A four-year-old said that she wanted an EYP to listen to her like her keyworker does. The report emphasised that listening was regarded as an essential skill by the children interviewed.
Children said that an EYP 'shouldn't shout' and that they should teach children that 'you mustn't hurt people because they cry, or hit or smack.
You have to play nicely with other children and share'.
Jane Haywood, CWDC chief executive, said, 'There were some particularly poignant remarks made during the consultation which have helped to shape the standards and prospectus. We hope the report will help reveal some of the thinking behind the standards, and provide a source of insight into the needs of children, which will help practitioners across the workforce.'
