EYP Update: Leadership Q&A - A valid switch
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
David Wright spent 25 years in computing before switching to the early years sector
- When and why did you switch careers?
My wife Anna started a pre-school in our house in Southampton 18 years ago. In 2000 we moved to our first Paint Pots nursery and then expanded to a second nursery. I had always been interested in childcare and qualified with a Level 3 NVQ. I genuinely like children. I was becoming increasingly disenchanted with the corporate world and my wife and I had always wanted to work together. So about four years ago, when one of our managers was leaving, I joined full time and took on managing the nursery. We have since expanded to four nurseries.
- Why did you opt to attain EYP status?
I believe EYPS provides a rigorous standard for both experienced practitioners and graduate-level candidates from outside the childcare profession. It is one useful means of raising the status of the profession. It makes a statement or declaration of seriousness of intent. I undertook the Validation Pathway as part of the pilot when no one had heard of EYPS - but now you can't open a publication without reading about it. That is a good thing. On a personal level, attaining the status is a process which helps you to reflect across all areas and to realise the consequences and influence of what is a pivotal role, affecting staff, carers and of course children.
If we are to achieve the goal of providing each child's entitlement to develop their potential and find their way in the world with a sense of self-worth, fun, awe and wonder, we have to become passionate about what we do and ensure we deliver the best experience we are able to each day. Or, as we put it in our nursery motto, to ensure that 'love, laughter and learning' takes place. That's why I opted to attain EYPS.
- Which Pathway did you undertake?
The Validation Pathway, as part of the pilot. I was already a graduate and had experience of working in childcare. However, I believe that I have a huge amount still to learn and I also have enormous respect for my colleagues, including my wife, who is currently studying to try to make us the first married EYP couple in the country. Humility and deference are essential characteristics for an EYP.
- How did it equip you for early years leadership?
The term Validation is a good one. The process of preparing evidence to demonstrate attainment of the 39 standards entails reflection on personal knowledge, skills and experience of each area, and your ability to lead others.
- What leadership skills do you employ?
The EYP role is fundamentally about people and relationships. What are we all working for? The best outcomes for children in terms of their safety, welfare and development and realising their potential. Leadership is about setting the direction and taking others with you. That includes staff, parents and children. There are elements of management - people and resources, training and encouragement, research, diplomacy, setting strategy, communication, modelling, defining policy, monitoring, being approachable and accountable and being willing to muck in as part of the team.
- How has EYPS enhanced your practice and leadership?
It has given me a determination to develop my practice, to research, network and pinch ideas to improve what our team does. I think it has given me increased confidence and belief in my own values and abilities and the mandate to work with others for the best outcomes for our children.
- What are your career plans?
We want all our nurseries to provide outstanding experiences for our children every day. We want to make a difference in the lives of the children we care for. We want to do our bit to influence the lives of the next generation, for good. As a man, I know that our gender is tragically under-represented in the workforce and I want to campaign for men to come and provide desperately needed role models for children and for the necessary changes in attitude to occur, to enable this to happen.