Sector endorsed early years foundation degree: Good for business

Over the years Kingston University's sector-endorsed Early Years Foundation Degree (EYFD) has grown in recognition as a vocational qualification, offering work-based practitioners a flexible way of achieving an academic qualification and working towards a full degree and, since 2007, a route to EYPS.

A key success to the growth of the EYFD has been the strength in working collaboratively with nine FE partner colleges to develop and deliver the EYFD to work based practitioners.

The EYFD has been an important part of the aspiration for a graduate-led workforce, supported by local authorities under the former Graduate Leader Fund.

The aim of Kingston University's research was to find out if its content continues to be of value to the early years labour market and whether its work-based learning delivery model supports the needs of employers.

As the sole researcher, it was important to establish the extent to which employers are currently engaged with the EYFD and hear their evidence for its impact on practitioners' personal growth and their early years practice.

The research questions raised were:

1. How is the EYFD perceived by employers today?

2. Is the Foundation degree 'fit for purpose' in order to develop higher level skills and knowledge required to work within the children and young people's workforce?

KEY FINDINGS

A qualitative research approach was used, involving interviews with 16 employers and their staff who included day nursery managers, deputy managers, pre-school leaders, area managers, children's centre deputy and manager and training and development co-ordinators.

The response was overwhelmingly positive and suggests that the EYFD has an important part to play in continuing to develop the workforce. There was strong recognition among employers that it gave a good return on investment, with qualified individuals ensuring that their settings are up to date with legislation, policy, practice and research. Significantly, these individuals were able to motivate other team members and create a positive, aspirational culture.

The resounding impact on practice of staff doing the EYFD was new-found confidence and understanding of their roles with a willingness to lead others and share knowledge. One pre-school leader said that as an employer she now has more knowledgeable staff with 'a better understanding of what they do and how they do it'. A children's centre manager said that staff have gained confidence and become more reflective practitioners.

All interviewees emphasised that everything learnt on the course is relevant to the work setting. Employers' interpretation of work-based learning was regarded as 'the best feature of the EYFD'.

The research supports the idea that the two-year, work-based foundation degree has earned its place within the framework for higher education qualifications and is considered 'the' qualification for anyone aspiring to broaden their knowledge. All employers identified that the Foundation degree is a relevant and purposeful progression route into higher academic work, aligning with the Wilson Report (2012) that highlighted how business and university collaboration during the past decade has seen important cultural changes whereby gradual workforce reform has been delivered through belief, commitment and leadership in universities, in business and in government. The research recommends that Foundation degrees should be reaffirmed as a qualification in their own right rather than as a stepping stone to an honours degree.

Most important, employers consider that opportunities for the sector have increased since Foundation degrees were introduced. EYFD has also helped to raise recognition of the early years among other professionals such as teachers and the health sector.

MOVING FORWARD

As part of the research, employers show they are keen to be involved in future programme development of the Kingston University Foundation degrees and recently contributed towards a review of the academic framework. All employers favour the flexible work-based learning model and emphasise a practice-led approach to transfer skills and knowledge, with assessment linked directly to higher level thinking to raise the quality of practice. There also needs to be continued emphasis on practitioners as researchers and all employers interviewed said that the degree enables practitioners to gain recognition for their work enabling them to enhance their professional development.

The EYFD will continue to provide a specialised route for work-based learners to achieve graduate status leading to Early Years Teacher Status or alternatively opportunities to study at MA or PhD level.

Finally, all employers emphasised that the EYFD is essential for their staff today and regard it as part of their future vision as an investment in their business.

My journey at Bright Horizons commenced as a nursery manager. Working in Surrey I was made aware of the possibility of completing the Foundation degree and subsequent BA at Kingston University. I have always been keen to upskill and take on additional knowledge. My regional manager at the time supported me in my application.

My deputy manager and team were also integral to my decision. I had a great team and knew that they would engage in the new knowledge and learning opportunities it brought them also.

The Foundation degree reinforced my knowledge and enhanced my practice. I further developed my written style and was able to produce pieces of academic work that added value to my setting and myself. The degree gave me a broader view of the sector, the external environment and associated professionals. It gave me the opportunity to progress further in my role: I became a regional manager which developed further opportunities for my team. Following on from this, two of my management team went on to Kingston University to complete their Foundation degrees. I completed my BA in 2010.

Yasmin Mukadam is a senior lecturer and early years liaison officer at Kingston University

Further information

Contact y.Mukadam@kingston.ac.uk.