Early Years Professionals total passes 10,000
Vesela Gladicheva
Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Government praised Early Years Professionals in England for their work, as their number reached more than 10,000.
Nafeesah Rafiq became the 10,000th person to obtain Early Years Professional Status (EYPS). Ms Rafiq, who studied at the University of Northampton, now works at private day nursery Bright Bees in Leicester.
Established in 2007, the EYPS programme was established to help people to get the skills they need to become graduate leaders in early education. Today, one in four early years settings in England employs at least one Early Years Professional.
Sarah Teather, Minister for Children and Families, said, ‘Early Years Professionals are making a huge difference to young children’s lives. I am delighted that the Teaching Agency has reached the major milestone of 10,000 Early Years Professionals.
‘This means that more and more skilled professionals are helping young children to get the best possible start in life. We know that they make a particular impact on those who are among the most disadvantaged.’Ms Rafiq, who said she found the EYPS programme a challenging and rewarding experience, said, ‘I originally studied to be a pharmacist but after achieving my Master’s degree I changed career direction and found a passion for working with children.’
Lin Hinnigan, interim chief executive of the Teaching Agency, commented, ‘Every day, throughout England, Early Years Professionals like Nafeesah are working with our under-fives and their families to make a world of difference to our young children’s lives. Early Years Professionals help to raise the quality of childcare and improve outcomes for all our children.’
Jeanne Barczewska, senior lecturer in early years and senior assessor for EYPS at the University of Northampton, said, ‘I was delighted that the Teaching Agency had decided to present Nafeesah with her certificate and commented positively on the impact that EYPs had made and have been making. This acknowledgment of the 10,000th EYP is a testament to the EYPS’ progress.’
Professor Cathy Nutbrown concluded in her report that EYPS should be replaced by a new early years specialist teaching qualification. Commenting on this, Mrs Barczewska said, ‘Whilst it’s really important that we work together in terms of early years and teaching, I hope that early years manages to retain its own sense of professionalism. It’s important that those with specific early years qualifications get recognised.’
