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Early Years Professional Status Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible?

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) is a graduate level status, so to be eligible to apply for one of the pathways you will need to have a degree or recognised equivalent. Some examples of relevant qualifications are as follows:

  • Bachelors/Masters Degree
  • Cert Ed (before 1980)
  • Foundation Degree in Early Years
  • PGCE
  • Degree with QTS (from 1984)

You must also have or be working towards:

  • GCSE Maths Grade C or above, or a recognised equivalent
  • GCSE English Grade C or above, or a recognised equivalent

Please note, For the Validation, Short EPD and Full Training pathways, the achievement of GCSE Maths and English grade ‘C’ or above (or equivalent) is an entrance requirement before starting the programme.

For our Part time pathways you will need to be working within the Early Years Private, Voluntary or Independent (PVI) sector. Examples of appropriate settings are: full day care settings, Children's Centres, sessional care settings and childminders.

Individuals involved in training the early years workforce in PVI settings and Children's Centres, such as Early Years Advisory Teachers, LA Early Years development workers and FE Teachers, may also be eligible to do EYPS. However anybody working within the maintained primary or nursery school sector only are not eligible at present.

For those who are interested in the full training pathway, please note you must show you have gained some knowledge and experience of an Early Years setting (a taster or voluntary work) before applying.

Please contact Laura Little if you are unsure of your eligibility.

GCSE Maths and English

As long as you have a grade D then an equivalency test can be arranged for you. If you feel you need to strengthen your skills before sitting the equivalency test we can provide information regarding courses and the best resources to support you.

Attendance

Regardless of which pathway you choose, all candidates will go through the same training and preparation. There are 4 training days to learn more about EYPS, and prepare you for the Gateway Review and the EYPS assessment. You will also attend for half a day Gateway Review, have one day personal study and one day for your setting visit. In total 6.5 days spread out over the duration of four months as part of the Validation Pathway. Dates of attendance will be provided in line with which pathway you are on during induction.

It may be that you choose to do modules to enhance gaps in knowledge, or if you are on the Long EPD Pathway and are topping up from a Foundation degree to a Full degree then modules will be mandatory to gain the required number of credits. On the Full Training Pathway it is also a mandatory requirement to do Early Years modules as you may not have an Early Years related degree and will not be currently working in the sector.

Placements

Candidates on the Full Training Pathway will attend three placements throughout the duration of the programme and be required to complete at least 18 weeks in total. Candidates will be expected to travel to their allocated placements approx 2-3 days a week, which will all be based within the Birmingham area.

Placements are a mandatory requirement in order to complete the Full Training Pathway; however candidates on other pathways may also be advised to attend placement if we feel there are any gaps in experience across

working with the 0-5 years age bracket and individuals do not have access to working with that specific age group at their own setting, for example working with babies.

Will I receive funding?

The amount of funding you will receive will depend upon which pathway you are on:

Validation Short EPD Long EPD Full Training
Tuition Fees Yes Yes Yes Yes
Supply Cover Yes (£500 to setting) Yes (£1000 to setting) Yes (£4000 to setting) Yes (£5000 bursary)
Mentor Costs No Mentor Yes Yes Yes

Note : Please remember you must be eligible for EYPS to receive funding.

Candidates involved in training the early years workforce in PVI settings and Children's Centres, such as advisory teachers, LA Early Years development workers and FE teachers are eligible for the fee support only. They are not eligible for mentor costs or supply cover.