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Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)

University College Birmingham is a Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) approved provider for the training, preparation and assessment of candidates towards Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

Our college-based provision and links to numerous Early Years settings, allows us to tailor several of the pathways to the needs of the individual, thus ensuring any needs or gaps in knowledge or experience can be addressed effectively in preparation for final assessment against the standards.

For more information about the course at University College Birmingham please see our EYPS Leaflet . A full description of the four pathways, with detailed information on EYPS in general can be found in the CWDC Prospectus .

You may already have heard about EYPS through a CWDC document titled A Head Start for All that has been distributed nationally to all registered Early Years settings. If you have not seen this very useful document, a copy is available here .

What is EYPS?

  • EYPS is a recognisable status equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It is not a qualification
  • EYPS is awarded to those early years practitioners who can demonstrate they are leading and delivering excellent practice in line with a set of national Standards
  • Early Years Professionals are key to raising the quality of early years provision, modelling the skills and behaviours that safeguard children and promoting good outcomes for children
  • EYPS will open up new career opportunities across the Early Years sector and will also attract and retain new individuals in the Early Years workforce
  • People who are awarded EYPS will have demonstrated that they meet a comprehensive set of Standards which demand they can lead and deliver effective practice. CWDC believes that over time only those with EYPS will lead the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Who is EYPS for?

Although a degree is necessary to become an EYP, EYPS is aimed at both:

  • The committed people currently working in the Early Years workforce who are looking for the next step in their career
  • Graduates from other fields who may wish to work in early years.

How to become an EYP

There are four training and development pathways , or routes, people can follow to become an EYP. These different pathways are designed to recognise the range of skills, experience and backgrounds that potential EYPs may have. Examples include:

  • Someone with an Early Childhood Studies Degree and a number of years working in the Early Years sector could potentially undertake the three month validation pathway.
  • Someone with an Early Years Foundation Degree and less experience may be required to take the long EPD pathway to develop the necessary skills to meet the Standards.

Financial help available

Financial help is available to make it as easy as possible, for as many people as possible, to become EYPS. CWDC has allocated its share of the fund for training providers to:

  • Cover the full cost of each candidate's course fees
  • Fund a mentor to provide support and guidance to each candidate
  • Pay for supply cover to free up candidates' time to go on a part-time training course OR a £5,000 bursary for candidates on the full-time pathway.

Financial support may also be available from local authorities - contact your own LA for details.

Further information

Further information on EYPS, including FAQs can be found on the CWDC website www.cwdcouncil.org.uk .

For general information on college EYPS courses, please call the College on 0121 693 5959 or email marketing@ucb.ac.uk . For specific enquiries, please contact Caroline Prior on 0121 243 0165 or email eyps@ucb.ac.uk .

How to Apply and FAQ's

An application form can be downloaded here.

For any further questions relating to the EYPS, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions .