EYPS is an exciting new Government initiative aimed at raising the quality of early years provision in the UK. All good early years practitioners understand that a stimulating environment can give young children the confidence to flourish. There is a need for reflective practitioners with the knowledge, skills and understanding to lead a team in creating and developing opportunities to extend children’s learning in the early years sector, and become ’agents for change’.

• Are you a graduate working in an early years setting?
• Are you dedicated to helping children achieve their full potential?
• Would you like to take a leading role in raising the quality of early years provision?

If yes, then Bath Spa University is offering flexible professional development for graduates interested in becoming an Early Years Professional. Four fully funded pathways are available, depending on your knowledge and experience, with extra funding for your employer while you study.

• Long Extended Professional Development (EPD) - 15 months part-time for those in employment in an Early Years setting seeking further professional development and experience. Also suitable for Early Years Foundation Degree candidates who ’top up’ to a BA (Hons) degree while working towards EYPS.
• Short Extended Professional Development (EPD) - six months part-time for those in practice with extensive knowledge who need to consolidate their experience of working with babies, toddlers and young children up to the age of five.
• Validation Pathway - four months part-time for those in practice with substantial knowledge and experience of early years.
• Full-time Pathway (1 year) - for graduates without early years experience. Tax-free bursaries of £5,000 available.

Start dates in September 2008, January and April 2009 with teaching based in Bath, Bristol and Wiltshire. For the Long, Short and Validation pathways you must be employed in a non-maintained setting or children’s centre for a minimum of 16 hours per week. Programme is in collaboration with five local authorities; Bath, Bristol, Wiltshire, North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Excellent career opportunities
Recognition of the importance of the early years sector has never been higher. The new Childcare Act 2006 aims to transform childcare and early years services in England for generations to come, so that all children get the best start possible in the vital early years, namely the 0-5 range. The government’s aim is to have Early Years Professionals (EYPs) in all Children’s Centres offering early years provision by 2010 and in all full daycare settings by 2015. Well qualified graduates who meet the professional standards will be key to leading and implementing the ambitious programme of improvement and change, so career prospects for graduates with EYPS are excellent.

Why Chose Bath Spa?
Bath Spa University has been selected by the Government to become one of a network of national training providers who will be working with the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC) and local agencies to provide preparation and assessment for EYPS. In order to become an EYPS training provider the University demonstrated that it is able to provide training of the highest standards in regional centres, so you can be confident of professionalism and expertise second to none.

We offer a tailor made programme of taught modules with opportunities to gain a national award in Early Years or to study at master’s level in addition to EYPS.

If you feel you can make a difference to the lives of babies, young children and their families please contact us now.