Early Years Professional Status

What is Early Years Professional Status (EYPS)?

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) is a professional accreditation endorsed by the Government for graduate practitioners who can demonstrate a set of professional standards and which recognises their expertise as practitioners and professional leaders. Through assessment, practitioners will demonstrate their knowledge and experience across the full 0-5 age range.

Background to EYPS

The first five years of life are critical in children's development. Research has shown that the quality of early years provision is higher in those settings that employ graduate trained staff and the positive effects are greater for disadvantaged children. The effects of high quality provision have been shown to be long lasting improving chances at primary school and beyond. A longitudinal study of the first phase of EYPS has made similar conclusions.

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) pathways

Kingston University KEY Partnership Consortium offers four pathways to the Early Years Professional Status (EYPS):

The four pathways to Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) are:

• EYPS Graduate Practitioner Pathway (GPP) - 6 months (part time)
• EYPS Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway (UPP) - 12 months (part time)
• EYPS Undergraduate Entry Pathway (UEP) - 12 months (full time)
• EYPS Graduate Entry Pathway (GEP) - 12 months (full time)

Training and assessment pathways

To cater for candidates from a range of backgrounds, settings or roles there are four routes to achieve Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).

EYPS Graduate Practitioner Pathway (GPP) - 6 months (part time)

Designed for graduates currently working in the sector with experience who require a small amount of learning or further experience before they can demonstrate the EYP Standards. Candidates may be required to undertake a 2 week placement in an appropriate setting. However, depending on experience this may be extended to four weeks.

EYPS Undergraduate Practitioner Pathway (UPP) - 12 months (part time)

Designed for experienced employees with an Early Years foundation degree currently working in the sector who require a small amount of learning or further experience before they can demonstrate the EYP Standards. Candidates may be required to undertake a 2 week placement in an appropriate setting.

EYPS Undergraduate Entry Pathway (UEP) - 12 months (full time)

Designed for undergraduates in the the final or penultimate year of an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Studies. Candidates will undertake university-based tutorials and block placements in appropriate Early Years settings.

This pathway is not currently offered by Kingston University, though is offered by other institutions in the KEY Partnership:

• London Metropolitan University (funded and self-funded places)
• University of Hertfordshire (self-funded places only)

EYPS Graduate Entry Pathway (GEP) - 12 months (full time)

Designed for graduates new to the workforce with little or no experience of working with young children. Candidates will undertake university-based tutorials and block placements in appropriate early years settings.

Why Kingston University?

• EYPS was piloted in September 2006 and rolled out across England from January 2007 - Kingston University has been involved from the very outset and has consistently maintained a high standard of tuition and results throughout
• In recent years the Guardian League Table has rated Kingston University School of Education in the top 5 in the country for Education courses
• Kingston University has one of the largest collaborative working partnership in the country
• All candidates are offered a personalised learning plan
• Kingston University has a cutting edge interprofessional suite of courses for practitioners working in any aspect of the children's workforce
• The EYPS course is taught by a team of Early Years experienced staff
• A mentoring programme is in place to provide advice and support
• Kingston University works regularly with local authority early years advisors and workforce development officers across London and the South East to deliver a fit for purpose programme to meet employers' needs
• The programmes are located at the picturesque Kingston Hill campus, with easy access to London and Surrey

Kingston University lead the KEY Partnership, a consortium of five exceptional universities delivering EYPS across London and the South East.